P-06-1319 Provide a pedestrian crossing on A4042 at Goytre Arms crossroads and reduce the speed limit to 20mph, Correspondence – Petitioner to Committee, 09.02.23

Many thanks for your response which brings encouraging news for the residents of Goytre Fawr Ward including the village of Penperlleni.

As regards the attached letter from Lee Waters AS/MS, I am pleased to note that we have moved forward from ‘meeting the threshold’ to securing ‘additional funding for this project and are able to undertake stage 2 of the pedestrian crossing assessment this financial year.’ I can also confirm that villagers noted the monitoring cameras and wire speed detectors employed recently around the location of the bus stops. Earlier this week members of the recently formed GoSafe Speedwatch group spoke with SWTRA staff who were taking measurements around the area of the bus stops. This is all very encouraging news.

The 64 million dollar question is of course: When will we get our crossing?

Realistically, may there be some money found as we come to the end of the budget setting period to bring the conclusion of this  project further forward into the coming financial year?

As already mentioned we now have a Speedwatch group that came into action this week. With 24 volunteers coming forward and vetted I am reliably informed that this is one of the largest groups ever formed and reflects the depth of feeling (and raw grief) felt by our villagers. They have already forwarded data to the Police computer and offenders will receive letters. The group is also looking for other hot spot locations to monitor within the ward of Goytre Fawr and are able to provide useful data.

I note that following the Wales Transport Strategy 2021 report that new guidance will be published later this year and may see a change in the criteria for lower speed limits in Wales.

Our petition asked that you consider lowering the speed limit to 20 mph for a number of reasons. Primarily Parc y brain Road meets the Goytre arms crossroads from the west and is a lane where national speed limit applies. Unfortunately cars coming out from this junction find the sight line completely obscured to the south as there is a house and driveway. Probably ok in the days of the horse and cart. Sadly we are inheritors of a not fit for purpose road network.

I addition to this our Primary School, Community Centre, Village Hall and Aderyn Hospital are all within 100 Metres of the crossroads. I do ask that you consider us as a special case for 20 mph on a Trunk Road. Precedent already exists on the A40 in Abergavenny.

The A4042 runs through the entire length of my ward of Goytre Fawr. There are other sections of it that raise concerns among our residents. I ask that in the coming review you take a close look at the entrance to The Secret Garden (garden centre) where I believe Atkins have produced plans for a revised layout. This should be a priority as it is close to the boundary of Monmouthshire/Torfaen and the new development of 800 homes, the commencement of construction of which is imminent. Doubtless the already very popular Secret Garden will become more so. A welcome boost to our local economy but increased potential for incidents.

To the north of Penperlleni as you leave the village (national speed limit section) the business units at The Cedars are thriving. In particular The Bafflehouse Café attracts hundreds of visitors particularly bikers at the weekends. There is an increased potential for incidents here.

I would also like to add that the Villagers of Llanover have exactly the same problem as those in Penperlleni in not being able to use the bus stops. Elderly residents just won’t use the buses as they can’t cross the road. This is counter to Active Travel objectives and impacts on pollution reduction targets as they rely on relatives for lifts in their cars. I would also like Welsh Government to consider a crossing to connect  the bus stops in Llanover.

As a frequent user of the A4042 my observation is that the variable speed limits along it lead to speeding up/slowing down which causes bunching and bad tempers! I think during the upcoming review that changing the limit to 40 mph for the entirety of the road from the Little Mill, Berthon Road traffic lights(where 2 lanes become 1) to the Hardwick Roundabout, Abergavenny should be considered. This would smooth the flow of traffic and reduce pollution thus making it safer for us all.

This may sound like a bit of a wish list with some big asks. I therefore thank you for taking your time to consider my response in your committee meeting.

Best regards,

Jan Butler