Following calls by Clwyd West Assembly Member Darren Millar and local councillors, the Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure has revealed plans to implement safety measures on a dangerous stretch of road in rural Denbighshire.

Darren has long been urging the Welsh Government to review highway safety on the A494 at Llanbedr DC following a number of serious accidents along the stretch.

This week he received a letter of response from the Transport Secretary, Ken Skates AM, stating that “appropriate improvement measures are being considered”.

The letter states: “A Vehicle Activated Sign (VAS) assessment has been carried out within the village and the recommendation is to install a Vehicle Activated Sign (VAS) within the 30mph limit through the village. Officials are also considering a VAS within the Eastern 40mph buffer zone, which if agreed will be installed as the same time as the one in the 30mph zone.”

Welcoming the plans, Darren said:

“I am very pleased that the Cabinet Secretary has finally taken on board the concerns I raised with him and is implementing measures to ensure this notorious accident blackspot is made safer. I am also glad that he has asked his officials to arrange the installation at the earliest opportunity and that the Trunk Road Agency is going to be cutting back a hedge to improve visibility along this stretch.

“In addition to these measures I am also advised that the Welsh Government is commencing a wider Speed Limit Review and that longer term improvement measures at Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd will be considered as part of this three year study looking at all aspects of road safety across Wales. The outcomes of approximately 200 sites reviewed this year will be programmed for work over the next few years with priority work commencing in 2018/19.”

Denbighshire County Councillor for Llanbedr, Huw Williams, said:

“The locality has been the scene of a number of accidents in recent years, and many near misses, so action on this stretch of road is long overdue. I am therefore pleased that the concerns we have been raising are at last being taken seriously and that safety measures are going to be introduced.”