Fears £65m Gwynedd bypass could face further delays

Work on a bypass is currently scheduled to begin by early 2018

Work on a £65m bypass in Gwynedd could face further delays as a date for the public inquiry is yet to be set, an assembly member has warned.

Construction of the Bontnewydd road was due to start by the end of 2016, but was delayed amid concerns over wildlife.

Arfon AM Sian Gwenllian fears it could be pushed back further as no date for the public inquiry has been set.

First Minister Carwyn Jones said the bypass was "crucially important".

Raising the issue in the Senedd, Ms Gwenllian said contractors building the Caernarfon and Bontnewydd bypass were "hugely concerned" that no date had been set for the inquiry.

The inquiry must take place before construction can start.

"The project has already been delayed by 12 months because of arguments about bats, now certainly we don't want any further delays," she said.

Mr Jones said the Welsh Government remained committed to building the bypass and were working through the issues outlined in the environment statement.