Efforts being made to ease traffic hotspots
CARMARTHENSHIRE Council has responded to the latest concerns about two traffic hotspots in Llanelli.
The latest concerns are over new traffic lights being installed at the junction of Capel Isaf Road, Frondeg Terrace and Capel Road in Llanelli.
They follow the longrunning saga over Sandy Road, where the lights at the Iscoed Road junction and general traffic delays have been a daily headache for commuters.
Last week, Llanelli’s Welsh Assembly Member Lee Waters sparked a war of words after accusing Plaid Cymru of playing party politics over Sandy Road.
The Labour AM called on Plaid Cymru-controlled Carmarthenshire Council to reveal its ‘secret plan’ for the road.
He accused Plaid Cymru of playing politics with commuters and holding back a plan to improve the situation until the Welsh Assembly elections.
The claims by Mr Waters were rubbished by Plaid Cymru.
Carmarthenshire Council’s head of highways and transport, Steve Pilliner, gave the authority’s latest update on the Sandy Road situation.
He said: “Signals have been adjusted to extend the timing for peak flow movements over a period of time which has help improve traffic flows.
“Modelling work is under way with microsimulation for Sandy Road, and further feasibility work will be completed when this work has concluded.
“We will then move to a consider detailed design stage for any proposed works, subject to securing finance via a grant funding bid.
“In the interim, surfacing works are planned near Denham Avenue and once these works are complete, ‘ keep clear’ markings for right-turn movements into Ysgol y Strade and a dedicated lane for right-turn movements into Coleg Sir Gar will be introduced to further assist with traffic flows in the area.”
At Capel Isaf Road, the problems prompted action by Mr Waters and Llanelli MP Nia Griffith.
They called a public meeting after receiving complaints about a huge increase in congestion following the installation of temporary lights.
Permanent lights are due to be installed next month, following the completion of 29 new homes on land adjoining Capel Isaf Road.
Carmarthenshire Council will install a new fourway light system on the junction of Capel Isaf and Capel roads and Frondeg Terrace, a junction which is currently controlled by a mini roundabout.
At the meeting, residents called on the council for a pause in the rollout of the new lights to see how the road copes with traffic from the new houses.
Mr Piliner said: “Improvement works are currently under way at Frondeg Terrace Llanelli and are in accordance with the approved planning consent.
“The works include the introduction of a signalised junction to enable safe access to the recently constructed housing development.
“The works will also ensure the safe passage of traffic and pedestrian use, relative to the highway function and level of use.”