Decision delayed on plans to ban right hand turns on A48 stretch

COUNCILLORS have deferred a decision on closing junctions on a notorious stretch of dual carriageway.

Carmarthenshire Council's executive board wants more information from the emergency services before deciding whether to pass the necessary road orders to ban 95 per cent of right turns along a stretch of the A48 between Pont Abraham and Cross Hands.

Philip Hughes, executive member for transport, said: "We are awaiting some clarification from the emergency services."

The Cwmgwili junction is a particular worry. Colin James, 66, died in April after two speeding drivers hit his car as he attempted to cross the A48 there.

And the previous spring, Roger Bowen, 55, died after a collision with a police car while he tried to cross Cwmgwili junction.

The Assembly's South Wales Trunk Agency is responsible for the road, and Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones has said safety measures, particularly at Cwmgwili, are a priority.

Carmarthenshire Council has been asked to make the necessary traffic regulations to achieve the agency's safety plan, but it wants to be certain the consultation responses they received are complete.

The police, fire and ambulance services said they had no objections to the plans.

But council chief executive Mark James told the Post: "We need a little bit more than that."

He said some of the farmers nearby had come to them with some information which they wanted to check with the emergency services.

The A48 Road Safety Group represents more than 100 people living near that stretch of road.

They agree that Cwmgwili should shut, but want other junctions to remain open, believing closing them could make matters worse.

Group member Brian Hamer said: "We are pleased Carmarthenshire Council is taking more notice of the problems involved and we hope it will use this time now to look in depth into the problems."

An Assembly spokesman said the works were likely to go ahead if the council approved the plan, but it would have to think again if it suggested amendments.

The plans are due back before the executive on Tuesday, January 18.

Peter Beardsley Middle East Gareth Barry Children Liberal-Conservative coalition Nepal