Route 66 New name for Welsh road?

Discussions taking place to rename the A470, to attract more tourists to visit Wales

It’s the road to the Valleys and beyond – known for its rush hour traffic jams and the many journeys spent stuck behind a Mid Wales tractor.

But support is growing to rename the A470 from Cardiff to Llandudno the Royal Welsh Way to boost the morale of the armed forces and attract tourists in search of a road-trip to remember.

A spokesman said: “The spectacular scenery, activities, attractions, stories and communities along the A470 already make it an iconic tourist trail for many visitors. Giving the A470 a title to reflect this would be an interesting proposal.”

William Powell, a Lib Dem AM, plans to champion the campaign in Cardiff Bay. He intends to lay a statement of opinion to seek cross-party support.

He said: “The A470 is very much the spine of Wales. I think it would be an enormous boost to [the armed forces’] morale if they had that further endorsement. Obviously, the people of Wales are very strongly behind them.

“I look forward to engaging with the regiment to see if we can move this forward.”

Another suggestion put forward in an Assembly petition is that the road should be renamed “Prif Ffordd Tywysog Owain Glyndwr” (Owain Glyndwr Highway).

The petition, submitted by a group called Embassy Glyndwr, yesterday had just five signatures. It was launched in response to the campaign for a Royal Welsh Way, arguing that while soldiers swear allegiance to “English royalty” Owain Glyndwr pursued independence.

John Wake, a leading expert on Welsh tourism, said just as tourists travel great American highways so the A470 deserves to be counted among the world’s great roads.

He said “It’s the Route 66 of Wales” adding that naming it either the Royal Welsh Way or after Glyndwr was “fantastic”.

Tribute songs to the road have been written by both folk singer Lorraine King and Welsh psychedelic band Soft Hearted Scientists, and it inspired a 2005 S4C drama series.

The campaign to name it the Royal Welsh Way was sparked when a member of the public suggested the idea to Lib Dem councillor Mike Priestly via Facebook.

He said: “As soon as I saw it I thought, ‘What a blooming great idea’.”

The councillor is pressing ahead with efforts to install signs honouring the troops along this section of the A470 but he would be delighted to see the entire road renamed.

Mr Priestly said: “If people want to extend the name along the A470, of course I’d back them. Wouldn’t it be great to have a connection from South Wales to North Wales?

“It’s things like this really that get me up in the morning.”

Conservative shadow transport minister Byron Davies said: “Changing the name of the A470 – to further show the admiration and high regard our armed forces are held in across Wales – is an idea that should be properly considered.”

Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/need-to-read/2012/01/18/a470-rename-plans-to-attract-tourism-set-to-take-off-91466-30144762/#ixzz1jniEbN00