In his regular blog for Caerphilly Observer South Wales East AM Lindsay Whittle gives his take on recent news.
Pwllypant roundabout
I attended a meeting at the council offices last month to discuss proposals for changes at the very busy Pwllypant roundabout.
We were told that 37,000 cars a day arrive at the roundabout from the north every day while 18,000 a day head north. In addition, there are 45,000 east-west traffic movements at this junction.
Motorists will be pleased to know that there are plans to expand the capacity of the roundabout – which is probably the busiest in the county borough – by adding more lanes which should improve the traffic flow.
In addition, there are proposals for traffic lights and the proposals at a whole should make life a little easier for residents living close to this busy junction.
First World War
I was pleased to attend an event at the Vanguard Centre in the United Reformed Church in Van Road, Caerphilly, which focused on World War One.
People spoke of the experiences of their parents and grand-parents during the Great War through the medium of prose and poetry and I presented awards to those who were judged the best. The overall standard was impressive.
The church, which was packed, also hosted an exhibition on the 1914-18 conflict which was excellent.
NATO
NATO leaders are in Cardiff this week and I’ve had quite a few messages from people in Caerphilly County Borough about the impact of the traffic restrictions on them as they travel into and out of the capital for work and leisure.
There has been huge inconvenience already and many people have questioned the need for a huge fence to be erected around a castle. It’s a castle for goodness sake.
It just seems over the top with the capital full of police – some of them armed with machine guns – police horses and helicopters in the sky. There’s also a host of naval ships, even a minesweeper. And why was it necessary for these restrictions to be in place from the middle of August?
I’ve never seen so many police and people have commented to me that they hardly see any officer in their communities from day to day.
I do question what long-term benefits it will have for Cardiff and Wales other than filling up hotels, restaurants and pubs for a few days. And remember we’re paying for all this.
In answer to Lindsay’s rhetorical questions I will attempt answers,
The fence around the castle – “It’s a castle for goodness sake.” Yes it is a fortification but one that was obsolete by the 16th century and was turned into a dwelling by architect William Burges. It is not secure by 21st century standards.
Host of naval ships – Actually only around seven vessels, and a mine counter measures ship seems a good idea to me.
“Why have restrictions from August” – For many reasons, not least sweeping an area for bombs takes time and the area needs to be kept secure after being declared safe.
“I have never seen so many police officers.” – I have; when I was on strike in 1984-85.
“I do question the long benefits for Cardiff and Wales – There will be no long term benefits whatsoever.
The Pwllypant roundabout doesn’t need more lanes, it needs more motorists to learn to use a traffic roundabout correctly, the majority of drivers in Wales seem to drive around in cars with faulty indicators as virtually nobody uses them, and the worst offenders can be found on roundabouts. A roundabout is designed to help traffic flow not stop it, the approach for a motorist to a roundabout is – be prepared to stop but look to go, most approach, then stop for no reason then continue on in the wrong lane for the exit they require never once indicating to other road users. Putting traffic lights on Pwllypant roundabout will cause more congestion and will cause more accidents, if ignorant drivers used their indicators correctly at roundabouts we’d all negotiate them much quicker and more safely, and the bonus would be less congestion, I have driven the length and breadth of the U.K and around virtually ever city of the U.K and the worst drivers can be found right hear in Wales, they don’t know what an indicator is.