THERE has been another crash in Rhyd y Sarn, just weeks after residents launched a road safety campaign to cut the speed limit through the village to 30mph following a number of collisions.

Campaign co-ordinator Peter Jones said of the latest crash: “You couldn’t make it up! This is what we’re living with and why we are trying to get Gwynedd Council to introduce a 30mph speed limit.

Following an article in the Cambrian News on 22 July, Peter said Gwynedd Council installed speed monitoring equipment on a bend in the road in Rhyd y Sarn.

“The council also wrote to say it shares residents’ concerns,” Peter said, “but it has been pointed out that the speed recording equipment had been positioned so close to the bend that most vehicles going over the device were already braking to negotiate the bend, thereby travelling far more slowly than they had been while going through Rhyd y Sarn generally”.

“No response to this was forthcoming.”

“That means the data collected is of very limited value in assessing the situation, especially the number of crashes.”

He added: “The council should bear in mind the Welsh Government’s rules on setting local speed limits.

“For example, guidance says a 30mph speed limit applies where there are three or more streetlamps illuminating the carriageway.

“There are five in Rhyd y Sarn. Similarly, factors like whether the road passes through or severs a local community and the needs of vulnerable road users like pedestrians. All these must be taken into account, especially since they all apply to our community.”

Gwynedd Council said it was “sympathetic to the effect” this was having on local residents and said several measures were introduced in 2017 to improve road safety due to the number of collisions the previous years.

“This included crash barriers, road markings and improved signage, a council spokesperson said.

“We understand the concerns and aim to take additional steps to improve the situation,” they added. “We will be working with North Wales Police to ensure we fully understand all the factors related to collisions in the area and to identify what road safety improvements could be suitable.

“As part of these efforts, Welsh Government funding has been secured to carry out a review of road safety measures by experts in the autumn, paying particular attention to concerns at Rhyd y Sarn. We hope the report and recommendations will be ready by the end of the year.”