Fears that only a tragedy will curb speeding drivers
FEARS have been raised that only a tragedy will spark action to stamp out speeding drivers through a Carmarthenshire town.
Calls are being made for more police on the beat to clampdown on “idiot drivers” who are regularly travelling at high speeds around Kidwelly.
In a recent incident, resident Ted Hollands witnessed a car travelling “more than 60mph” along Causeway Street through the middle of town.
This is despite Carmarthenshire Council confirming the road has a 20mph speed limit and reinforced with some traffic calming features.
He has since written to the county councillor Jeanette Gilasbey in a bid for action to be taken to curb the speeding problems.
Mr Hollands, 71, who has lived on Causeway Street for more than 40 years, said he wants to see more traffic calming measures placed in hotspots to deter speeding motorists.
He added: “The driver I saw drove through Kidwelly at a speed I estimate to be in excess of 60mph. I was dropping my grandchildren off at my house when the van flew passed us.
“There were child cyclists by the Factory shop.
“My point is that there is too much speeding going on and nothing being done by council or police. There are a number of drivers regularly transgressing. I know a few.”
Mr Hollands argued the authorities must listen to concerns and take action, adding: “Pressure must be put on police and council to sort this out.
“The powers that be seem to be sitting on their thumbs. Does it need a tragedy for them to take action?
“During the school holiday time children are on the road all the time.
“Old people who cannot move quickly also use the roads along with us all. “We’re all in danger. “We must hasten plans to put a stop to this lunacy. Speed ramps and cameras have to be hurried into use and more police presence until these can be implemented.”
Mr Hollands argued that other towns across the county were seeing action and speed measures being put in place so asked why not in Kidwelly and claimed the issue was being “fluffed” by town leaders.
He said: “We have been going on about this too long. Other towns are getting what we should be getting. It’s time something is done for the people of Kidwelly.
“The streets are unsafe while these idiot drivers are allowed to get away with flouting the law as they do. No police presence and no action from the council to curb this runaway trend of speeding in the town. The children, elderly and infirm are all equally at risk.
“I feel it needs to be brought to the public eye because only then will action be taken.
“I was campaigning recently to stop speeding in the town. Action taken? None.”
Dyfed-Powys Police’s GoSafe unit, which is part of the Wales Road Casualty Reduction Partnership, said in a statement: “We are aware of the concerns regarding excessive speeds on Causeway Street. The local authority have taken positive action and have had physical traffic calming measures placed in the road to assist with compliance.
“We work in partnership with highways on these matters and we are aware that a speed survey is due to be carried out in this area and we are awaiting the results of this survey before we consider any action.”
A Carmarthenshire Council spokesman said: “Kidwelly is generally subject to a 30mph speed limit but along Bridge Street and Causeway Street the speed limit is reduced to 20mph and is already reinforced with traffic calming features.”