PLANS have been given the go ahead to dual the next section of the A465 Heads of the Valleys road between Brynmawr and Tredegar.

The Welsh Government's transport minister Carl Sargeant today gave permission for the next phase of the £150 million dualling scheme to go ahead following a public inquiry in March.

This will see improvements made to the 7.8km route from the north of the A465 roundabout at Brynmawr and will tie in with the stretch at the west of the Nant-y-Bwch junction at Tredegar which has already been improved.

The three land road will be upgraded to a dual carriageway with separated free flowing junctions, there will also be a 3km surfaced cycleway and a rest area will be provided at Garnlydan with extended parking, tourist information and viewpoints.

The plan is for the scheme to help with current issues on the A465 including poor visibility, lack of overtaking opportunities and accident hotspots.

Construction on the next phase is likely to start at the end of the year and should be finished by 2015.

The Abergavenny to Gilwern section opened to traffic in 2008 and Tredegar to Dowlais opened in 2004.

Work on the Dowlais Top to the A470 and from the A470 to Hirwaun is expected to start after April 2014.

Mr Sargeant said: "The A465 is a crucial artery of our transport network and the principal road link between West Wales and the Midlands.

"Dualling the Heads of the Valleys road will help improve safety, shorten travel times for commuters and businesses and contribute to the wider regeneration of the region."

He said the changes will also help in tackling poverty in the region by improving links to education sites, health centres and jobs.

Members of the public can find out about the scheme's proposals and progress at a visitor centre which will be created at the site office when work starts.

For more information, see a465brynmawr2tredegar.co.uk