TRAFFIC-CALMING measures outside local schools should take priority over concerns about drivers speeding along the B4342 at New Quay and Gilfachreda, according to Ceredigion County Council.

A campaign by local residents for traffic-calming measures has won the backing of MP Mark Williams who earlier this month criticised the local authority’s failure to hold a site visit.

But, in their response, the local authority spoke of the need to prioritise the allocation of limited resources.

“At present, locations by schools are being prioritised for physical traffic-calming, mainly via grant-funded schemes,” said a spokesman. To prioritise this location above a school site simply on the strength of local concerns would not be appropriate - there seems to be no other justification for considering physical traffic-calming here.”

Mr Williams, who recently attended site visits at Schooner Park and Gilfachreda, was told of fears that a fatal accident would result if traffic-calming measures were not put in place.

At Schooner Park, the MP was told how vehicles regularly exceeded the speed limit emerging from New Quay in the direction of Gilfachreda.

And at Gilfachreda residents spoke of fears that a speeding vehicle could plough into children playing outside their homes.

But the County Hall spokesman said they had no records of any personal injury collisions on that section since 2011.

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