A COUNCILLOR has accused Scottish Power of making “little or no effort” in the battle against climate change, claiming traffic lights were left at a site for longer than needed.

Cllr Mike Stevens told the Cambrian News that cars waiting at traffic lights by roadworks at Pendre Enterprise Park in Tywyn caused unnecessary pollution.

Cllr Stevens, who represents Tywyn on Gwynedd Council and also sits on the town council, said: “Scottish Power had a three-way traffic light control system on the main road in and out of Tywyn for four days with no work taking place.

“The roadworks were on the A493 the main northern approach road outside the Pendre Enterprise Park.

“We all accept roadworks will take place causing disruption occasionally and we all just have to put up with it.

“But when traffic lights are left there for so long with no work taking place people find it infuriating.

“From Friday, 18 June, through Saturday, Sunday, and Monday over a busy summer weekend there was massive disruption caused to road users.

“All manner of vehicles were held up with engines idling away causing unnecessary pollution from vehicle emissions and wasting people’s time sitting in long queues.

“The work was not even being done on the road; it was a very small area of the grass verge at the side that was dug up so it wasn’t as if a road had to be resurfaced.

“Two workmen eventually turned up on Tuesday simply to fill the hole in which they did within a couple of hours but the three-way traffic lights were left there until 6pm.

“In all they were there for over 100 hours more than was required to do the job.

“Welsh Government deputy minister for climate change Lee Waters has announced a suspension in all new road building as part of a plan to reduce net zero emissions by 2050.

“I have written to him urging him to bring in strict rules for utility companies who dig up roads.

”Immediately the work is completed they should open the road or face severe fines.

“Scottish Power seem to make little or no effort in the battle against climate change.”

A spokesperson for SP Energy Networks said: “We’re sorry for the disruption caused by the recent essential works to repair a significant underground network cable fault in Tywyn.

“The temporary traffic lights were removed as soon as it was safe to do so and all the works were completed within four days.

“We’ve spoken directly with Cllr Stevens about this and thank him for his time.”