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The grandfather of a 23-year-old nurse who died after crashing on the B4251 road, known as the ‘Wyllie bends’, has called for more to be done to make the road safer.

Leighton Reardon’s granddaughter, Laurie Jones, died in October 2019 after her car came off the road between Ynysddu and Wyllie.

Laurie, a nurse from Pontllanfraith, had been driving home from a shift at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff in the early hours of October 1, 2019 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.

But Mr Reardon, from Blackwood, doesn’t believe enough has been done to improve safety – and called for metal barriers to be installed on the sections of the road where there is a drop to the side, as well as for the street lights to be turned back on.

He told Caerphilly Observer: “There’s no reason for there to be no barriers there.

“The council has put plastic chevrons, but that’s not going to do anything. We need metal barriers.”

Mr Reardon also questioned whether people would stick to the new 40mph limit on the road.

“Police analysis said Laurie was doing between 40 and 42mph at the time of the crash,” he said.

Mr Reardon said he has written to the coroner, Gwent Police Chief Constable Pam Kelly and council chief executive Christina Harrhy about his concerns.

“It has always been a nasty road, so I’d like to see something done.

“I won’t give them a rest until something is done. It won’t bring my granddaughter back, but it will save someone else.”

He described Laurie as “very forward-thinking and conscientious” and spoke of how she aspired to join a Helicopter Rescue crew.

“Laurie was always one to work longer hours because she wanted to do good”, Mr Reardon added.

A council spokesperson said: “Last year a range of safety improvements were carried out along the B4251 route.

“Following a recent site visit by the council’s leader [Cllr Philippa Marsden] and Chief Executive, engineers are currently exploring options to strengthen existing measures and further improve safety on this route.

“Options will be presented to and considered by cabinet.”