Editor

Predictably, the recent incidents on the A487 near Comins Coch have resulted in the imposition of an arbitrary speed limit.

However, speed in itself is not the only cause of road accidents and speed limits only work when they are enforced.

This particular section of road seems to have limited scope for the safe parking of a camera van; leaving enforcement down to patrols by police officers in the hope they may catch an offender in the act.

What do we want our police force to do? Do we want them to chase drug dealers back across the “county lines” or to hand our penalties to otherwise lawabiding citizens who commit minor motoring offences in their attempt to get to work on time?

These will be the people in the firing line, not the habitual speedfreak.

Ultimately the cause of many road traffic accidents in the area lies in the archaic primary road network which is now clearly not fit for the purpose of 21st century motoring.

What happens to the millions of pounds paid in motoring tax and fuel duties by residents of the area and visitors? Where is the road network we have paid for?

Many of the alignments on major roads within 20 miles of Aberystwyth would be recognisable to motorists of the 1920s, 100 years ago.

Several locations where long overdue improvements are now urgently needed come to mind:

• Blaenplwyf – Chancery – Llanfarian.

• Llanbadarn – Glanyrafon – Lovesgrove.

• Capel Bangor – Goginan – Cwmbrwyno.

• Nant-yr-Arian – Ponterwyd – Dyffryn Castell.

• Dolgau (Rhydypennau).

• Tre’r-ddôl – Furnace – Glandyfi.

Bringing the A487 and A44 up to modern standards would improve safety, reduce journey times and cut pollution bringing all-round benefits to the area.

Name and address withheld

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