Councillor Campaigns For Pavement On Gwersyllt Danger Road

A Wrexham councillor has called for a pavement to be installed on a dangerous stretch of road in Gwersyllt.

Cllr Arfon Jones for Gwersyllt West said that it was only a matter of time before an accident happens on Summerhill Road where there is currently a narrow 450ft stretch of road with no pavement.

The road is frequently used by the 389 staff and 215 patients at the Pendine Park Care Home on Summerhill Road, as well as visitors and local residents.

There are also two undesignated bus stops used by residents on either side of the narrow stretch with no shelter.

Cllr Jones said that he fears someone could be killed walking down there, especially at night when it is difficult for drivers to see pedestrians.

He said: “It’s an accident waiting to happen and unless something is done then someone is going to get killed.

“I have raised it with the council, but they would need to put in a compulsory purchase order to buy land on the farmer’s field next to the road in order to build a pavement.

“They seem to have put it in the ‘too difficult to do’ tray but if it saves just one persons life then it will have been worth it.”

The plans were met with unanimous backing from Gwersyllt Community Council at a meeting earlier this week.

When asked for the local authority’s view on installing the path Wrexham Council’s Head of Environment, John Bradbury said:

“The council are aware of a long standing desire to improve pedestrian provision in many sites throughout the county borough, with this particular location being one of these.

“We have explored the possibility for improving this area. However there is insufficient space within the boundaries of the available highway land. Transport improvements that require land purchase or other statutory procedures are longer term aspirations and are considered as and when opportunities arise.

“It is important to note that there have been no recorded accident injuries on this stretch of road in the last five years.”

Cllr Jones has started a petition to support the road safety improvements which can be found here.