The Eryri mountain pass that could have carried the A55 bypass - North Wales Live

While drivers often bemoan the A55 on days when roadworks or a crash is causing traffic delays these are nothing compared to before the expressway was completed. Back in the early 1980s a journey from say Abergele to Holyhead meant travelling through various coastal towns - from Colwyn Bay to Conwy and Penmaenmawr.

Over the years the dual carriageway was extended across the North Wales coast - but it was certainly not without its challenges and fierce debates. In fact, the A55 we know now could have been very different if alternative proposals were followed. It could have also changed a peaceful rural landscape.

It had been the objective of successive Governments at that time to improve the the A55 - bringing it to dual carriageway standard all the way from the English border to Bangor - with it later extending to Holyhead.

Among the big debates was how to navigate towns like Colwyn Bay and also cross the Afon Conwy. Debates in Parliament in the 60s and 70s often show the feeling of powerlessness of Welsh members and highlight the debate even then over devolution for Wales.

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At the time the Welsh Office were pushing forward proposals for a dual carriageway through the heart of Colwyn Bay, the biggest coastal town in the region. With this requiring a massive relocation and demolition project there was a strong push for an alternative strategy. There were also huge debates over a new crossing over Afon Conwy - with bridges, a tunnel and even a barrage considered.

Many favoured an inland alternative - an A55 bypass that would have snaked into the hills.

Ednyfed Hudson Davies, Labour Party MP for Conway between 1966 and 1970, told Parliament in 1968: "In common with many people in North Wales, I had favoured an inland bypass over the mountains skirting the whole length of the A55 from Colwyn Bay, past Llandudno and Conway, Penmaenmawr and Llanfairfechan, to rejoin the existing road near Aber(Abergwyngregyn)."

This could have seen the A55 shift inland across the Conwy countryside and cross the Afon Conwy in the vicinity of Tal-y-Cafn. It would have then risen sharply into the Carneddau - passing over Bwlch y Ddeufaen pass at 430 metres (1,410 ft), following the old Roman road before dipping and ending at Abergwyngregyn.

Illustration of how the A55 could have been routed over the Carneddau

MP Mr Davies does accept figures in a report that suggest the number of journeys that would be made on such a route may not justify the inland option - although did call into question some of travel projections.

But fast forward to March 1974 and it appears the politicians were no further forward on the issue.

Geraint Morgan, Conservative MP for Denbigh from 1959 to 1983, spoke in Parliament about the proposed 'Colleon expressway' and that an inland route remained on the table.

He said: "Since the preferred route (through Colwyn Bay) of 1972 was made known, the local authority, the Colwyn Bay Borough Council, has commissioned consultants to investigate possible alternative routes, and the consultants have produced an interim report in which they reject the present preferred route in favour of an inland route."

He voiced concerns that the Welsh Office was pushing on with its strategy.

He added: "What I and others find disturbing is that there are ominous signs that the Welsh Office is acting as if the preferred route of 1972, subject to certain minor alterations, is cut and dried, whatever may emerge at the public inquiry. Land is being acquired and piecemeal improvements are being made to the neighbouring section of the A55 trunk road.

"My plea to the Secretary of State is that a public inquiry should be held as soon as possible and that, if necessary, a draft order should be made to expedite matters .Secondly, I believe that no action should be taken that might prejudice the adoption of an alternative route pending the holding of that inquiry, and in particular that the Welsh Office should not in the meantime commit itself to any piecemeal improvements to the A55 in the vicinity of Colwyn Bay—however desirable they might be in themselves—that might in the end have the effect of ruling out better and less destructive routes."

The proposal went to an eight month public inquiry in 1974/75. This saw the decision made to press on with a dual carriageway through Colwyn Bay - causing huge disruption in the town in the 1980s and contributing to its economic decline in the 80s and 90s. As people will know the solution to navigating the Afon Conwy was an incredible tunnel scheme that opened in October 1991.

It means Bwlch-y-Ddeufaen remains to this day a peaceful haven for walkers, the Carneddau pones and the farmers who work the land.

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2023-06-24 04:10:00Z
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