
Campaigners have called for traffic control to be implemented on a junction in Caerphilly town.
Plaid Cymru activist Lisa Burrows has called for a traffic light system on the junction of Pontygwindy Road and Heol Bro Wen – near the Green Lady pub and the Home Bargains store.
Ms Burrows, who lives near the area, said: “The ideal solution for pedestrians and traffic is a traffic light system.
“With the plans for over 300 new houses on Virginia Park approved, when they are built, the situation is only going to worsen.”
Last year, plans to build 350 houses on Virginia Park golf club were granted planning permission.
Campaigner Martin Downes said: “Greater priority needs to be given to pedestrians.
“At the moment they have to take their chances on what is a difficult bend anyway. It makes sense to have a good traffic control system in place as soon as possible.”
Councillor Phil Bevan, who represents the Morgan Jones ward, said: “In their response to our request for a pedestrian crossing, the council [Caerphilly County Borough] said we would have to wait for another survey to be carried out when the development had been completed.
“Surely good planning practice would demand that infrastructure should go in before the development to avoid the inevitable problems that will arise.”
A council spokesperson said: “A Transport Assessment (TA) was submitted by the applicant to support the planning application for the Virginia Park development.
“Whilst we recognise and appreciate the concerns expressed by some of the residents, the review of the TA provided no evidence or justification to condition the provision of a controlled pedestrian crossing on Pontygwindy Road within the planning system process.
“The Traffic Management team undertook an independent survey following the request from local members which confirmed that the areas highlighted do not currently meet the criteria for a new pedestrian crossing facility.”
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