Anger as drivers ‘use road to race like maniacs’
A CAR which mounted the pavement and crashed into four bollards is the latest in a series of traffic problems for the people who live next to the road.
Police were called to Bridgend Road in Aberkenfig on Monday, June 28 at around 10.30pm after a car crashed on the pavement.
It happened outside the home of 48-year-old Michelle Phillips.
She said: “It was around 10.20pm and all you could hear was a sound like four bombs had gone off.
“Our bedroom window is at the back of the house so that’s how bad it was.”
But Michelle said Monday night was not an isolated occurrence.
“They travel like maniacs around here. It took us about six years to get the bollard here.
“The council said because an accident had never happened we wouldn’t have them.”
Thankfully the bollards did take the brunt of the force, preserving the walls and homes of the residents.
Michelle said the police and tow truck cleared the rubble and car that night, and the holes from the posts were filled immediately.
A little further down the road, where the car was abandoned, is the home of councillor Jane Gebbie. She missed the initial crash but was disturbed by the commotion of the scene.
“The traffic on this road is appalling,” she said. “I only moved up here last year. People drive on the pavement, when they can’t get past and they get fed up because they’ve waited too long, or they don’t want to wait, they drive on the pavement.”
Jane said the lack of parking in the area impacts the flow of traffic through the town, and with new houses being built just a few doors up she expects the issue will get worse.
Resident Nicola Thomas said she has been contacting South Wales Police and Bridgend council for a number of weeks about the vehicles which she said “race” down the street.
“They start off at the top roundabout, one car will come through the village and the other car will come down the adjacent road, down the bypass, they meet at the roundabout at south Aberkenfig and see who has come first.”
A spokesperson for South Wales Police said: “There haven’t been any arrests made for this and the incident remains under investigation. We would appeal for anyone who may have witnessed the event, or has any information to contact us quoting occurrence 2100226927.”
A Bridgend County Borough Council spokesman said: “The damaged bollards, which were present to prevent vehicles from driving onto the footpath, have been removed and will be replaced.
“While we are not aware of any recent complaints about speeding at this location, residents should report concerns in the first instance to South Wales Police, either by calling 101 or through a local PACT meeting.”