Hauliers welcome improvements but say more work is needed across Wales

A MAJOR new road improvement scheme on the A40 in Pembrokeshire was officially opened today (May 1) by First Minister Eluned Morgan, marking the completion of a four-year project expected to deliver major benefits to local communities, tourism, and freight.

The £60 million Llanddewi Velfrey to Redstone Cross scheme was jointly funded by the Welsh Government and the European Union, and represents one of the most significant recent infrastructure upgrades in South West Wales.

The project delivers 6km of upgraded carriageway, improved roundabouts, two new road bridges, 22 culverts, and a dedicated active travel route for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders. It also includes extensive landscaping, with more than 450,000 trees and plants added to enhance the surrounding environment.

Speaking at the official opening, First Minister Eluned Morgan said: “Fixing our roads is a key priority for us. We’ve spent £1bn fixing and improving our roads since 2021, including more than £250m in the past year.
“The completion of the A40 Llanddewi Velfrey to Redstone Cross Improvement scheme is excellent news for Southwest Wales, providing a more resilient, accessible transport link for tourism and key strategic ports in Pembrokeshire.
“The scheme also helps connect local communities to key transport hubs, as well as promoting healthy lifestyles with the introduction of a new route for people wishing to cycle, walk or ride horses.”

Local economy boosted

The Welsh Government said the project created substantial opportunities for local businesses and residents:

• 97% of the workforce were employed from within Wales.
• More than 100 Welsh-based businesses were involved in the supply chain.
• Over 50 unemployed people and 16 apprentices from the region were given jobs or training placements during the scheme.

The Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, praised the economic and environmental impact of the project, describing it as “an impressive piece of engineering”.

“This is a great example of how targeted investment in road infrastructure can deliver on many levels—supporting local jobs, improving access to key destinations, developing skills, and providing environmental protections,” he said.
“It’s been a complex project involving a number of key partners and I would like to thank everyone who has played their part in helping us to deliver this.”

Environmental improvements

The project includes specific measures to protect wildlife, such as fencing, underpasses and linked habitats for badgers, bats, and dormice. In total, 150,000 trees and 300,000 plants have been added to the landscape.

Benefits for freight and tourism

The A40 is a vital east-west corridor in south-west Wales, used by thousands of vehicles daily, including heavy goods traffic heading to and from Milford Haven—Wales’ busiest freight port—and ferry terminals at Fishguard and Pembroke Dock.

During the summer, traffic volumes in the area can increase by up to 30%, putting pressure on local roads and residents. The new scheme includes sections for overtaking, aimed at reducing congestion and improving road safety.

Scott Davies, director of Pembrokeshire-based hauliers MDS Distribution, welcomed the improvements.
“The school holidays used to be a terrible time for delays. This improvement was definitely needed. The overtaking sections and better junctions will hopefully make a real difference,” he said.
But he added that further work was needed across Wales. “The Newport bottleneck is still a major problem. There’s a lot of traffic coming into Wales and that issue needs addressing.”

Years of disruption end

Local residents and businesses have endured years of disruption during the construction phase. Clive Edwards of Taf Valley Coaches said he was relieved the road was finally complete.
“It’s done—thank goodness it’s finished. Now we just want some kind of normal again and for everything to run smoothly.”

Despite scrapping all future road-building projects in 2023 under the previous Welsh Government, ministers have softened their stance, with Transport Secretary Ken Skates recently suggesting that schemes could go ahead if they reflect climate emergency goals. A further £25m has been allocated to renew Wales’ major roads and prevent an estimated 30,000 defects.

The A40 project, now complete, is being hailed as a model for how infrastructure, economy and the environment can be balanced.