If you love it or loathe it, have Your Say here about getting from A to B in Mid Wales.
Mervyn from Brecon would like draconian measures put in place in May 2009.
Mervyn:"Close all roads down for maintenance for 3 months. Peace at last."
Chris Rees from Caernarfon thinks the travel network between North Wales and South wales is 'a farce'.
"Wales needs a far better road network. Frankly, travelling north to south is a farce of epic propotions,why wasn't a motorway or dual carriageway built 30 years ago? It's not going to happen now, due to pressure on budgets, and the environmental profits of doom, so were stuck with the stessful, irritating system we have. What compounds it are the incessant so called temporary traffic lights that are a multi million pound industry in wales. Personally, I'm sick to death of these constant hold ups. I travel the length of Wales on a regular basis, and see them at first hand every week of the year. Some of them have been in place for years,in other countries they get it sorted far sooner."
Leslie Maynerd from Reading was disappointed by the amount of litter on the A470 near Brecon in February 2009:
Leslie:"I was walking in a nature reserve south of Brecon during half term and had to walk along a stretch of th e A470 in order to return to my car I was horrified art the amount of litter on the side of the road - crisp packets, beer cans, take away boxes and even a wine bottle.These were every few feet and must have been thrown from cars as this wouldn't be a normal place fro people to walk generally. In such a beautiful area it is a terrible thing to see and I wondered what the environmental policy is on this type of roadside litter. Who is responsible for clearing it up? How do you see it improving ever? Is it a subject that should be taught in schools to try to keep our country clean and beautiful. I welcome your comments."
Katie from Caernarfon wanted to know about the lack of information about a road closure at devil's Bridge in February 2009:
Katie:"Why has there been no warning of the closure of the bridge at Devils Bridge?
None of the 'Roads' websites have any mention of this."
James from Lampeter provided some thoughts on slow drivers and the Mid Wales rail service in January 2009:
James:"I think tourists and slow drivers on roads in mid wales often forget that there are people who have emergencies to attend, the Vet going to the calving etc, the Doctor, and so on. If driving slowly on these narrow twisty roads if you have someone behind you trying to pass why not take a few seconds to pull in and let them pass? This means far less stress for everyone. Not everyone can have a blue light on top of the vehicle but it could still be a life or death situation. When traveling further afield rail woudl be excellent but it is too slow from Carmarthen or even Swansea to London. Why can York to London take 1hr40 but Swansea to London over 4hrs? "Intercity" trains should run direct to Cardiff and Swansea without stopping at least every couple of hours to speed up the link. The trains between Cardiff and Swansea don't need to stop at every station, that is why there are smaller local services running as well. Also they are too expensive!"
In June 2008 Angela Finch in Rhayader told us about one of the drawbacks of living near a motorway:
"Be careful what you wish for! I agree that it takes 5+ hours to get from Essex to Mid Wales but if it were motorway, all the way, then an awful lot more people would make the journey and Mid Wales would cease to be the beautiful, reasonably tranquil spot, that it is now. I should know, I have lived in Essex and Rhayader and I can assure you that you wouldn't want an M25 on your doorstep, even if it did get you to your destination a bit quicker. Part of the attraction of Mid-Wales is the fact that it remains relatively unspoilt, OK so people reach us for holidays but if it were easier and quicker to get here, they would find it rather more busy than they might have been used to in the past."
Lee Bengough, from Bargoed, Mid Glamorgan sent us the following comment in June 2008:
"I have traveled upto the Coastline New Quay, Llangranog etc for a few years now from Bargoed in South Wales. The Journey isn't too bad untill you get on the A482 between Llanwrda and Lampeter. The Road in some places on this stretch is so bumpy and uneven and very narrow. Only last year when I was on that road 2 Artic Lorrys went head on into each other on a sharp bend. Alot of this road could do with widening for safer over taking as Some Lorry Drivers don't check their Mirrors and start moving across to the other side of the road. And Also the Farmers should cut their hedges and Trees back more regular so you can see further ahead which would help Road Safety."
Emrys Evans from Slough's short message was sent to us in August 2007.
Emrys:"Extend the M4 to Fishguard maybe, but not Ceredigion."
W Stevens from Trimsaran is opposed to making wider roads:
W Stevens:"To add new Dual carriageways, or to widen existing roads would be immensely damaging to the beauty & tranquility of mid - Wales. It would have the same detrimental effect that has been experienced in Devon & Cornwall, whereby natural beauty is assaulted by blasting and digging away the very areas which have attracted visitors in the first place.
Where is the beauty when one is travelling at 60 - 70 m.p.h. - you have not got time to look around, unless we want more accidents.
Except for obviously dangerous spots, leave well alone."
Walter Sands raised the following point about paying for travelling by car:
" All this talk about charging to use the roads what about the disabled driver who can't use public transport and must drive the car."
Nick Waring from Cardiff believes restoration of rail links would help transport issues:
"Restoration of the rail links between Builth Road & Caersws and between Criccieth & Bangor would allow a through (if not particularly direct) railway route from SE to NW Wales. Such a line could be speeded up and electrified and become the backbone of a more integrated Wales."
David Jones from New Quay claims motorists in Mid Wales now have less safe overtaking points:
"I commuted from New Quay to Swansea throughout August.
I would like to do this all year round, but its a hard slog, and a non starter for me. The problem is that the powers that be have spent millions improving the roads but have then put 40mph limits at most safe overtaking points. Pencader to Altwallis being the most obvious problem. If small sections of these roads were dualled so that you can get past tractors, lorries etc that would solve the problem very well, and stop some of the 'suicide overtaking' that we so often see.
Mrs M O'Neill from Ponterwyd thinks freight should be transported by the railway because, she claims, it is ruining roads and the rural way of life:
"We live on the A44 where container lorries continually smash into the top of our fencing.They seem to get bigger and bigger with no control on thier size. In fact they are so wide they have to shunt past each other as the road narrows in many places.The noise from power brakes awakens us in the middle of the night constantly. Five motorcyclists have been killed during this past year and car passengers have been shunted off the road by these monstrous wagons.
Terry O'Neill from Ponterwyd claims the arrival of new government posts in Aberystwyth could change the situation:
"Once the new Welsh Gov Offices are complete in Aberystwyth many of its staff will experience the difficulties driving through to Swansea and Cardiff. Then and only then will we see changes to the type of vehicles using our road system. A railway line will no doubt be extended to tranport freight and serious upgrading done on our roads."
Sarah Davies from Merthyr Tydfil is interested in car-sharing and suggested a website for people to liase with others in September 2006:
"I have just visited this site www.travel2work.co.uk and think that it is good idea to help people have a lift to work. I could find a match myself. Maybe it is a new website? The content is good and easy to use. What do you think about car sharing?"
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Silan from Lampeter calls for a motorway link up to the Ceredigion coastline:
"An improved road and rail network, particularly between Swansea and the mid-west coast, would reap a number of economic benefits. Rumours have been floating for years about the M4 being extended from Pont Abraham up to Synod Inn...let the rumours continue!"
David from Abersoch compares the situation to driving in Europe:
"I live on the Lleyn Peninsular & drive to the Midlands. An extention of the M54 to Welshpool/Newtown area would aviod congestion & delays. Also a North /South Motorway is essential. Compare France Italy Spain Germany etc where there are Motorways which bypass congested motorways!"
John Davison from Birmingham joined the debate in March 2006:
"Some of the big spending avalanche proposals can be triggered by the smallest thing. The experience of trying to walk along the roads for a simple trip such as from a railway station or a bus stop to a house or village and you can understand why a car is hauled out for a simple trip. The end of a journey that does not feel safe can mean that the whole journey instead of being (say) train and then walking, becomes another car journey. That car journey multiplied by all sorts of similar ones means traffic in front of other drivers. The solution is for every road scheme to include a footway in the verge so we build back a Wales where walking is safe and easy."
George McAllister from Stanford-le-Hope in Essex favours faster links:
"For 3 years, me and more often than not my parents did the traditional 6 or 7 hour trek from Essex up to Aberystwyth. It will take me on average 3 hours to get to the Severn Bridge and the same if not more from there up to Aber. This is daft! It's time that we had a motorway system running from north to south and east to west in Wales."
It would make journey times alot quicker! Failing that, do as they do on the Italian border, have a tunnel that goes through the mountains!
Tom Roberts from Colwyn Bay says he agrees with Daniel Evans' comments below:
"I travel several times a year to Swansea and Cardiff from Colwyn Bay using the A470/487. An amazing journey - just except it's going to take 4/5 hours. It would can easily take this long going into England and following the motorways! And which would be the preferable choice? Travelling through our beautiful country. Don't wish for what you might get and regret!"
Andrew from Machynlleth says sit back and admire the scenery:
"Who needs to overtake just take your time admire the scenery and arrive safely. Wales has superb roads if you doubt me try driving through the Midlands and its horrific motorway system."
Dave from the Midlands thinks improvements can be made without building motorways:
"I think a lot could be done to improve the existing roads without building motorways. For example there is a 50 mile stretch of road A458/470 from Shrewsbury to Dolgellau where there is no dual carriageway, and no safe place to pass. As this is the main route from the Midlands to Barmouth and the Welsh Coast I think it would benefit from upgrading and would improve safety. I know that journey puts some people off visiting that part of Wales."
Alan Gildersleve from London thinks more roads are unnecessary:
"I think Mid Wales does not need more roads as these would indeed carve up the countryside."
John Plumb from Llanidloes has this to say about the A470:
"From what I gather looking out my front windscreen when I drive along the A470 it would appear that a lot of drivers think they are already on a motorway."
Steve Thomas from Torfaen thinks the A470 should be improved:
"I regularly travel the 60 miles or so from Cwmbran to Rhayader and it can sometimes take up to 2 hours - an average of 30 miles an hour. Whilst I would hate to see the beauty of the route destroyed it can be vey frustrating whilst stuck behind a lorry or farm tractor with little or no chance of overtaking. Would it not be possible to introduce short stretches of dual carriageways to allow this with slow moving vehicles and lorries restricted to one lane? As for public transport- can you imagine how long it would take to travel between South Wales and Rhayader by bus? When you have to attend meetings in Mid Wales this would not be practicable. I love travelling to Barmouth as well but the 4 hour jurney to travel 100 miles is a nightmare. Improve the A470 south to north link but please - no motorways and no east to west motorway routes either."
J I Jones from Aberystwyth calls for better links from Carmarthen:
"Improved road and/or new rail links are desparately needed between Aberystwyth and Carmarthen. The A487 coast road is frequently used by heavy goods vehicles and other slow moving vehicles, making safe overtaking opportunities rare, or often non existent. This leads to frustration and risks being taken. Some road users may be in a genuine hurry - e.g.doctors or emergency service workers who may get called in urgently - progress can be very slow. The road from Synod Inn to Alltwalis is simply too narrow and rough."
Duncan from Machynlleth calls for more investment in public transport:
"Put more money into the Rail Network and Buses and encourage the drivers off the road. I have heard recently that rail companies are to start putting prices up, to discourage rail users at peak times, as they are overcrowded! This is a huge step backwards. Just when people are returning to rail from the roads because of congestion they will be forced back by ticket prices. Already rural roads are busy with commuter traffic and cars driving at ridiculous speeds. This has put local people off using their bikes to get to work and increases the traffic still further. It's a viscious circle."
Jean Patmore from Llandrindod Wells is in favour of a motorway:
"Put another moterway to us. You don't have to ruin the countryside and in the long term it will bring benefits. Although the roads here are a joy to travel on it would be nice for a faster link to the south. My family all live away from Wales. I had to travel down a few times when family were ill. It's 80miles to a motorway from Llandrindod which makes the journey long and tiresome. We needed to get down as soon as we could. On one occasion when my sister in law was here her father was taken ill. She could not get back to him before he died. She was held up by tractors and slow moving cars so yes I would welcome a faster road link to and from mid wales."
John from Market Rasen emailed us to say :
"I live in lincolnshire, which like mid-wales is a rural backwater. The reason i live here is for that very reason, it's quiet, has low crime levels, & a slower pace of life. The other side to that is that i have to work for minimum wage, & it takes time to get anywhere. If you start introducing motorways & other similar schemes, then travel becomes easier, & people & buisiness move in from outside which creates jobs & wealth, but destroys the reasons for many people being there in the first place. Be very carefull what you wish for! motorways will open up the area to many other people, & will bring jobs, but at what cost?. Give me minimum wage, & slow roads anyday. On the subject of freight, ban anything over 8tons on a sunday, & force more freight onto rail, using local distribution with smaller vehicles. It can be done!! Just look at switzerland. But remember buisness wont change voluntarily, it will take legislation, & the sooner the better?"
Paul from Manchester picks up on an earlier comment:
"I agree with S Byrne (also Manchester/Aberystwyth) that the roads from North/Mid Wales down to Cardiff need a massive improvement. But I strongly dispute that there's no need to improves links between NW/Mid England to Mid Wales. In my experience and that of my Manchester-based Aber pals, anything under 3 hours is a rare and miraculous event! Care to share your secret route?!"
Malcolm Owen from Manchester makes a point about the economy:
"The population of the UK is currently around 60 million, this is a sharp increase occurring in the past few years. If this trend were to continue (as it may well do) more people seek more space for recreation living, shopping etc etc. Now take a look at a UK map, much of the south is overcrowded, property prices overheating, roads congested etc so logically tracts of land in the west ie Wales , and in the east ie Norfolk, both visibly attractive areas, will be ripe for developers to market as a 'good lifestyle' at affordable cost to families wishing to escape the 'hotspots'. I'm not being cynical but it's only a matter of time before 'Uk ltd' fills up and land becomes even more scarce on this treasured isle of ours...Major improved road links are the precursor to economic regeneration, we all want jobs don't we?"
Daniel Evans from Aberystwyth sounds a cautionary note:
"As the old saying goes: be careful what you wish for because you might just get it.
The people who want motorways or improved roads are missing the point of living in West Wales. If I am travelling to points south I know exactly how long it is going to take even if I do get stuck behind a lorry for part of the journey and knowing that in advance reduces the frustration. It is when people don't plan their journey in advance and expect to arrive at their destination 10 minutes after they have departed that the frustrations set in and the risky over-taking and accidents happen. Just chill out and learn to appreciate and live with what we have already got then we won't have to ruin our landscape for the sake of a few hotheads."
S Byrne from Aberystwyth says the connection to South Wales could be better:
"I'm a student currently staying in Aberystwyth and I don't think there is any need for a motorway or even a duel carriageway to be put in mid wales. I travel down from nr Manchester regularly and the journey only takes me 2 and a half hours which isn't a very long time going on country roads! It would maybe make more sense to have better roads from mid wales down to Cardiff as that journey IS awful and takes forever but there is no need for one going solely to Mid Wales from the North or Birmingham"
Dave Williams suggests this solution:
"Mid Wales doesn't need a motorway, all that is required is to take the larger lorries off the roads before they get to Mid Wales. Force them to use the railway. Then off load at various distribution points along the line of the rail track e.g. Welshpool, Newtown, Dovey Junction, Aberystwyth, Machynlleth, and the same from other directions. Then use smaller delivery trucks for local deliveries... Therefore cutting down the number of large vehicles on the road, allowing me to spend less time stuck behind lorries going to & from work."
Fletch from Abermule has emailed us to say :
"I wouldn't advocate motorways, but some dualling and overtaking lanes would go a long way to keep traffic moving. Let's be honest, Powys has well-kept surfaces, but the junctions, lack of right hand turning lanes, and narrow parts of trunk roads are frustrating and increase the danger of an accident."
Paul from Manchester draws this comparison:
"I first drove to Aberystwyth from Manchester in about January. It took over 6 hours, due to driving tiny, windy roads in the rain and dark. A clear run sees it done in a bit over 3 hours. But considering it's only 140 miles... I drove 210 miles to London, in 3 hours flat. Go figure..."
Steve from Cheshire has a suggestion for dealing with traffic problems:
"More roads in rural Wales would make the character of the area less special. People who want a city type life can always move to the cities. On many roads, traffic jams can be greatly reduced by simple improvements to junctions to minimise queing time. More filter lanes for people turning left at a T junctions can help."
Keith Swenson from Ulaanbaatar has a different view :
"I visit the area for study and for it's scenic beauty, more road and rail lines would indeed degrade this attraction. Open spaces, especially in the U.K. are fast disappearing. It's important for current and future generations to keep the landscape unobstructed."
Elenor Bonner-Evans from Machynlleth says transport improvements are vital to the region's economy.
"Mid Wales needs improved infastructure - rail needs more and faster train journeys to Birmingham and better public transport links with the rest of Wales. Roads also needs improving. If the infastructure is not improved the Mid Wales economy will suffer."
Paul from Aberystwyth fears road improvements could bring some unwelcome visitors to the area :
"Better roads in Mid Wales will mean higher crime in the area! Away day criminals will find it easier to get here steal cars, burgle houses and getaway."
Gareth Marston from Newtown thinks that the answer would be to develop rail not road.
"A point worth bearing in mind is that roads are not the answer to economic prosperity which many seem to believe. Take a look at Angelsey and its economy and then bear in mind that it does have the A55 Expressway. There's far more to economic well being than roads - get the blinkers off! Rail is underused and under represented through Mid Wales, what better way to improve links whilst at the same time preserving what makes Mid Wales the great place it is."
Eirion from Welshpool is against spending more money on highways.
"There is really no need to channel valuable council resources into yet another scheme for the roads. This money could be far better spent on any number of more valuable projects in Wales, better public transport chief among them. If road-users were to be offered a more reliable bus service, they would be more inclined to leave the car at home."
Austin from Lampeter says there's no need to extend the M4 but some improvements are needed:
"I've lived in this area on and off for about 25 years, and travelled quite widely, and have never had any serious problem getting where I want to go. Extending the M4 up through Ceredigion would be unjustified and, in my opinion, unwlecome. There is an argument however for certain obvious bottlenecks in the existing road system to be improved, as has been happening for many years on the A487 coast road.
There's an even better argument for reinstating some of the rail network which was wantonly destroyed in the 50s and 60s. Rail can and should carry a good deal more freight than roads, using less land and resources to do so. But I suspect that building new railways is not so politically popular as building roads, so that's not very likely."
Maj from Llandrindod Wells says driving's a delight in Mid Wales.
""The roads in Wales are wonderful, just right as they are and better maintained than in most parts of England - it's a joy to drive... I agree with Jazzy from Aberystwyth, Wales is beautifully peaceful and picturesque. Why do people visit Wales? Just for this reason. We don't need wider roads or motorways. Places like Builth Wells only gets congested for one week of the year during the Royal Welsh Show - we can live with that. The rest of the year is wonderful! I'm a regular traveller between Wales, the Midlands and London and it's always an absolute joy and totally uplifting to cross the border on the return journey back home again, leaving the concrete and noise madness behind".
Tony feels that better roads would develop a thriving economy in rural Wales.
"I can see why many people are worried that better roads would lead to the destruction of Mid Wales, but this hasn't happened elsewhere. I have recently visited St Ives & the Lake District, both of which have good dual carriageways without leading to rural destruction. What will destroy Mid Wales is the collapse of the rural economy. 66% of people in Ceredigion work in the public sector, with half the remainder in the (basket case) farming industry. As soon as England starts to reduce the huge subsidies to this area we're doomed. Look at how KTH has closed down in Llanidloes (with rubbish transport links) while a similar company thrives in Welshpool. If Mid Wales is all to avoid going the way of Tregaron (massive de-population) then we need to be connected to the rest of the world sharpish!"
Edward Percy from Merthyr Tydfil sent us this message during the week of the 2003 Royal Welsh Show when there were long queues to get into the showground:
"I think that there shoud be a motorway to Builth Wells and the north.The road is too narrow."
Check out our Royal Welsh pages.
Peter from Welshpool agrees that the road network here could be better.
"I travel all over Wales and there is a deal of frustration on the roads. I don't believe that motorways are the practical answer but some road improvements are certainly needed. The Assembly has brought forward some inovative thinking on spending and there is an opportunity now to plan some long-term "regional" leadership on the Welsh road system that will benefit the Principality for the future without detracting from the beauty of your land."
Glyn from Aberystwyth isn't in favour of extending the motorway but he would like to see some changes.
"I don't think anyone would seriously suggest extending the M4 to Ceredigion; there is not enough population to warrant it, and I doubt if many people would support it. It's a complete non-starter. The rail network is a different matter. I find it amazing that there is no rail link between north and south Wales. Wales suffered enormously with the Beeching cuts. Maybe now it's time for the National Assembly to push for an innovative transport policy; the restoration of some of the old rail lines..."
Jazzy from Aberystwyth deplores the idea of bringing the M4 up to the coast. "I cannot believe anyone would want to put an motorway through Ceredigion. Ceredigion is isolated, absolutely amazingly beautiful and you want to bring a whole load more people to turn it into an extension of the valleys? The railway system, on the other hand, used to be pretty much perfect with rail links at Cardigan, Carmarthern through to Aber and a branch line to Aberaeron. Resurrecting that would bring clean, efficient transport to the area (and the route is obviously still there), not a huge ghastly slab of concrete.
If you want a motorway, go and live somewhere else, you don't deserve Ceredigion. You say it'll cause 'economic benefits' - yes, locals will no longer be able to afford housing where their parents lived, because a motorway will drive all prices through the roof. People will come in and turn it into a suburb with the additional "economic benefits" of high crime, pointless street lighting (I mean, come on, in the middle of nowhere people now put up street lamps! ), and disorder. If you want to live in a suburb, why don't you live in Milton Keynes? You don't come to Ceredigion if all you a want to do is get from A to B as fast as possible."
Chris from Llanbadarn Fawr, Aberystwyth has an alternative solution.
"If we could have section of the roads turned into two lanes, - where wide enough - and keeping the left lane for slow traffic, ie keep left unless overtaking, it wouldn't be as bad for the enviroment."
Steve from Lampeter thinks the answer lies in developing rail not road."West Wales does suffer from poor road and rail communications. However, this in many ways adds to the beauty of this area. Upgraded road links would be a disaster, but new rail links might prove benefical now and in the future. I do wonder what West Wales would have been like if the railways hadn't been removed in the 60s."
Another Lampeter resident Jo Salmon has also joined the debate, calling for better public transport.
"A motorway through Mid Wales would devastate the natural landscape and transform the area from a place of natural beauty to the exact opposite. More roads aren't the answer to our transport difficulties - improved public transport is the key. Why don't we campaign for a north-south railway, buses that visit small villages more than once a week, and extend exisiting services so that the last bus home isn't before pubs, clubs, cinemas, theatres, etc close? Come on AMs - let's get a decent public transport system for Mid and West Wales!"
Edward Evans from Liverpool has a different view.
"I have seen what motorways have done to the area I live in. Merseyside may not ever have been the most attractive place in Britain, but what's left of its scenery is rapidly being swallowed by motorway widening schemes and retail parks. Motorways are the first stage in the wholesale destruction of the countryside. Enjoy Ceredigion whilst you can - it won't stay beautiful for long if such plans are really set to go ahead. There are more important things than road links."
Peter Coleby from Montgomery agrees with Edward Evans' viewpoint.
"We must never build more roads through Wales. I travel throughout the principality and it is a joy. More or bigger roads would mean more traffic."
Christopher Wright from Wrexham is a student at Aberystwyth University and is very familiar with travelling to this part of Ceredigion. Even so, he'd hate to see a motorway through the county.
"Yes, the road can be a pain most of the time but unlike the South coast of Wales which is more industrialised, this is Mid Wales! The countryside is amazing - you can't put a motorway through it. It would cause a beautiful area of Wales to be lost forever. A better road care scheme should be initiated, like special areas to reduce flooding. The same for the trains. Although a better railway network would be nice - instead of Dovey Junction!"
Rolant Ellis from Aberystwyth thinks the area is in need of major road improvements.
"New roads are urgently needed in Ceredigion, which must have the poorest roads in the UK. It is scandalous that in the 21st century, the A487 between Machynlleth and Aberystwyth is impassable several times a year.GWELL FFYRDD NAWR!(BETTER ROADS NOW!)"
Kevin Price from Tamworth in Staffordshire is not a fan of motorways.
"I think motorways are unsightly and the area I live in is surround by motorways and town bypasses. I have seen the building progress in the new BNRR (Birmingham North Relief Road) and the destruction it has done to countryside. When you see some of the suburbs and industrials estates around the Birmingham area which have become extremely run-down, you can soon realise that it is not progression or moving forward but instead moving backwards. It is nice to be able to escape industrialism."
Kathryn from Aberystwyth agrees with Silan that the M4 should be extended to Ceredigion.
"I think it would be a great idea - it would put Ceredigion on the map and make access so much easier (although not everyone sees this as a good thing I guess!)"
Anna from Aberystwyth sent us this email in response to Silan's call for upgrading the road network to Ceredigion.
"Part of the attraction of the West Wales Coast is the lack of people most of the time. If there was a motorway, it wouldn't be the same."
