Campaigners Call For Extra Measures To Make ‘Dangerous’ Road Safer

Campaigners have called for extra measures to be implemented on a ‘dangerous’ road in Wrexham to help reduce cars overtaking and prevent serious collisions.

Calls have been made to improve the layout at the A525 Bwlchgwyn to help reduce dangerous overtaking and speeding that takes place on the stretch of road.

The speed limit on the A525 has been lowered from 60-50mph, but campaigners want measures including double white lines to stop overtaking on a stretch where there have been more than 100 recorded accidents in the past seven years.

Bwlchgwyn resident Terence Brownhill said: “Police statistics show that over 100 accidents have been recorded within the area around the Moors Inn crossroads in the last seven years, including circa 47 accidents and at least four deaths on the crossroads itself.”

Mr Brownhill has accused the council of ‘passing of the buck back to North Wales Police to enforce rather than restrict the opportunity for further carnage’.

Assembly Member Ken Skates has told residents near Wrexham he will keep up the fight to improve safety on a ‘dangerous’ road.

Mr Skates, the Labour AM for Clwyd South, said: “Speeding and dangerous driving on this road have been an issue for a long time and are problems which seriously concern many of my constituents.

“While the limit has been reduced, residents are still reporting motorists overtaking at high speed and regular near misses. They fear the next fatal crash is only a matter of time.”

Residents have asked for double white ‘no overtaking’ lines to be implemented from the Moors Inn crossroads through to the Wrexham/Denbighshire boundary sign to help reduce the number of serious crashes and fatalities on the road. However they have been told the’road doesn’t meet the necessary criteria’.

Mr Skates added: “Residents say cars are both overtaking and undertaking once leaving the crossroads, often within 50 metres of the turn to Ruthin. There are also a number of entrances to residential properties and crossing points on this road.

“In the spring and summer there is an even higher volume of traffic, and walking groups often use the road as well. Something needs to be done.

“The residents are determined to make this road safer, and I will continue to do whatever I can to help make that happen.”

Mr Brownhill, a Community First Responder who has witnessed several major crashes near his home, said: “Unfortunately, I believe that it is only a matter of time before the next serious incident will occur on this stretch of road. This is by no means the end of this campaign.”

Cllr David A Bithell Lead Member environment and Public Protection said: “We are aware of incidents at the cross roads and preparatory work has been undertaken for the possible introduction of traffic signals at this location subject to a successful bid to Welsh Government.

“Wrexham council has reduced the speed limit at this location from 60mph to 50mph as part of our current programme to review and reduce speed limits on all class A and B roads in county.”