Unadopted roads are highways which have not been brought under the wing of a local council, to be maintained by them alongside the rest of the highway network. Privately owned, they are often the responsibility of housing developer or local residents.
There are approximately 25,000 kilometers of unadopted roads in Wales, and it’s been estimated the cost of bringing all unadopted roads in Wales serving five or more properties up to the minimum standard would be £1.56 billion (based on a price of £600-per-metre).
In 2019 the Welsh Government commissioned an expert Taskforce to identify the extent of the issues regarding unadopted roads in Wales and see what could be done to improve the situation. Amongst the Taskforce’s recommendations was the need to launch a pilot funding programme to address local unadopted road priorities - a pilot which is currently in progress across Wales.
Elin Jones MS and Ben Lake MP have been contacted by residents across Ceredigion with growing concerns about the conditions of their unadopted roads, and the elected representatives recently met with residents of Maes y Felin, Penrhyncoch - one of many housing estates in Ceredigion - to listen to their concerns.
Ben Lake MP said:
“The issue of unadopted roads is one which the Welsh Government and Local Authorities need to get to grips with, and I welcome the Unadopted Roads Taskforce’s recommendations.
“Often with no street lighting or drainage, and of a poor surface, these roads can be hazardous for elderly, disabled and younger residents. They can also pose problems for our emergency services, with access issues for ambulances and fire engines at times of crisis.
Elin Jones MS said:
“I hope the findings of the Welsh Government’s pilot funding programme will be published soon so that a national Unadopted Roads fund can be introduced across Wales. We will work alongside the Local Authority to ensure that Maes y Felin and other housing estates across Ceredigion are prioritised for any such funding.”
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