Road will be investigated
AN investigation will be conducted into the A48 in Bridgend by the council following Rhys’ death.
The authority has confirmed that it will scrutinise the speed limit, pedestrian and cyclist movements, crossing points and “all other relevant factors” raised by hundreds of concerned residents since last week’s collision.
But a community councillor, who set up a campaign group called A48 Make It Safe in the wake of Rhys’ death, said action to make the road safer is two decades overdue as his was not the first fatality.
Coun Ian Spiller said Rhys’ death highlighted what he called “the significant failure by Bridgend County Borough Council (BCBC) to ensure one of the busiest roads in Bridgend is safe for all users and pedestrians”.
He called on the council to act urgently to reduce the speed limit on the road – currently set at the national speed limit of 60mph – and create a safe pedestrian crossing.
He said Rhys’ death, following that of driver Christopher Furniss, 68, who was in collision with another car between the Laleston and Broadlands roundabouts in December 2015, and that of another 16-year-old boy on the same stretch of the A48 in August 1996, are “evidence” that change is needed.
He said: “There are so many things wrong with that stretch of the A48 and Bridgend council have put it off time and time again.
“They need to address this urgently and provide what should have been provided when the Broadlands estate was first built.”
He said there is an underpass running from the Bridgend side of the road at Newbridge Fields to the Merthyr Mawr side of the road, but claimed it is “unusable” in bad weather and too inconvenient.
Coun Spiller said children walking from Broadlands to Brynteg School are either forced to walk in the road or cross it twice as the pavement on the Broadlands side runs out part of the way along.
Some county councillors and Plaid AM Bethan Jenkins are backing the A48 campaign alongside hundreds of residents, 244 of which have emailed the council to demand action. A48 Make It Safe is also set to launch an online petition.
A council spokesman said: “Bridgend County Borough Council will be conducting an investigation of the A48 within the vicinity of the accident and the various comments and concerns that we have received will be taken into account alongside issues such as pedestrian and cyclist movements along the route, speed limits, the current provision of crossing points and all other relevant factors.
“Once investigations have concluded the council will be making recommendations based on the findings.”
South Wales Police are continuing to investigate Rhys’ death.
Assistant Chief Constable Richard Lewis said: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with Rhys’ family at this difficult time.
“Officers from the Roads Policing Unit are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident. We are aware of the concerns of local residents following this tragic incident and we will discuss what future measures may be possible with our partners.”