Economy and Infrastructure Secretary Ken Skates was on Anglesey to officially open the first two sections of the Llangefni Link Road.
The £4 million project has been funded by the Welsh Government, Isle of Anglesey County Council, Grŵp Llandrillo-Menai and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.
The new link road will allow major expansion of Grŵp Llandrillo Menai's Coleg Menai, Llangefni Campus and when complete will run from the A5114 junction with the Llangefni Industrial Estate, circling the south and east of the town before crossing the B5420 and connecting to the Coleg Menai site, providing traffic relief for the town centre.
Economy Secretary Ken Skates said:
“I’m delighted to open the first two sections of this link road, which is the product of the Welsh Government, Anglesey County Council, Grŵp Llandrillo-Menai and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority all working together for the benefit of local communities and industry.
“I have been clear in my belief that a high quality and connected transport system is key to achieving economic growth in North Wales and this link road is a fantastic example. It will provide the transport links necessary to allow a major expansion of Coleg Menai, Llangefni, enabling it, in turn to provide the high quality education and training that will allow people to secure the job opportunities arising from new developments and economic growth in the area.
“I recently outlined infrastructure projects totalling over £600 million across North Wales for the coming months and years as we continue to work with local authorities and partners to deliver an integrated transport network that better connects communities and businesses to jobs and services, laying the foundations for a more prosperous Wales.”
Anglesey Council Leader and Major Projects portfolio holder, Councillor Ieuan Williams, added,
“The Link Road project is a great example of how infrastructure improvements can be an enabler and catalyst for significant economic growth. This project will allow the Grŵp Llandrillo Menai's Coleg Menai, Llangefni Campus, to expand and offer a wide range of training and skills linked with proposed major energy related developments on the Island. It also plays a vital role in our efforts to develop Llangefni and fulfil it’s potential as a strategic employment and education hub for the wider region.
“This development adds value and complements Anglesey's Enterprise Zone and the Energy Island Programme’s vision to create a world-renowned centre of excellence in low carbon power generation.”
Dafydd Evans, CEO Grŵp Llandrillo Menai added,
“The new link road will contribute greatly to supporting developments linked to Ynys Ynni. Developments that will, in turn bring much needed, quality employment to the area.
“Coleg Menai has a key role to play in ensuring that local people, especially those currently training for the workplace, have the skills and experience they need to compete for quality jobs in the area. Another advantage of the new road is that it will, of course, make the proposed development of a New Engineering Facility at our Llangefni campus possible.”