30 Nov 2021
In a letter to Minister for Climate Change Julie James MS who has responsibility over Welsh Government’s Transport Policy, Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn has welcomed Welsh Government’s Report on stage one of its consultation on the A40 road between Carmarthen and St Clears.
The report that was published on 22 November 2021 outlines a long-list of options and transport planning objectives for consideration and in preparation of stage two of the consultation process.
The A40 is a key route on the strategic highway network in south Wales, linking Fishguard in the west to Monmouth in the east, via a number of significant employment and residential settlements across the region.
The road is also a key route between St Clears and onward links to the key strategic ferry ports in Pembrokeshire and important regional population centres such as Haverfordwest in the west, and Carmarthen in the east, linking to the A48 and subsequently the M4.
Over a period of only five years, between 2014 and 2019, there have been a total of 65 collisions on the 15km stretch of the A40 between Carmarthen and St Clears, 11 of these categorised as serious collisions, and 2 fatal collisions.
In his letter to Minister for Climate Change, Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said; “I wish to express my concerns in regards to this stretch of road and my ongoing support in the work that is being undertaken by the Welsh Government and the South Wales Trunk Road Agency.
“Historically the high number of serious collisions along this stretch of road show a high proportion being attributed to or near junctions/cross overs where vehicles have emerged into the path of others travelling at high speed in the dual carriageway where collisions have resulted in serious and fatal injuries, leading to a disproportionate amount of fatalities for such an area.
“The recent report outlines a long-list of options and transport planning objectives with an aim to determine a short-list for the WeITAG Stage two report. I ask that this be prioritised by Welsh Government and offer full support from my office in assisting with this, plus consideration be given for my office to be part of the stage two consultation process.”
ENDS
More information
Gruff Ifan
Policy and Engagement Advisor
