Residents fight to slash 50mph speed limit through Welsh village
A petition was launched by a Pembrokeshire village resident to lower the speed limit on the stretch of the A487 which passes a pub and a primary school with a 50mph limit
People living in a Pembrokeshire village say a 50mph speed limit is not safe
(Image: PA )
A Pembrokeshire village, previously flagged for 'serious safety concerns', could see its speed limit reduced after hundreds of people signed a petition calling for a change.
Last November, Pembrokeshire councillors reviewed a petition advocating for a lower speed limit in Square and Compass, north Pembrokeshire. The petition called for a reduction of the current 50mph limit on that stretch of the A487 Fishguard-St Davids road. The petition, initiated by Emma Tannahill, garnered 127 signatures on the council's website and an additional 152 on paper. Tannahill hopes to see the speed limit lowered to 40mph.
The petition stated: "We call on Pembrokeshire County Council to reduce the current speed limit of 50 miles per hour on the main road (A487) through Square and Compass as it is a serious safety concern for the community. This road is home to many families with young children." For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here .
The petition continued: "A school bus from Croes Goch Primary School has a drop-off point on this stretch of road which further exacerbates the risk of accidents. In addition, there are young families that cycle to and from Croes Goch primary school along this road.
"This section of road also serves as a thoroughfare for traffic to and from Croes Goch petrol station and Torbant caravan-site. Both of which see a high volume of traffic and pedestrian activity.
"The high speeds of traffic on the main road is a risk to those coming in and out of these sites. In addition to the petrol station and caravan-site there is also a pub and public bus stop, both of which are adjacent to this 50 mile-per-hour section of road.
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"Reducing the speed limit would significantly improve safety for pedestrians and cyclist."
During the scrutiny meeting, committee chair councillor Mark Carter shared his experience of driving through the area post-petition, describing the 50mph limit as "bizarre" compared to similar roads in other villages with 40 and even 20mph limits.
A public consultation has now been initiated, with local member councillor Neil Prior stating: "Following years of work and campaigning, Pembrokeshire County Council is formally consulting on reducing the speed limit from 50 to 40mph from Mesur-y-dorth to the bottom end of Square and Compass.
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"Thank you to all who have helped with this, and I hope that it will see a reduction in speed and an improvement in the quality of people's lives as a result."
The consultation document reads: "The review concluded that the current limit should be reduced from 50mph to 40mph to maintain a safe and consistent speed distribution along this length of the A487 and ensure the safety of all turning movements from the accesses, junctions and through traffic."
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