Civil engineering company Alun Griffiths (Contractors) has started construction works on the Northern Access Road (NAR), which will serve as an important part of the highway network connecting to the St Athan and Cardiff Airport Enterprise Zones.

Linking with the existing Eglwys Brewis road and the B4265, the NAR will provide access to the airside business park and is expected to prevent flooding in the nearby villages of Llanmaes and Boverton.

The Government of Wales has decided to invest £15.5m on this 2km-long NAR.

After completion, the road will take traffic from St Athan and the Eglwys Brewis road, thereby reducing traffic congestion in the region.

Wales Transport Secretary Ken Skates said: “The Northern Access Road provides the business park with a fit-for-purpose access to major highway routes for vehicles of all sizes, including logistic.

“The new road will be able to accommodate successful future growth and the route is sympathetic to needs identified in the area’s Local Development Plan.”

“The new road will be able to accommodate successful future growth and the route is sympathetic to needs identified in the area’s Local Development Plan.”

Initial construction works for the project started in January this year, which included top soil strip, installation of site fencing and archaeological investigation works.

Alun Griffiths (Contractors) director Alun Smith said: “We are delighted to have been successful in our bid to assist Welsh Government in providing the improvements in infrastructure around the St Athan area, which will allow the Aerospace Business Park to be developed to its full potential.

“The project team are fully committed to completing the scheme within time and budget, despite having to resolve some challenging circumstances along the way.”

The construction works of the NAR project are expected to be completed by late next year.