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>> Evicted man slams Welsh Assembly over scrapped A494 plans
>> How A494 battle was won
>> What next for Flintshire's A494?

In a dramatic announcement made at 8am this morning, Wales Transport Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones confirmed that proposals to build a seven lane 'super-highway' on the A494 at Queensferry were to be thrown out.

The announcement comes after 2,300 objections from residents and community leaders were voiced in a public inquiry in September.

The appointed planning inspector, Neil Taylor, recommended that the plans should not go ahead.

Accepting the inspector's recommendation, Mr Jones said: "In reaching my decision I have taken account of the concerns raised by the inspector that the overall size of the scheme would have a significant impact on the landscape and would affect walking and cycling routes.

"I have also noted his remarks that while he considers that this section of the A494 will need some form of improvement in the foreseeable future he considers that the scale of the scheme as originally proposed is greater than required.

"After careful consideration, I have taken the decision that the published draft orders for the A494 Drome Corner to Ewloe scheme will not be made."

The announcement follows the eviction of about 30 tenants from Aston Mead housing estate, where houses were earmarked to be demolished to make way for the road-widening works.

Cllr George Hardcastle, chairman of the Coalition Committee which led the campaign to oppose the plans, said: "I am absolutely delighted that the Minister has made the right decision on behalf of local communities in Flintshire.

"We have always said that the road should not be built here and have fought against these plans for the past two years. This result is absolutely fantastic.

"I have been told by the Welsh Assembly that the minister will now be working alongside Transport Wales to see what else can be done to improve the road."

Aston councillor Helen Gambino added: "It is a victory for all Flintshire residents who have worked so hard and voiced their objections against the scheme. Common sense has prevailed and I would like to thank everyone who has helped us to fight against the proposals."

AM Carl Sargeant, who wrote to transport minister Ieuan Wyn Jones last week urging him to scrap the plans, said: "The hard work and integrity of the campaign team has paid off. The recognition that the road was far too big for this area is great news for local residents in the community.

"The issue now is whether they will come back with new plans with a much more scaled down project. It's great news that the plan has been scrapped, but we have to be cautious about what may come next – we don't know what another plan may bring."

Cllr Ron Davies, who has voiced his objections to the scheme since the outset, added: "I had heard a strong rumour about it being thrown out.
"I agree that it should be scrapped – I think the scale of it was over the top."

Don't miss tomorrow's Leader for more reaction and developments on this breaking story.

Have your say – will you be joining in with the celebrations?

Or do you think action is needed to tackle traffic problems on the A494?

What should happen now to this stretch of road?

Let us know by leaving a comment below or emailing digitalnews@nwn.co.uk