RESIDENTS living along the proposed route to dual the Heads of the Valleys trunk road between Gilwern and Brynmawr have been sent letters informing them that their land could be subject to a compulsory purchase order.

The letter from the Welsh Government is part of the due process that needs to be carried out before contractors Costain can begin work on the widening and dualling of the A465.

However, one Clydach Gorge resident, who lives in Park Crescent which is some way from the proposed route has also received a letter from Alan Chase the Welsh Government's contracts and procurement manager for transport and governance

Local County Councillor Simon Howarth (pictured) said: "This notification is ringing alarm bells for me. While the Welsh Government is carrying out its statutory duty to inform residents of the likelihood of compulsory purchase orders being issued, Park Crescent is definitely not on the intended route.

"The developer has the authority to slightly deviate from the approved route, but Park Crescent would mean that the scheme has moved the goal posts.

"We had a big public consultation over the dualling issue in 1995 and if this letter is not just an administrative error then we could have a big fight on our hands.

"If the plans have been changed substantially then I shall be calling for a judicial review that will allow for a planning inspector to examine the whole situation again."

The Welsh Government was unable to comment on the issue before the Chronicle went to Press.