Residents demand action to make ‘death trap’ road safer
RESIDENTS of a Newport road dubbed a “death trap” fear what will happen next after multiple accidents in the last few months.
The community on Chepstow Road has expressed fears that not enough action is being taken to prevent traffic collisions, with six incidents occurring on the stretch of road since January.
“It’s just scary. I’ve got a young child and I won’t even let her go to the park,” said Kirstie Jenkins, who lives on the street.
The most recent collision happened on Sunday, April 12, which involved a car leaving the road and travelling through a garden fence. The front gate to the property is reported to have been damaged beyond repair.
“I’m scared that I’m going to see someone killed,” said Ms Jenkins, who was one of the first people on the scene when she said a police car crashed outside of her house on March 29, injuring two police officers.
Speaking about the scene outside of her neighbours’ house following the incident, Ms Jenkins said: “The police car was in the front garden, it took the wall completely out and it was in front of the window where they were sitting.”
In addition to those serious incidents making headlines, there are other, smaller incidents taking place on a regular basis.
“My wife and I have had four cars written off in the last few years,” said John Granger, another resident of Chepstow Road, explaining his fears about parking outside on the road.
“The number of accidents and deaths has risen to a frightening level in the years we have lived here.”
Ms Jenkins also saw her car written off in a collision on January 25.
Mr Granger acknowledged that Chepstow Road had always been a problematic spot for traffic collisions, having lived on the street for most of his life.
He said: “We have lived here for 22 years and are well used to the dangers of the road. My father was killed 200 metres down the road from the house in 1973.”
However, Mr Granger and his fellow residents have decided that enough is enough and more action needs to be taken by Newport City Council and Gwent Police to prevent further incidents.
They have called for a permanent speed camera to be installed on the stretch of road to tackle the problem of speeding, which they believe is the leading cause of the collisions.
There is currently a traffic island installed in the road, close to where Ms Jenkins and Mr Granger both live. However, they do not feel the current road furniture improves the issue - if anything they believe it makes matters worse.
Residents have voiced their worries to both Gwent Police and Newport council. On March 11, the concerned parties discussed the issue at a community meeting, during which residents put forward their point of view and proposed solutions to the problem.
As well as a permanent speed camera, residents have also suggested a mobile speed camera and potentially a pelican crossing as a solution.
WalesOnline approached both
Gwent Police and Newport council for comment.
Inspector Martin Cawley of Gwent Police said: “We are always looking at ways to improve public safety and reducing speeding and the number of collisions on our roads forms part of this. We continuously work with the local authority and partner agencies, as well as the local community, to ensure our roads are safe for all road users; taking action where required and supporting casualty reduction initiatives.
“There are central reservations currently in place along this road as part of pre-existing traffic calming measures, which were installed for the safety of pedestrians crossing this main arterial route into the city. However, we are continuing to monitor the situation and will take steps to resolve any issues.”
A spokesperson for Newport City Council said: “Newport City Council and Gwent Police have been working together to assess reports of speeding along Chepstow Road in Newport. Go Safe routinely monitors speed along the road.”