Speed cameras to be used in battle against pollution
SCOTSMAN Andy Douglas won the men’s race in the Snowdon International Race with Italian twins Martin and Bernard Dematteis close behind.
Douglas’ time of one hour four minutes was outside the record for the race which officials hoped would be broken this year.
The first Welshman to complete the 10-mile run from Llanberis to the summit of Wales’ highest mountain and back down was Mark Hopkinson of the Cymru A team.
Irish runner Sarah McCormack was the women’s winner in what officials believed was the second fastest ever time for a female runner.
The winners of the men and women’s races had been favourites to be first across the finish line before the race started.
It was the 44th time the race had been run and for Malcolm Jones of Eryri Harriers it was the 44th time he had taken part in the event.
Race organiser Stephen Edwards said the 2019 Snowdon International was a highly competitive event with competitors from Wales joined by runners from other countries including Scotland, Ireland, Italy, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Kenya and the USA.
It is considered one of the toughest races in UK mountain running.
The popularity of the race was clear when the vast majority of the 650 places for this year’s event were snapped up within 24 hours of registration opening on March 1.
Before the race started Mr Edwards said: “We are really excited to have a round of the World Cup coming to Llanberis.
“This should raise the profile of the event still further on the global stage via the World Mountain Running Association’s media reach and will bring an element of world-class quality to the athletes competing.”
Members of the Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue team provided safety cover for the runners on the mountain alongside the North East Wales Search and Rescue Team. with the care of both casualties before both were airlifted to hospital.”
Walkers said the helicopter crew circled the area for more than half an hour winching up first one casualty and then the other before flying off.
One said: “Fortunately the weather had improved during the afternoon and the cloud had lifted clear of the summit by the time the alarm for these incidents was raised, making the job for the helicopter much easier.”
The 10-mile run from Llanberis to the summit of the mountain and back again is regarded as one of the toughest races in the mountain running calendar. SPEED camera operator GoSafe could have its remit changed so that it can catch drivers who race through neighbourhoods with polluted air.
In June last year, the Welsh Government introduced 50mph limits to cut air pollution from major roads in Wales, but most drivers failed to cut their speed. The Government responded by placing “emissions reduction” notices beside the roads, in the hope drivers would show consideration for people near the roads.
Compliance with the speed limit remains so poor that the Government is talking to police and GoSafe about compelling drivers to comply – including deployment of average speed cameras which would operate around the clock.
GoSafe is currently authorised to use speed cameras only at sites with poor safety records or where residents are particularly concerned about the dangers of speeding traffic.
One motoring organisation said GoSafe’s remit – and name – would need amending if GoSafe is to enforce speed limits for environmental reasons.
The 50mph limits were introduced last year on the A483 in Wrexham, part of the A494 in Flintshire, the M4 in Newport and near Port Talbot, and the A470 in the Pontypridd area. The aim is to reduce nitrogen dioxide breathed in by people nearby.
Transport minister Ken Skates recently told the Senedd: “This is to reduce the poison that is being emitted and is being inhaled by human beings. This is a measure that is proven to work. Nitrogen dioxide levels must be reduced.”
The Government says data on the speed limits’ effects will not be available until September, but it has already decided to make the limits permanent.
Tim Shallcross, head of technical policy for IAM RoadSmart, said: “Reducing the speed limit to 50 in known areas where pollution is a problem will have an impact not only nitrogen dioxide emissions but also on particulates from tyres and braking.
“Some people will respond to that. Some don’t realise the environmental significance or choose to ignore it. There ought to be some enforcement.”