Bus companies Stagecoach & Phil Anslow criticize Pontypool roadwork citing delays and disruption to bus routes.
Bus companies are annoyed by the delays. The road work makes services run late. Stagecoach says things aren’t coordinated well. This upsets bus riders a lot.
Phil Anslow said this hurts bus and school routes. Buses will be late during the road work. They worked hard to get riders back after COVID, and this could make them start over.
Hanbury Road will close for two months. This key route will close in both directions for sewer work improvements. Work starts February 10.
The road work plan is controversial. Local officials and Welsh Water are debating it. Welsh Water owns the sewer network.
The council will pay £455,000 for the upgrade because Welsh Water won’t pay for it themselves. The council will use UK funds, but this may stop future projects.
Fiona Cross questioned why Welsh Water won’t help. She spoke at a council meeting about it.
The road closure is between two roads. A detour will use the A4043 road, where people should expect some delays.
Michele Mitchell said they must close roads for utility companies to do their work. Public safety comes first.
They could not avoid closing the road fully. They know this impacts people in town. Buses were discussed with companies in December, and they tried to lessen the impact to passengers.