Residents have once again called for something to be done to stop HGV drivers following their sat navs through narrow country lanes in Mynyddislwyn.
The latest demand for action comes after a lorry crashed into a woman’s car along the lane on August 24, leaving her in a “state of shock”.
Diane Smith, from Pentwynmawr, said the back end of the lorry swung into the side of her car.
Mrs Smith said she stopped her car when she saw the oncoming lorry encroaching onto her lane, but the lorry kept coming towards her until it collided – leaving her car sandwiched between the lorry and the banking on the side of the road.
“I drive on that road a couple of times a day, so I know how dangerous it can be. There was nothing more I could do other than stop.
“I don’t know what the answer is, but the lorries should be stopped. They should stick to the dual carriageways.”
Long-standing issue
Elizabeth Tomlin, who is church warden at St Tudor’s church on Mynyddiswlyn, has written to Caerphilly County Borough Council calling for measures to combat the issue.
Many of the lorries are heading to Nine Mile Point Industrial Estate in Cwmfelinfach and have caused damage to cars and properties in the area.
Ms Tomlin said the wall of the Grade II listed St Tudor’s church has now been hit 12 times by lorries going up and down the narrow lanes.
The most recent incident happened in early August, with repairs expected to cost £20,000.
The church has not long had the wall repaired through Heritage Lottery funding, after it was struck in March 2018.
Ms Tomlin said: “The number of incidents would be far higher if it were not for residents along the lane leading up the mountain, also fearful for their own properties, going out at great risk to themselves and stopping these trucks.”
Ynysddu councillor John Ridgewell said: “This completely unacceptable situation with HGVs has prevailed for far too long and I want to work with our highways officers, partner organisations and local businesses to find options for resolving this situation permanently.”
A Caerphilly County Borough Council spokesman said: “This is an ongoing issue, so the council has improved the signage in the vicinity to deter HGV vehicles from using the route.”
The spokesman said signs had been put up at Pentwynmawr roundabout, both approaches to the A472 Sainsbury’s roundabout and Troed y Rhiw road in Wattsville.
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