Fears rise after more crashes at blackspot
A JUNCTION in Bridgend is causing horrific crashes, with two accidents at the weekend.
Drivers say they are worried the junction will cause more collisions which could be fatal unless changes are made.
The current road junctions for Maesteg Road and the Pentre Felin retail park have been an accident blackspot for drivers over the last few years.
However, drivers say this has increased with Llanmoor Homes building 150 new properties in
Pentre Felin, work on which will begin in spring.
Cloe Llewellyn, 23, from Pontypridd, was involved in a crash at the junction on the weekend.
She was travelling with her two children and husband and said there are no road signs indicating who has a right of way.
She said: “I was driving up to turn right towards the retail park and we both collided. My lights were green but no-one is really sure of the road markings.
“There was a massive bang and my children were both really scared.
“My car is a total writeoff and it’s going to cost me so much money to get it repaired.
“The other driver didn’t know who had the right of way either and after reading about the junction online, it is clearly a hazard which needs to be addressed.
“I went to the hospital on Saturday night because I hurt my spine and I’ve been crying lots because the crash was really scary.”
Bridgend councillor Tim Thomas said a number of residents have expressed concern about the junction.
He said: “It has definitely been an accident blackspot since last year and that is shown by what has happened over the last weekend.
“Residents in Bridgend just want the council to clear the road markings so that it is safer for drivers.
“I have asked for Bridgend Council to do an immediate site visit and I have asked for senior members of South Wales Police to make a statement and to join me in calling to put immediate measures in place to stop future accidents.”
It is understood once phase one of the housing development is complete, the developers will provide a financial contribution of £250,000 towards sustainable travel initiatives.
They will also provide improvements to the Aberkenfig roundabout.
Llanmoor Homes said there was no one available to comment.
A Bridgend County Borough Council spokesman said: “The current layout is a standard one for traffic signals which is in use throughout the UK – it relies on right-turning drivers waiting until there is a suitable gap in on-coming traffic before making a move.
“There has always been insufficient road width available to allow the council to introduce a separate right turning lane with sufficient queuing capacity and also maintain traffic flow along the A4063 especially at peak times.
“However, we are aware that as part of the extension of the Tondu housing estate, near the Lidl store, there are significant changes planned for the road network from the railway bridge to a point near the petrol station.
“In the meantime, inappropriate driving should be reported to the police on telephone number 101.”