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A sign held by a bereaved grandfather read a “weak fence for a weak council” as he called on Caerphilly County Borough Council to improve safety measures on the Wyllie bends.

Leighton Reardon’s granddaughter died after her car came off the B4251 in October 2019. Since then, the family has campaigned tirelessly to improve the safety of the road, which links Ynysddu and Gelligroes.

Laurie Jones, 23, was a paediatric nurse and was driving home from a shift at University Hospital Wales in Cardiff when she crashed. Her mother, Jo Jones, said she was two minutes from home. Laurie’s car was later found in the nearby Sirhowy River.

Mrs Jones described Laurie as a “quiet, kind and helpful” girl.

She added: “She loved being in work and doing her job, she dedicated her life to helping others. She would never expect the turnout today.”

More than 100 supporters turned up at the protest on Saturday, October 22 to join calls for a metal barrier to be placed along the road.

Mrs Jones said she is hoping to make a legacy for those that have been lost or seriously injured.

Since 2014, eight accidents, including four “slight” accidents, have occurred on the road.

In February this year, the council erected a concrete post and chain-link fencing at a cost of £350,000.

Mr Reardon described the council’s efforts as “nothing but a chicken fence”.

On September 11, a van crashed through the fence – the driver is believed to be unharmed – and it remains damaged.

Protestor Debbie Davies said: “They think they can appease people with this fence, but it’s not good enough.”

Another protestor, Sam Fleed, said: “They are sat in their ivory tower and don’t know the reality of what’s important to their residents, and the safety of their population.

“If it was their family, this would have been done a long time ago.”

A motion to re-evaluate the cabinet’s decision for a chain-link fence is being presented at an environment and sustainability scrutiny committee on Tuesday, October 25.

The motion is proposed by Ynysddu councillors Jan Jones and Janine Reed, who are both independents.

Cllr Reed said: “Many are miffed that there are so many accidents on this road, people in this village have had friends and family members hurt on this road.”

According to the report which will be presented to the scrutiny committee, street lighting on the road is “not deemed necessary”- due to the 40mph speed limit.

Committee members are expected to make comments on the motion and decide if they support it, before it is presented to cabinet.