GET US OUT OF THIS JAM NOW
CALLS are being made to alter traffic flows around a Gwynedd town on a “death trap” street.
Stryd Moch (Gaol Street) has been a major cause for concern for Pwllheli residents and business owners for years, and now people are campaigning for Gwynedd Council to stop two-way traffic altogether.
Footage has recently emerged of the dangerous street showing that motorists have no choice but to mount the pavements in order to pass one another, posing a risk to pedestrians.
Pwllheli Town Councillor, Jonathan Roberts, recently organised a public meeting for locals to give their views on how the problem should be tackled.
He said: “After the public exhibition last month the vast majority of people wanted a one way system extending the length of the street.
“At the next Town Council meeting I’ll be proposing we ask Gwynedd to get the ball rolling on changing the traffic flow to one way along the whole length of Gaol Street.
“At this moment in time it’s a death trap. I had to move into a shop doorway last week because a transit van was driving on the pavement.
“As a motorist it’s a nightmare, I’ve driven in many countries and this has to be one of the most difficult short stretches of road I’ve seen.
“Last week I had a call from a business owner whose shop is at the top of Gaol Street.
“When I arrived there were cars driving on both pavements and people were coming out of pubs and restaurants and walking straight into the paths of cars and vans.
“Some people maintain there is no problem, but all I’m going to say is open your eyes.”
Gwynedd Council has now said that they are looking into the problem, but maintain that introducing a one-way system on Gaol Street would not alleviate the main concerns regarding footways in the town centre area.
The authority is now suggesting that an alternative possible longterm option of a shared space along Gaol Street might be the best option.
A Gwynedd Council spokesperson said: “We accept the concerns regarding traffic flow along Gaol Street in Pwllheli and officers from the Transportation and Street Care Service have been in discussions with representatives from the Pwllheli Town Council for some time regarding the matter.
“We carried out a feasibility study into a number of possible options to alter traffic flows in and around the Pwllheli town centre last year.
“Following this process, a public exhibition was held in the town to allow local residents and businesses to share their views where it became obvious from that the main concerns relate to vehicles mounting what are already narrow pavements in and around the town centre area.
“As a result, a senior officer from the Council’s Transportation and Street Care Service presented the feedback from the public exhibition explaining that introducing a oneway system on Gaol Street would not alleviate the main concerns regarding footways in the town centre area.
“An alternative possible long-term option of a shared space along Gaol Street was presented to the town council at a recent meeting, and we are currently awaiting feedback from the town council.
“We understand that the town council will be discussing the matter in the coming weeks.”