Cartrefle
Llanddewi Velfrey
Narberth
Pembrokeshire
SA67 8UR
William Powell AM
Chairman of Petitions Committee
Welsh Government
Cardiff Bay, CF99 1NA
19th May 2015
Dear Mr Powell
Ref: Petition P-03-240 Road Safety on the A40 at Llanddewi Velfrey
In November last year the Minister promised to accelerate the upgrading of the A40 and that the initial work would be completed in 6 months. We are therefore hoping that the results of the investigations that she has said will be completed by the end of May will finally produce a timescale for provision a much needed by-pass and to address serious safety issues in Llanddewi Velfrey.
Members of the Community Council have voiced their concerns about the number of consultations and studies carried out over the past 40 years with no change to the situation. They will be greatly relieved if the Minister now approves taking immediate steps towards provision of a by-pass. However even if that process starts now the safety concerns will remain a real and pressing issue for several years. If the by-pass is delayed even further the safety issues will be an on-going concern.
While, in the past we have raised the issue of narrow pavements and a safer crossing we realise that cost will be an issue if money is to be invested in the by-pass. The simplest and most cost effective way of taking these issues into consideration and reducing overall risks to pedestrian and road users is to rigorously enforce the speed limit. This could be done by installing speed cameras above the speed limit warning signs, as penalising offenders seems to be much more of a deterrent than simply telling them they are over the limit. Slower speeds would reduce the dangers on the narrow pavements, on the pedestrian crossing and at the three road junctions.
Whether the by-pass is imminent or not we hope you agree that action still needs to be taken to improve safety for road users and pedestrians on the A40 through Llanddewi Velfrey.
Yours sincerely
Lynda Hill
Clerk to Llanddewi Velfrey Community Council