Government officer to check out sat-nav damage in Llanrwst

Jan 1 2009 by Samantha Castle, North Wales Weekly News

PEOPLE in Llanrwst hampered by HGVs are waiting with bated breath to see if a visit by a Government official will end their sat-nav misery.

Welsh transport minister Ieuan Wyn Jones has offered to send a Government official to Llanrwst to see what can be done to help reduce the number of heavy goods lorries using the narrow roads when diverted through the town by satellite navigation devices.

Llanrwst Historical Society member Pat Rowley said it was about time someone visited the town to see the damage the vehicles are doing.

“It’s about time they listened to the people of this town. It’s not just the weight of the vehicles but the tight turning angles on the roads too. Whoever they send needs to see the damage taking place for themselves,” she said.

“I’ll certainly be asking the officer about the Assembly’s plans for a bypass or something similar as nothing has been discussed with us so far.”

AM for Aberconwy Gareth Jones has been campaigning for road improvements along the A470 and through Llanrwst and recently met residents and police to discuss the issue.

“The narrow pavements of Llanrwst can be dangerous for pedestrians, especially when large heavy trucks trundle past. I know some buildings have been accidentally hit too,” he said.

“Local drivers can make allowances because they know the dangers the roads present, but unfamiliar drivers might not realise how tight it can be for a long HGV.

“A number of people have also commented on the increased number of HGVs using the A470 through the town, perhaps because they have been led that way by their sat-nav device. I raised similar concerns recently when approached by residents of Ysbyty Ifan.

“While we wait for more substantial road improvements around the town, I am pleased the minister has recognised there is a problem and will be seeing what can be done to help reduce the numbers of trucks unnecessarily diverted this way.”

Ieuan Wyn Jones said he was aware of the problem but that a bypass or similar scheme wouldn’t be in place before 2014.

“In the meantime the best thing that I can do is ask one of my officials to speak with the town council to see what interim measures we can put in place,” he said.

samantha.castle