Traffic plans ‘ludicrous’, say villagers
VILLAGERS have criticised “ludicrous” proposals which could see them forced into taking a daily detour to get to Carmarthen – which is just over a mile away.
Carmarthenshire Council is undertaking a public consultation over plans to transform how traffic travels through Abergwili in order to create a threemetre-wide path.
The consultation is part of a study into active travel improvements in the area, which they hope will make walking or cycling more attractive and accessible.
However, with views from the public only being invited for a period of three weeks, the information, or lack of it, on what exactly the plans would mean for residents in the short and long-term has been questioned by villagers, especially those who aren’t regular internet users.
There are two options outlined by Carmarthenshire Council which they have asked people to have their say on.
Option one would see traffic lights put in place at either side of the bridge above the A40 bypass.
This would allow for a ‘dedicated full-width twoway cycle lane’ on the bridge, which would then lead into a three-metre -wide shared use path running alongside Abergwili Road. This would connect with the existing path which starts near Carmarthen Museum at the most eastern point of the village.
The traffic lights would be required over the bridge to provide space for the shared use facilities, but vehicles would continue travel in a two-way direction as they do now.
Option two, meanwhile, would see the majority of the main road being made a one-way route for all vehicles, with a ‘dedicated full-width two-way cycle lane’ from the bridge down to the junction of High Street and Lloyd’s Terrace, where a round
about would be constructed. A shared use path would then run from this point towards Carmarthen Museum.
Effectively, one lane of the current two-lane carriageway would remain open for vehicles travelling away from Carmarthen, while the other lane would be repurposed for active travel and would be off limits to vehicles.
The plans are currently in the ‘options development stage’ and public and stakeholder feedback is being garnered.
Carmarthenshire Council has confirmed, however, that if either of the above options go ahead then they would represent
permanent changes.
Business Chris Thomas and Sons is a well established fruit and veg shop located just yards from where the potential oneway system would come into force.
It would mean customers only being able to turn right when leaving the premises, something that could affect trade, according to business owners Chris Thomas and Tanya Raice.
They called both options on the table “ludicrous”.
With no letters being sent to residents, the only information available publicly is what is on the survey, which does not even make it clear whether
the changes would be permanent or temporary.
“We had a phone call recently from the council asking us for our email address so that we could be sent a survey,” said Tanya.
“Then a customer of ours messaged me asking if we were aware of the changes planned for the village – that was the first time I’d seen the plans.
“The road here is already bedlam at times because cars park on the bridge, causing backed-up traffic.
“If they put traffic lights at either end it’s just going to be even worse. Then the second option would really affect our business.
“Coming out of the shop you would only be able to turn right and go all the way around just to pop to the nearby garage, and it will be the same for customers leaving the shop who are heading back to Carmarthen.
“We are not against the idea of extending the cycle paths already in place, but this will be a massive disruption to a whole piece of road for something that not many people would use – we see how many people use the existing paths.”
Carmarthenshire Council said it did not wish to comment on the options as the consultation period is ongoing.
The consultation closes on February 4.