Temporary traffic management measures introduced in Llanbradach two months ago have led to a reduction in congestion in the village.
Ward councillors Colin Mann and Rob Gough campaigned for action to stop motorists using Llanbradach as a rat-run to beat congestion on the nearby A469 bypass.
They have said the measures have improved the traffic in the village by reducing the length of queues on the main road, and have called on the Welsh Government to approve an application aimed at easing traffic congestion at the Pwll-y-Pant roundabout.
The width of the carriageway at Coed-y-Brain roundabout has been reduced from two lanes to one to create a single lane entry onto the by-pass and timings revised at the Wingfield traffic lights to give priority to traffic on Glenview Terrace/Wingfield Crescent.
Bollards are also to installed at Coed-y-Brain Road to prevent traffic driving on the pavement. There have been reports of lorries and buses mounting the pavement very close to young children being taken to school by their parents.
Cllr Colin Mann said: “We are pleased that the single lane entry onto the Coed-y-Brain roundabout has led to fewer drivers using the village as a rat run while it has helped motorists using the by-pass to get through the roundabout a little quicker.
“We were pleased to hear confirmation from council officials about the reduction of through traffic and we agreed that no further measures will be taken at present.”
Fellow ward councillor Rob Gough, who is Plaid Cymru’s council spokesman on highways and transport, added: “We are keeping a close eye on traffic congestion and will press for further action if the current situation deteriorates.”
In June last year, Caerphilly County Borough Council announced that proposed improvement works on the Pwll-y-Pant roundabout would be be postponed to avoid clashing with major improvements being made at the Fiddler’s Elbow Viaduct, near Abercynon.
A Freedom of Information request by Plaid Cymru revealed that the £5.7m scheme to improve the roundabout was on hold – even though £659,000 had already been spent on preparation works, including felling a host of trees with funding awaited from the Welsh Government.
Cllr Mann said: “I’ve been told that if the council gets approval from the Welsh Government a contractor can be appointed in time to start construction works during this summer.
“The work has already been delayed and the roundabout is currently a major pinchpoint, whether drivers are travelling south towards Cardiff, north up the Rhymney Valley or west towards Newport.”
Cllr Gough added: “Capacity at this junction has to be dramatically improved to prevent gridlock. The Welsh Government must step up to the plate and put money into this crucial scheme.”
We need a major overhaul of the Ystrad Mynach to Caerphilly by pass,with traffic lights installed at all the roundabouts.
The road system is overloaded and just adding additional lanes at Corbetts roundabout will only compound matters – especially with the proposed new housing development for 300 houses adjacent to Dol y Pandy.