Work starts on £5m road scheme

Work is finally starting after a public inquiry four years ago

Work has started on a £5m road improvement project in Gwynedd after years of local campaigning.

The four mile stretch of the A497 between Pwllheli and Cricieth has been an accident black spot.

People have been campaigning for 15 years for the road to be widened, due to a series of minor accidents on the narrowest parts.

The scheme by Gwynedd council has been backed by the Assembly Government.

The existing road between Llanystumdwy and Abererch has also caused problems for bus companies.

"You get such good roads until you get closer to Pwllheli - it's awful travelling this way," said Herbert Jones, a bus driver and the owner of Caelloi, coach company.

Setbacks

"The worst part is near the old Butlin's camp, there have been so many crashes with lorries and cars.

"This is an A-class road and I do hope that the work will make a great improvement. It will take the strain off the drivers."

Gwynedd Councillor Margaret Griffith said she was delighted the work had started.

"We've been campaigning for over 15 years and I have to pinch myself," she said.

"We've had a lot of setbacks over the years but now things look better.

"I think everyone is glad and we hope that the new improved road will be much safer and bring a better future to the Llyn Peninsula."