A RAFT of safety issues concerning traffic in Lowertown has been raised with the Welsh Government by Fishguard and Goodwick Town Council.

The consultation into the A487 Lowertown to Cardigan Road is being carried out by Atkins on behalf of the South Wales Trunk Road Agents and Welsh Government.

The town council has responded saying that there are several safety concerns with the flow of traffic through Lowertown, these include: the safety of pedestrians using the narrow bridge across the River Gwaun, properties being damaged by large vehicles squeezing through the narrow road, HGV drivers ignoring the diversion that is in place and ignoring the 20mph speed limit and the unregulated flow of traffic on the U shaped road causing congestion on a daily basis, with extra-large vehicles becoming wedged.

Councillors and residents also noted that the road surfaces are in a poor condition and are not clearly marked and that road signs are scarce and not timely enough.

The council also questioned whether any enforcement action had ever been taken by the police, when large vehicles had ignored the diversion signs and subsequently 'caused chaos' in the village, and whether the penalties were high enough to deter drivers from taking the risk.

The council has suggested that a full survey of the issues is carried out and includes consultation with local people and the installation of a temporary camera.

It also suggested that a dedicated pedestrian area is marked out on the bridge or a foot bridge installed and that signage is clearer and that priority is given to one direction of traffic on the bridge and speed humps instated on the approach and the middle of the bridge.

It asked that the ANPR camera located on the hill from Lower Town to Fishguard, is programmed to record the numbers of vehicles of an excessive size, and that retrospective enforcement, and heavier fines, were imposed.

The council also asked that consideration is given to installing traffic lights on the approaches to the village, to regulate traffic.