Madam,

I am delighted that the Barmouth Viaduct Access (BVA) plan for Barmouth Bridge from the A496 is clearly gaining support (‘Minister impressed by town and bridge project’)

The plan has received politician support before. (‘Politician backs plans for traffic-free route to town’).

I wrote to you then (‘Pedestrian-controlled crossing is needed at danger bridge) spelling out the need for a pedestrian-controlled crossing there, if only as a temporary measure until the BVA is built, as a matter of urgency, precisely because crossing the A496 from the pavement below Porkington Crescent to the path to the bridge path is very dangerous indeed

I now understand that Gwynedd Council turned down the idea, some four or five years ago. I am not, however, at all clear as to why Gwynedd took that decision.

I find it hard to believe that it was because the crossing fails a sight line test for 30mph traffic, when lowering the speed limit to 20mph there would be part of any sensible proposal.

Equally, it cannot, it seems to me, be because of the curve in the road and the steepness of the hill on the Barmouth side, making the right-hand-side traffic lights difficult to see from down the road.

For a second (extra) traffic light pole on the other side of the crossing itself would indeed be seen from more than 50 metres away. Crossing the road there as it stands is clearly very dangerous.

I am very glad that the BVA seems to be gaining even more support. It is supported of course not least because of the dangers of trying to cross the road there.

That is why I think a pedestrian controlled crossing is necessary if only as a temporary measure until BVA is complete.

Let us hope that it is not one of Gwynedd Council’s pro-austerity schemes which have left all those walkers, cyclists, runners, family groups and the elderly in such dire danger when trying to cross to the bridge.

I have asked my Plaid Gwynedd councillor, Gethin Williams, to press Gwynedd Council to re-examine its decision, given how downright dangerous crossing the road there is, of which, as a jogger on that route, I am very well aware.

Yours etc,

Ian MacIntyre, Shelbourne Court, St John’s Hill, Barmouth.

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