The Welsh Ministers are considering implementing a project for the improvement of the A465 trunk road between Dowlais Top at its junction with the A4060 (NGR SO 077,082) to Hirwaun Junction, south west of Hirwaun (NGR SN 949,055), to include on line and off line works, including the provision of grade separated junctions, side road improvements, including the stopping up and construction of new highways, the stopping up and provision of new private means of access and the temporary closure of highways and provision of temporary highways. This project is subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment in accordance with Part VA of the Highways Act 1980 (as amended) and EC Directive 2011/92/EU. Therefore the Welsh Ministers published an Environmental Statement (ES) on 13 July 2017.

Following publication of the ES, an Environmental Statement Supplement (ESS) has been prepared which in summary:

• makes minor corrections and gives greater clarity to some environmental aspects of the published Scheme;

• provides new information and/or data; and

• provides an environmental assessment of design changes requiring supplementary draft Order or a significant modification to an existing draft Order.

This ESS will be published on 07 March 2018 and should be read in conjunction with the published ES, Non-Technical Summary of the ES and Statement to Inform an Appropriate Assessment (SIAA), which remain valid.

Copies of the ESS may be inspected free of charge during all reasonable business hours during the comment period at the following premises:

• Orders Branch Transport, Welsh Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ

• Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, The Pavilions, Cambrian Industrial Park, Tonypandy, CF40 2XX

• Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, Civic Centre, Castle Street, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 8AN

• Caerphilly County Borough Council, Penallta House, Tredomen Park, Ystrad Mynach, Hengoed, CF82 7PG

• Brecon Beacon National Park Authority, Plas y Ffynnon, Cambrian Way, Brecon, LD3 7HP

• Hirwaun Library, High Street, Hirwaun, CF44 9SW

• Cefn Coed Community Centre, Old Drill Hall Road, Cefn Coed, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 2NA

• Dowlais Library, Church Street, Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 3HS.

Electronic copies of the ES and SIAA (on CD) can be purchased from the above Welsh Government address at a cost of £5 (including postage and packaging). Paper copies are also available from the above address, although an administrative charge will be made to cover the cost of copying (price on application).

An electronic copy of the ESS is published on-line at www.gov.wales/transport.

Any comments about the ESS should be made in writing to the Welsh Government at the Cathays Park address given above and should arrive no later than 18 April 2018.

The Welsh Ministers will take all written comments into consideration before deciding whether or not to proceed with the project with or without modifications.

A copy of this Notice in larger print can be obtained from Orders Branch, Transport, Welsh Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NQ.

M D BURNELL

Transport

Welsh Government

On behalf of the Welsh Ministers