News Beat
Full list of roads closed as Storm Goretti snowfall causes widespread disruption
Need to know
We will update this article as the situation develops through the day
There is widespread disruption on the roads in Wales on Friday morning as heavy snowfall brought by Storm Goretti has continued to paralyse large parts of the Welsh road network. As snow began to fall on Thursday evening, people were abandoning their cars on major routes such as the Heads of the Valleys road. Here is a full list of the roads closed or just driveable due to snowfall on January 9:
- A542 Horseshoe Pass near Llangollen in Denbighshire remaining closed in both directions since January 4 after deep drifting snow blocked the high-altitude route between the Corwen and Wrexham turn-offs, leaving one of north Wales’ most iconic roads completely impassable.
- In mid Wales, the A483 Newtown Bypass in Powys has been shut in both directions after a fallen tree blocked the carriageway between Crossgates and Newtown, with authorities warning that multiple unstable trees remain a danger in the area and drivers being diverted via the A470.
- Snow accumulation has forced the closure of the A4233 Maerdy Mountain Road in Rhondda Cynon Taf, where both directions are blocked between Church Street and Institute Street, disrupting local access and bus services including the 172 diversion.
- In Bridgend county, the A4061 Bwlch-y-Clawdd Road has been closed in both directions due to heavy snow between Heol Pant-Yr-Awel in Pantyrawel and the A4107 at Cwmparc, cutting off a key mountain link through the valleys.
- The Rhigos Mountain Pass, another vital route across the south Wales valleys, remains shut in both directions on the A4061 between Hirwaun Industrial Estate and Treherbert as snow and ice continue to make the road unsafe.
- Also in Bridgend, the A4107 High Street at Nantymoel has been closed due to snow between the A4061 and Scotch Street in Abergwynfi, further compounding travel disruption in the area.
- In Powys, the A44 between Llangurig and Aberystwyth has been closed in both directions following significant snowfall, severing a major east–west link between mid Wales and the coast.
- While not closed, the M48 Severn Bridge remains under restrictions due to strong winds associated with Storm Goretti, with all traffic being forced to leave and rejoin the motorway at junctions to allow for rapid closure if crosswinds worsen.
- Some progress has been made on the A483 at Garthmyl in Powys, where a fallen tree has now been cleared between The Nags Head Inn and the Berriew turn-off, allowing the road to re-open.
- In Conwy county, the A548 near Llanrwst is described as just passable after snowfall between the Pentrefoelas turn-off and Llanfairtalhaiarn, with drivers urged to proceed with extreme caution.
- The A465 Heads of the Valleys Road in Merthyr Tydfil is also only just passable, with snow affecting both directions between Dowlais Top roundabout and Clydach, causing slow-moving traffic on one of south Wales’ busiest routes.
- In Gwynedd, the A458 at Mallwyd remains barely passable between the A470 roundabout and Pen y Ddol, while the A4244 near Brynrefail is similarly affected between the A4086 and Rhiwlas.
- Merthyr Tydfil has seen further disruption on the A4060, which is just passable due to snow between Goat Mill Road and the A465 Heads of the Valleys Road.
- In Pembrokeshire, the B4329 at Maenclochog has been closed by snow between the B4313 and the A487 at Eglwyswrw, while the B4582 at Nevern remains shut due to a long-running landslip dating back to November.
- Blaenau Gwent has been hit hard, with the B4560 at Garnlydan closed in both directions between Queensway and the B4558 at Llangynidr as snow continues to block the route.
- In Torfaen, the B4246 Abergavenny Road at Blaenavon is closed due to accident investigation work between Rifle Street and the Govilon turn-off, adding to regional travel delays.
- North Wales motorists are also facing severe conditions on the A5 at Grisiau-Cochion in Gwynedd, which is currently impassable due to snow between Braichmelyn and the Llanberis turn-off at Capel Curig.
- In Swansea, Rhyddwen Road at Craig-Cefn-Parc remain closed in both directions after snowfall between Rhyddwen Place and Clydach Road made the route unsafe.
- Finally, in Ceredigion, the B4338 near Talgarreg is just passable following snow between the B4459 and the Cefn Hafod pub at Gorsgoch, rounding off a picture of widespread disruption as Storm Goretti continues to grip Wales.
Continue Reading
