Plans to tackle “challenging” air quality issues on the most polluted road in Wales have moved a step closer.
Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet have agreed to progress seven schemes to reduce nitrogen dioxide levels on the A472 at Hafodyrynys Road, Crumlin.
Several houses in Woodside Terrace, the Woodside shops and Yr Adfa could be demolished to make way for a realignment of Hafod-Yr-Ynys Road.
Other proposals include a change in signal timings at the A467 Crumlin junction, a ban on heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) at peak times and creating a Clean Air Zone covering the hill.
Before an initial plan with six schemes was approved on Wednesday, Councillor Sean Morgan asked for a seventh option to be considered.
“Where the road runs alongside Woodside Terrace, the speed limit goes from 30mph to 60mph,” said Cllr Morgan.
“I ask that we trial a reduction of that speed limit from the national speed limit down to 30mph and remove the overtaking lane, leaving only two lanes.
“From my experience as a driver of HGVs, a constant throttle [at 30mph] going up that hill would be more efficient for vehicles.”
Cllr Morgan’s idea would see the 30mph limit stretch from the A467 junction and up into Hafodyrnys village.
The meeting heard that such an idea had been considered and discounted by council officers, but senior councillors voted to allow for the option to be trialled.
A fully costed business case of each of the options will now be completed ahead of submission to Welsh Government in June 2019.
Christina Harrhy, the council’s interim chief executive, told the meeting that addressing issues on the A472 “would not be straightforward”.
“This is a significant challenge as the A472 is a strategic highway network for us,” said Ms Harrhy.
“If we pursue the option of banning HGV at peak hours, how would that work and where would the displaced HGVs go? We’re juggling a number of variables.”
Councillor Dave Poole, leader of the council, added that such a ban could be difficult to enforce with a “growing number” of foreign HGV drivers using the road.
He asked: “How are we going to let foreign drivers know that that there’s going to be a ban, and where will we allow facilities for them to turn around?”