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Question from: County Councillor Ian Harrison Subject: Road safety
Question:
The recent notice of a bridge closure near Machynlleth on the grounds of public safety is very welcome and is a clear demonstration of this Council’s determination to prioritise public safety above other issues.
Similarly, the recent letter from Lee Waters MS (deputy Minister for Climate Change) to Councillors regarding the introduction of the new 20mph speed limit from September next year and guidance regarding exclusions also highlights the need for greater public safety on our roads for all users, including cyclists, horse riders and pedestrians, in addition to climate and pollution benefits. In particular he refers to the need for improved public safety where traffic and pedestrians intermix. He then goes on to cite significant improvements in public safety as a result. However, he also refers to the high cost of changing a speed limit, with no obvious course of action to bring that cost down.
Finally, he refers to strong public support for change, another reason for introducing the speed limit reduction.
And yet, in the face of strong public support and some Cabinet Member support for an improvement in road and pedestrian safety at the A490 staggered junction in Groes Llwyd, your Highways department continues to fail to address the issues of ‘line of sight’ and excessive speeds, placing pedestrians, cyclists, slow moving agricultural vehicles, and horse riders at significant risk of harm. Every day during term time young school children and older students have to cross that junction on foot to either attend Guilsfield Primary School or catch the local bus service to attend High School. This a very busy time along that stretch of highway. And exactly the same happens in reverse during late afternoon. Local residents fail to comprehend why Highways expect an additional ‘donation’ of £4000 to initiate the process to investigate these issues on top of the rates that they already pay.
Will the Cabinet direct the Highways Department to investigate this public safety issue as a matter of urgency, and commit resources to properly resolving the line of sight and speeding issues already highlighted.
Minutes: Response by the Cabinet Member:
Thank you for your question, which is an important issue for consideration. As you were advised by the Traffic and Travel Manager on the 16th September 2022, the Highway Authority have agreed that a speed limit would be appropriate on the A490 in the vicinity of Groes Llwyd. A full assessment will now be taking place by the traffic team in accordance with the published guidance from the Welsh Government on setting local speed limits. Once the necessary surveys and assessment has been concluded, a scheme will be drawn up of the most appropriate solution. This solution will then be considered and ranked against all other requests across the county and included within the traffic Management and Small Road Safety Scheme budget. Its ranking within the list will then determine its likely time frame for the legal process and signage changes to be made.
I appreciate that this is of significant concern within the local community and you have provided a very good case already on behalf of your community. However there are equally other areas that have their own issues that are also wishing for their schemes to be considered as a matter of urgency. Within other locations over the recent past, the Community Councils have funded the legal process of the Traffic Order process to raise the scheme within the ranking and ensure that it is implemented sooner than would normally apply. Examples include speed limit changes within Berriew and Llangattock as well as parking restrictions in Glasbury. I can confirm that the £4000 is not to initiate the investigations it is to initiate the legal procedure required to make the signage changes for a speed limit.
The Highways team want the same as you for the communities we serve but there are considerable constraints. By suggesting the Community Council pay for the legal process is a way forward should you wish to take this route.
Following the Councillors forum meeting at Welshpool Depot last week Highways Operations have investigated a possible quick fix regarding the visibility splay exiting Groes Llywd Junction. Officers confirm that provided there are no issues with landownership the vegetation can be scheduled for cutting back, and this should be completed before the Christmas.
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