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Council engineers have been tasked to improve safety along a stretch of road which claimed the life of a young nurse.

In October 2019, 23-year-old nurse Laurie Jones, from Pontllanfraith, was killed after an accident on the B4251 between Ynysddu and Wyllie – known locally as the ‘Wyllie Bends’

Laurie had been driving home from a shift at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff in the early hours of the morning when she crashed. Her car was later found in the nearby Sirhowy River.

Last year, Caerphilly County Borough Council carried out improvements on the road. The speed limit on the road was lowered from 60mph to 40mph, solid white lines were painted to tell motorists not to overtake and chevron signs were installed on some bends. Work was also done to improve the road surface and vegetation was cut back.

However, council leader Philippa Marsden has now commissioned engineers to draw up a report with further recommendations. This follows tree felling along the road.

Cllr Marsden said: “This site has been the scene of a number of accidents over recent years and we are keen to do all we can to reduce the chance of further incidents in future.

“I share the views of the community and believe that more could be done to strengthen the existing measures, so a report will be presented to cabinet in the near future for us to explore further options.”

Caerphilly County Borough Council has said all roads across its area are regularly reviewed in relation to accident statistics and safety measures are introduced where necessary.