Written question WQ85073

Tree removal along the A449 is as a result of the impact of Ash dieback disease. It is being managed by the Welsh Government and other landowners, with dead and dying trees being removed for safety purposes across the Motorway and Trunk Road network in Wales. Replacement planting along the A449 is planned for winter 2022-23, introducing new native trees and shrubs to restore habitats and the other benefits provided by our roadside plantations.

The Welsh Government does not utilise the vegetation of the verges to provide noise abatement as particularly wide (20-30m), dense, evergreen planting is needed to make an appreciable difference to noise levels., and the space along the A449 is relatively narrow.

The fourth round of strategic noise mapping has commenced. It is anticipated the new road traffic noise maps for Wales will be published in December 2022. The Noise and Soundscape Action Plan 2018 - 2023 is due to be revised and updated during the course of 2023, informed in part by the new noise maps.

Sites that have not been designated priority sites during the current Noise and Soundscape Action Plan for Wales 2018-23 period will not be revisited. The A449 was not a priority site.

As part of this work, it is expected we will utilise the new noise maps to establish a new programme of prioritised noise mitigation works in noise hotspots on the motorway and trunk road network commencing in 2024.