P-05 -690 – Resurfacing of the A40 Raglan- Abergavenny Road – Nick Ramsay AM to the Committee 31.08.2016
Submission to the Petitions Committee from Nick Ramsay AM ref P-05-690 date: 13th September 2016
A40 Resurfacing between Abergavenny and Raglan
I have been supporting local residents in my Monmouth constituency for over eight years in their campaign for the concrete surface of the A40 between Abergavenny and Raglan to be replaced with modern “whisper tarmac” to reduce noise levels for those living near the busy road. The concrete surface is nearing the end of its life and is one of the few remaining surfaces of its type in Wales.
In December 2013 the then Minister for Natural Resources and Food, Alun Davies AM, wrote to me confirming that the A40 between Abergavenny and Raglan had been listed as a priority area under the new noise action plan and stated in his letter that “The timing of any resurfacing work will however be dependent on budgets available.”
Subsequent correspondence with Edwina Hart AM, as Minister for Economy and Transport implied that the road surface would be replaced once the necessary funding was in place. However, in late 2015 the Minister advised that rather than resurfacing the road it was now proposed to erect fencing to reduce noise levels for local residents.
This latest proposal by the Welsh Government to erect a noise barrier alongside part of the A40 is not considered acceptable by my constituents as it will not offer protection from noise to all properties. Throughout their campaign my constituents have been fighting for modern tarmac to reduce the existing noisy concrete surface. As the concrete surface is nearing the end of its life its replacement will in any event be required before much longer.
I have been in correspondence with the Welsh Government and a succession of Ministers over the last eight years supporting my constituents in their campaign and hope that their views will be given serious consideration and the road surface replaced without further delay.
Nick Ramsay
Nick Ramsay AM Constituency office - 16 Maryport Street, Usk. NP15 1AB
Tel. 01291 674898