Estate link road inquiry begins

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A public inquiry has opened into a £25m link road for an industrial estate which employs thousands of workers.

There have been hopes for the scheme for several years, with businesses frustrated at delays.

Wrexham council leader Aled Roberts said it was a "big one for the council", with the estate employing 8,000 at more than 200 companies.

A first phase A534 dual carriageway was built but the second phase involves two feeder roads to the north and south.

There were 20 objections to compulsory purchase orders for land which were made in April, and so the inquiry is now being held by the Welsh assembly government's planning inspectorate.

Currently, lorries and cars use country lanes and small villages to reach the estate.

'Continued prosperity'

The council is keen to get the scheme completed as soon as possible and believes if access is improved, the estate could have more economic potential.

Mr Roberts said: "The industrial estate is one of the largest in the UK, if not Europe, and it is still missing these link roads.

"It is necessary for the continued prosperity of north east Wales."

The council's barrister, Stephen Sauvain QC, told the inquiry that the scheme would help "accelerate the development" of the remaining empty industrial land and "encourage a wider range of new high value business activities on the estate".

It was also needed to help keep existing business and employment.

He added: "The need for improved access to the industrial estate has been recognised for over 20 years."

The council is expected to finish laying out its case to the planning inspector Bill Wadrup towards the end of the week.

There will be a site visit on Friday and the objectors will begin giving their evidence to the inquiry on 13 October.