RESIDENTS in Gilwern have raised concerns over the Head of the Valleys road works, saying they have turned the village into a “rat run”.

The Heads of the Valleys road is currently being upgraded by the Welsh Government with eight kilometres of the A465, between the Glanbaiden junction at Gilwern and the Brynmawr roundabout, being converted to two lanes in each direction.

The works, which started at the end of 2014 and are expected to run until mid 2018, have led to road closures and diversions at various times, particularly on the weekend.

And, as a result, residents say they are having to contend with cars racing up and down Maesygwartha Road, in Gilwern, as a ‘cut through’ route.

Garry Hill, a resident in Maesygwartha Road, said: “The key thing is safety. Somebody is going to get knocked over.

“We were promised nothing would happen. Instead, it is lawless down here.”

Grant Bosley, 50, who also lives in Maesygwartha Road, said the situation has persisted for the past 18 months and no-one wants to take responsibility.

“There was a meeting before it all started and I raised concerns about the road being used as a rat run and we were told it would never happen,” he added.

“It is a rat run.”

A Welsh Government spokesman said weekend road closures are necessary to undertake works that cannot safely be carried out next to traffic.

The spokesman also said the planning of closures had been developed with input from the emergency services and local authorities.

“It has become apparent, however, that an element on non-construction traffic does travel through Maesygwartha during the road closures and as a result, additional traffic signs have been implemented to supplement the existing 7.5 tonne weight limit restriction through the village,” he added.

“Additional traffic calming measures will be implemented to further discourage inappropriate driver behaviour. We will be meeting with residents of Maesygwartha later this month to discuss any ongoing concerns.”

A spokesman for Costain, which is carrying out the Heads of the Valleys road works, said they are taking residents’ concerns “very seriously”.

“We continuously monitor and review the situation relating to traffic and any disruption caused by restrictions on the A465,” he said.

A spokesman for Monmouthshire County Council said the Welsh Government and Costain are looking at possible changes to traffic management and improved signage to alleviate issues.