Caerphilly Observer
Member Sign in Manage Membership
Become a Member - no ads
Menu
  • News
    • Senedd
    • Business
    • Newport
    • Opinion
  • Sport
    • Rugby union
    • Football
  • Membership & Subscriptions
  • Notices
  • Advertise
  • About
  • Sponsored Content
Menu

Twelve car crash casualties at primary school at heart of Ystrad Mynach park and ride plan

News | Gareth Hill | Published: 09:00, Friday September 18th, 2015.

ANGRY: Protesters against the scheme demonstrate outside Caerphilly Council's offices in May
ANGRY: Protesters against the scheme demonstrate outside Caerphilly Council’s offices in May

A primary school next to a planned park and ride extension has seen more road traffic casualties in the last ten years than any other in the county borough.

Campaigners against a proposed park and ride road have called for a rethink of the scheme after discovering there were 12 casualties resulting from car crashes outside the nearby school since 2005.

The scheme to provide 180 extra car parking spaces at Ystrad Mynach Railway Station has been given the go-ahead by Caerphilly Council.

Parents, governors and campaigners are concerned that the scheme, which is subject to a planning application from the Welsh Government, will endanger children with increased traffic.

There were 11 casualties on the A472 close to Ystrad Mynach Primary School since 2005, according to the website crashmap.co.uk – five of which were deemed serious although none were fatal.

The figures do not include an incident where a 14-year-old boy was knocked over last October, making the total 12, although no school pupils were involved.

Parent-of-four Rob Symes carried out the research in a bid to make councillors aware of the issue.

Mr Symes said: “With these statistics presented, how can Caerphilly Council push these proposals for a 180 space car park that would attract further traffic on the A472?

“With these statistics now available to them, when are they going to do something to make that road safer instead of busier?

“It worries me how dangerous it is and it really annoys me that nobody at the council will do anything to acknowledge there is a problem there.

“The fact they are planning to attract further traffic down that road at times when children as young as four-years-old are walking to school makes me question their sanity.”

Overall casualties in traffic accidents have fallen significantly over the last ten years.

In 2014 there were 296 casualties in Caerphilly County Borough compared with 507 in 2005.

Of these two were fatal and 28 serious, compared with 11 fatal and 66 serious ten years ago.

A Caerphilly County Borough Council spokesperson said: “As part of our road safety obligations, we review all police recorded collision statistics on a regular basis, and will always investigate any areas of particular concern that have been highlighted through this process.

“Specifically in relation to this issue, the applicant would be expected to review the collision history for the area, which would form part of the planning application process.

“As a recent scrutiny report mentions, Caerphilly County Borough has seen a notable decline in the total number of road casualties occurring over time, with 211 fewer casualties being recorded in 2014 than in 2005.

“This notable reduction reflects the sustained and coordinated programme of work that has been undertaken over a number of years to reduce the number of road casualties.”

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Latest News

  • Treowen Stars handed a heavy defeat by Caerau ElySunday, September 28, 2025
  • Trethomas Bluebirds settle for draw against Cwmbran CelticSaturday, September 27, 2025
  • The North Celynen Practice branch on Ashfield Road, Newbridge, pictured in May 2021
    GP surgery to close branch and move staff and services to main siteFriday, September 26, 2025
  • Aberbeeg Medical Practice, pictured in May 2025
    New operator to take over GP surgeryFriday, September 26, 2025
  • Ex-Reform leader pleads guilty to Pro-Russia bribery chargesFriday, September 26, 2025
  • The new 756 Fast Light Intercity and Regional Trains are being introduced in south Wales
    Cable thefts cause major disruption on Valleys rail lines – with £750k repair billFriday, September 26, 2025

Find out how the communities of Caerphilly County Borough get their names

Caerphilly

Legal & Public Notices

  • Notice of application for a premises licence: Hanbury Road, BargoedThursday, September 25, 2025
  • Notice of application for a variation of a premises licence: Pontygwindy Industrial EstateThursday, September 18, 2025
  • Caerphilly County Borough Council public noticesThursday, September 18, 2025
  • Caerphilly County Borough Council public noticesThursday, September 4, 2025
© 2009-2024 Caerphilly Media Ltd, Caerphilly Miners Centre for the Community Watford Road Caerphilly, CF83 1BJ. Incorporated in Wales No. 07604006.