LOCAL politicians are to meet with the transport minister to call for urgent road safety measures on the A487 following a spate of fatal collisions.

Liz Saville Roberts, MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, and Maentwrog county councillor Elfed Roberts will meet with Welsh Government Economy and Transport Secretary Ken Skates to press for urgent road safety measures on the A487 between Maentwrog and Gellilydan following serious and fatal accidents on the road.

The meeting follows calls from the local MP and community leaders in Maentwrog for an immediate reduction in the speed limit on the busy trunk road which is notorious for its sharp, dangerous bends and steep ravines.

Between 2016 and 2017 there were 26 collisions on the A487 between Maentwrog and Gellilydan, the latest of which claimed the lives of Anna Williams form Penrhyndeudraeth and her six-month-old niece Millie Wyn Ginniver, and seriously injuring Millie’s mum, Sioned.

Commenting ahead of the meeting Mrs Saville Roberts said: “There is consensus amongst the local community that something must be done to cut down on the number of accidents along this busy trunk road and that the response must be in tune with the severity of the problem. I’ll be asking the Welsh Government to undertake an urgent and broad review of safety measures on the A487 with a focus on the stretch of road between Maentwrog and the junction with the A470 in Gellilydan.

“The current level of infrastructure funding being directed towards our rural road network is of grave concern to me.

“I therefore hope the Welsh Government will respond positively and commit to do all it can to upgrade our ageing road infrastructure so it sufficiently meets the demands of 21st century travel.”

Cllr Roberts added: “Maentwrog Community Council wrote to the Cabinet Secretary back in October 2017 to voice our concerns as a community and called for a reduction in the speed to 50mph, months prior to the serious accident in January.”