roadworks

Some called it the "road from hell" during the roadworks, which started back in 2002, and subsequent congestion, but now all cones have gone and traffic flows freely.

As the Heads of the Valleys road officially opens on Thursday, there are no roadworks on it for the first time in 23 years after its £2bn upgrade to almost motorway standard.

The road crosses the south Wales coalfields, a national park and twists mightily close to people's homes, especially in Merthyr where the final section of roadworks were done.

It's been called the "road from hell" but after 23 years of roadworks and congestion, one of the UK's most expensive and complex road upgrade projects has finally fully opened.

According to taxi driver Michael Gate from Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf, it was a "nightmare" travelling between Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil when the roadworks were taking place.