Senior officials at the North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agency (NMWTRA) have admitted that errors had been made over roadworks on the A487 north of Cardigan, which have caused huge tailbacks in both directions.

For the past couple of weeks motorists have been caught up in traffic jams reaching back from Cardigan Bypass to Penparc caused by The North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agency’s ongoing and extensive street-lighting replacement programme, according to the Tivyside Advertiser.

Some drivers are now demanding to know why engineers embarked on such a huge and lengthy project during peak holiday season, while others have reported that motorists desperate to beat the jams are using back roads around Ferwig and Mwnt as short cuts – therefore adding to the holiday traffic already using those routes.

“We apologise for the delays on August 4,” an NMWTRA spokesperson said. “This was caused by street lighting refurbishment. NMWTRA have investigated and the work area set out appears to have been too long […] measures were taken at the time to reduce the delays. If the delays continue, works will be stopped and done out of hours.”

However, their apology has failed to placate Cardigan county councillor Elaine Evans who has complained bitterly about the ongoing ‘chaos’.

“Although we have had a positive response from NMWRTA when I contacted them, the continuing problems are unacceptable,” she said. “I will continue to press NMWRTA to sort out the long delays as soon as possible. This is peak season for Cardigan and I have already seen talk on social media of people avoiding town because of the delays.

“I’m sure these larger companies don’t realise the fall-out caused by all these works. Whilst they are needed I have to question the timing.”

In an email to Cllr Evans, NMWRTA explained that while their street works team would not usually allow works to take place within the summer holidays, the Welsh Government gave special permission for them to continue into the summer embargo period.

(Pic: Mapillary)