“People don’t care”: Residents stage 20mph awareness event but still see speeding motorists

Draethen residents lined the single road through their small village on a busy Friday afternoon to remind drivers of the new 20mph law.

Around a dozen or so people, including children, spent three hours on Friday September 29 thanking motorists for slowing down when entering the village.

However, they were left thinking that some people “still don’t care”, with a number of motorists ignoring the group.

The event was organised by Draethen Community Group, which previously told Caerphilly Observer it had seen “no change” since the 20mph rollout on September 17.

David Morgan lives at the far end of Draethen, where the speed limit reduces sharply from 60mph to 20mph.

Asked what the traffic was like before and how it’s changed since the rollout, he said: “This end of the village is particularly bad and always has been.

“I’ve been here six years and have clocked people going past at 50mph plus in an area where that’s just too dangerous.

“Friday has always been the worst day with people keen to get home. If I wasn’t stood here now they’d be going as quickly as they were before the law came in.

“There have even been occasions where, when walking through the village, I’ve put my hand up for cars to slow down and they’ve deliberately veered towards me.”

Classed as a conservation area, Draethen is a popular destination for ramblers, with nearby historical attractions such as Ruperra Castle and the Motte in walking distance.

Wearing a high-visibility jacket during the patrol, Mr Morgan said: “When people see me from a distance, most are slowing down in fear of being caught.

“We’ve got neighbours to put signs up reminding people that it’s 20mph through here, but there’s always a fear that people who sped before will do so again.”

Andrea Morgan, who previously spoke about the “dangerous environment” residents faced when navigating the village, said she “had seen a difference” on the day, but was also sceptical about the impact the campaign would have long-term.

The rest of the group agreed, as they were stood in the middle of the village – where cars had often slowed down by the time they’d reached them.

Glyn Stapleton, who lives in a house just off the main road, admitted he is very wary when stepping out of his front gate. He said: “I’m pretty much straight onto the road when I leave my house so you need to keep your wits about you.

“I have seen some difference since the 20mph law came in but we need more traffic calming measures such as the narrowing of roads. I’ve lived here since 1989 and it’s become more of an issue lately.

“There are lots of children here and I would fear for their safety if we weren’t here.”

On the other end of the village, Carolyne Trinick and Diane Clayton stood with their signs, thanking drivers for slowing down, some even stopping to chat to the pair.

However, Ms Clayton said some people “don’t care” and called for traffic calming measures, such as a speed camera, to bring about “real change”.