We visited towns connected by the Heads of the Valleys Road
The big question on everyone's mind is will the towns connected by the road benefit economically in any way?
Around £1.4 billion was spent on the project in total. Was it worth the cost?
Former First Minister and Secretary for Finance Mark Drakeford pictured next to the Heads of the Valleys Road (Image: NQ) Former First Minister and Secretary for Finance Mark Drakeford believes so.
He told the Argus: 'This is much more than just a road. The road brings with it those economic opportunities that we know have been in short supply at the top end of the South Wales valleys.
'Now, because there will be this new resilient, reliable, road businesses will come jobs will be created.'
These locals had mixed reviews about promised economic success.
Christopher Bevan in Abergavenny shared what he thought about the Heads of the Valleys Road (Image: NQ) 57-year-old Christopher Bevan lives in Abergavenny.
He thought the road would benefit the local economy in a good way.
Christopher said: 'I think it makes it more desirable to live in this whole area because now you're at commuter distance.
'For example, in Abergavenny you could commute to Birmingham in two hours, Bristol in an hour, Cardiff in an hour and Swansea in an hour. It turns places like this into a potential hub of some sorts.'
Neil Wilkes in Tredegar shared what he thought about the Heads of the Valleys Road (Image: NQ) Neil Wilkes 68 was out and about in Tredegar.
When asked about the roads impact on the local economy he said: 'I don't think it's going to bring more business is it what it is I suppose.
'The one going west is okay but the one going to Abergavenny there's a 50-mph speed limit and it's a dual carriageway so what was the point?'
Paul Gwilliam of the Homestead café Brynmawr shared what he thought about the Heads of the Valleys Road. (Image: NQ) Paul Gwilliam 57 owns Homestead Café Brynmawr.
Paul thinks it'll bring help the wider economy and local economy.
He said: 'I'm 50-50 it's going to do both things. Hopefully it'll work both ways.
'People can get down to Swansea and other areas quicker but on the other hand people can come out to use the utilities in this area like Big Pit.'
Sarah Brown of Browns Hair and Beauty Salon Ebbw Vale shared what she thought about the Heads of the Valleys Road (Image: NQ) Sarah Brown owns Browns Hair and Beauty Salon in Ebbw Vale.
She thought it might encourage business further afield.
Sarah said: 'I drove down to Saundersfoot the other day and that new road is fantastic.
'It was amazing, and it took a lot off my journey so would people maybe start going? Perhaps businesses will leave the town.'
Paul Ives was with Lizzie Whittlesea out for lunch in Ebbw Vale (Image: NQ) Paul Ives 53 was enjoying a spot of lunch in Ebbw Vale.
He thought the road would benefit local businesses.
Paul said: 'I think it will send more people in because it's a more direct route. Business needs to come here because with a lot of the valleys there's not many shops.
'Before there was a lot of traffic congestion so it's going to help a lot.'
Valery Hill in Abergavenny shared what she thought about the Heads of the Valleys Road (Image: NQ) Valery Hill 89 was out in Abergavenny.
She said: 'I live on the side of the mountain near the road, and I've lived there for 34 years, and it's just changed the whole environment and not all for the good.
'It was hoped that it would bring industry and life into the valleys, and it hasn't. It's made the little villages easier to bypass.'
It's fair to say that locals connected by the road had different views.
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