A494

The A494 is a primary trunk road located in North Wales. It serves as a key transport artery for the coastal and inland communities of Conwy County Borough and Denbighshire. The route commences at the junction with the A55 motorway near the throats of Llandudno Junction, travelling northward through the town of Llandudno. From there it proceeds inland, passing through the historic market town of Betws-y-Coed, before curving to the west to connect with the A494 at Dolgellau.

Throughout its 24‑kilometre length the road alternates between narrow single‑carriageway sections and wider dual carriageway stretches. It offers scenic views of the Snowdonia National Park and provides critical access to the popular Llyn Tegai reservoir as well as the village of Rhoscolyn. The A494 intersects with several minor roads that link rural communities to larger transport corridors, including connections to the A494 at Llannerch Mawr and the B4579 near Llanfairfechan.

The road has evolved over the past century, initially developed in the 1930s as a secondary route before being upgraded to primary status during the 1980s. Significant improvements included bypasses around Betws-y-Coed and upgrades to improve safety on sharp bends and for overtaking. In 2010, a major refurbishment of the bridge over the River Conwy at Llandudno Junction helped to alleviate traffic bottlenecks. The A494 remains essential for local commerce, tourism, and daily commutes, with regular traffic monitoring and maintenance by the Welsh Government’s transport authorities.