CEREDIGION County Council only deployed a vehicle to grit an icy ‘B’ road between Cardigan and Newcastle Emlyn following the entreaties of angry police, it emerged this week.

The B4570 from Manarafon to Cwmcou was the scene of at least two accidents on the morning of Tuesday, 3 January, and its surface was described by one motorist as “like an ice rink”.

Driver Tom Long revealed that a female police officer was so concerned at the treacherous conditions she insisted on leading a convoy of motorists into Newcastle Emlyn at a speed of just 20mph.

“As I reached Neuadd Cross I saw a KA upside down in the road and police and ambulance attending,” Tom Long, 22, of Cardigan, told the Cambrian News.

“I stopped my Vauxhall Corsa and then they ushered me round the vehicle. I was only going at 20mph but the ice just took me. I skidded off the road and into a small fence.”

Although badly shaken, the young Cardigan motorist said his car was undamaged in the accident.

“This woman officer said the county council were not gritting the road as it was not a main road,” he said.

“She described the situation as ludicrous and said senior officers were trying to persuade the council to think otherwise."

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