A mother-of-four has vowed to continue a campaign to have a safety barrier erected alongside a busy road.
Castle View resident Rhiannon Williams is calling for the barrier after a spate of accidents on Caerphilly Mountain Road.
In 2008 a car lost control when speeding down the road and crashed into the back of houses, taking out five fences. In 2011, the same thing happened.
The crashes left Mrs Williams fearing to allow her children to play in her back garden.
The 36-year-old medical secretary started a Facebook group and an online petition following a recent crash on the mountain road.
At a February 21 meeting with Cllr Tom Williams, Caerphilly County Borough Council Cabinet Member responsible for Highways, campaigners were told that crash barriers were to protect drivers, not residents and buildings.
This means they can only be erected if drivers are at risk.
They were also told that the cost of a barrier is not feasible under the council’s budget restraints.
Following the meeting, Mrs Williams said: “They said it would cost £30,000 and we’re horrified that our children aren’t worth that.
“We won’t feel safe until there’s a barrier – we want that protection.”
A road assessment took place in October 2013 resulting in a low risk classification, but only takes account of the last five years and not the first crash into the family’s garden that took place in May 2008.
Mrs Williams added: “Highways did admit in a previous email that if they had assessed the area earlier it may have been classed as a ‘medium risk’ area – although from what they said it could be classed as a high risk area and they still would not erect a barrier.
“Regardless of a low or medium risk area, I feel that children should be able to play safely in their own gardens without any risk of being hit by a car.”
Cllr James Pritchard said residents should be protected as well as drivers and had asked Transport Minister Edwina Hart if the Welsh Government had any jurisdiction on this issue.
He said: “The fact is we’ve got a precedent here. Cars have crashed through garden fences twice putting children at risk and I’m supporting the resident’s campaign to erect this barrier to the best of my ability.”
Cllr Williams said the meeting was positive and the council are concerned about the safety of roads across the county borough, but highlighted gaps in funding due to council cuts.
He said: “Nothing has been decided yet, I am not against a barrier but it’s got to be done under the rules and regulations and if we can get the money.”
He added that he is working with Caerphilly AM Jeff Cuthbert to find the best solution.
Mr Cuthbert said: “I believe the collisions in 2008 and in 2011 in this identical spot mark this area of road out to be a special case so I support a safety barrier being installed here to protect local families.”
The campaigners have been invited to speak at a full council meeting on March 17.
Highways say that excessive speed is not a problem. The average speed of the road is actually higher than the 40mph speed limit.
I made a freedom of information request regarding the traffic surveys which have been carried out on the A469 Heol Cae Barrau section.
They carried out a traffic survey behind our house after the 1st crash. It was from 5th – 11th December 2008 using black cables across the road. Normally cars slow down when they see these sort of surveys being carried out. Yet the highest speed recorded during this period was 93.1mph.
After the 2nd crash, Highways carried out another survey from 14th-20th July 2011. This time the highest speed recorded was 98.9mph.
This is on a 40mph road and we are supposed to feel safe with our children playing a few meters away.
Good luck to the campaigners for this. Looks as though a lot of hard work has been put into this campaign so well done to Rhiannon Williams.
Keep up the good work. More support needed to carry this through. Glad there is support from some of the politicians.
Long, long time ago in the late 60s, a coach came careering down the Mountain rd and crashed in the town centre nr Pentrebane st.
Anyone remember?
They banned all private coaches after that!