Temporary measures to ease congestion in Llanbradach have had a mixed response from residents.
Plaid Cymru councillors Colin Mann and Rob Gough met with council officials on Wednesday November 2, to address the problem of motorists driving through the village to beat peak-time morning congestion on the busy nearby A469 bypass.
Temporary traffic measures were implemented by the council on Monday November 14, including revised traffic light timings which give priority to traffic on Glenview Terrace and Wingfield Crescent, and the reduction of the two-lane carriageway to create a single lane onto the Coed-y-Brain roundabout.
Cllr Colin Mann said: “We are pleased that council officials acted quickly following the site meeting earlier this month and we hope the measures proposed will reduce the number of motorists using the village as a rat-run.
“So far, we’ve received mixed responses from residents, but this is not a straightforward issue, and there’s no simple solution.
“The measures are there on an experimental basis which we’ve agreed to, and while legally we can’t stop people from driving on the roads, we’re trying to persuade people to stay on the bypass and free-up the village centre.”
Residents have had their say on social media about the temporary measures, with one posting: “Since the new measures, it’s been gridlock. Don’t think measures will solve issue as its a knock-on from the main issue of the Cedar Tree roundabout. Until this is looked at you will have back up traffic.”
Another added on Facebook: “Who the hell thought it was a good idea to close off one of the exciting lanes out of the village south end? It has made the situation far worse”, while one resident agreed, commenting: “A five minute journey is taking 40 at the moment! Was better before these restrictions.”
A letter sent from the council to Llanbradach residents also outlined measures due to be put in place early next year, including the introduction of a priority narrowing lane in Glen View Terrace, and the reversal of the existing priority narrowing at the south side of the village.
Cllr Rob Gough, Plaid Cymru’s council spokesman on highways and transport, added: “The officials saw first-hand the congestion in the village in the morning peak period.
“We’ve had a mixed response, for sure. Some people say that the village is now so blocked that they turn around and go on the bypass and it shaves nearly 15 minutes off their travel time.
“We’ll be reviewing the measures in January but people have to understand it may be short-term pain for long-term gain.”
Caerphilly County Borough Council has warned residents the new measures may see congestion in Llanbradach worsen before the situation improves.
Cllr Mann added: “The situation is being monitored and if it doesn’t get better, then it’s back to the drawing board.”