A BIKER was airlifted to Morriston Hospital last Friday (Jun 12) after a serious road traffic accident on the A40.

Four vehicles and a motorbike were involved in the collision on Arnolds Hill, and the A40 was closed in and out of Haverfordwest for around four hours. This caused significant congestion on the back lanes in the area, which was made worse by the number of weekend visitors entering the county, as well as people heading to Cardiff to watch Wales’ European qualifying game.

A local resident contacted the Herald while the diversion was in place saying that they feared that there would be another accident due to high traffic levels and the unfamiliarity of some drivers with the back roads used in the diversion.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said that they had received reports of the accident at 12.10pm, and promptly closed the road. The Swansea-based Wales Air Ambulance crew were airborne by 12.24 and assisted a road ambulance that was already on the scene.

The motorcyclist, 46-year-old Paul Hodson, known as ‘Chizzle’ from Milford Haven was airlifted to Morriston Hospital shortly before 2pm. He was returning from a funeral when the accident took place. At the time of going to press he was still in hospital with ‘serious’ injuries.

A40 to be dualled?

A STUDY commissioned last year could lead to further improvement work being carried out on the A40, according to a statement issued by the Welsh Government’s Transport Minister.

Last Friday (Jun 12) Edwina Hart AM provided an update on the study, which was undertaken in two parts. The first of these considered the existing and future traffic conditions, and discussed options for improvements along with probable costs.

The second part involved consideration of the wider economic impacts to the region of dualling the A40 and included consultation with businesses in the area.

The study considered the impact on areas currently served by the A40 such as Haverfordwest, Milford Haven and Fishguard, and the A477 such as Pembroke Dock and the south-coast tourism destinations.

The study reached a number of conclusions including that dualling of the A40 could provide positive returns in the longer term.

The study also found that there was a strong case for bringing forward a package of measures on the A40, in addition to the A40 Llanddewi Velfrey to Penblewin scheme, to improve traffic conditions between St Clears and Haverfordwest.

The measures would involve using the 2+1 layout currently working well on the recently completed A40 Robeston Wathen Bypass and the A477 at Llanddowror. These measures could be delivered in the short to medium term and would be developed to allow upgrading to dualling in the future.

Ms Hart said: “It is my intention to progress delivery of the A40 Llanddewi Velfrey to Penblewin scheme as soon as possible and to appoint an Employer’s Agent to develop an additional package of improvements for the A40. European structural funds are being set aside to support delivery of the Llanddewi Velfrey to Penblewin scheme. Officials will explore with the EU the feasibility of additional contributions from other sources of funding to support delivery of the additional package of measures. The study also concluded that addressing the perceived problems on the A40 would only form part of the solution to improving access to the Haven Waterway Enterprise Zone and Murco site. Congestion at Haverfordwest and along the A4076 is also an issue. I therefore also intend to work with Pembrokeshire County Council to consider options for improvements in this area. I will ensure that the benefits of the proposals implemented are fully evaluated once in place and that the findings are used in the development of further options to improve transport links along the A40 and A477.”

The news was welcomed by Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transportation, Councillor Rob Lewis.

“This scheme has been a long time coming and we are pleased with this positive news”, Cllr Lewis told the Herald.

“We also welcome the Minister’s observation that by using the 2+1 road lay-out, the highway can to be dualled at a future date thus improving transport links both in and out of the county. We look forward to working with Welsh Government officials to implement the improvement plans as soon as possible.”

A spokesman for Pembrokeshire County Council added that as of yet, proposals for reducing congestion on the A4076 in the Merlins Bridge roundabout area have yet to be explored.

*See The Blue View for Preseli Pembrokeshire AM Paul Davies’ opinions on the matter.

Marc Tierney, Labour Assembly Candidate said: “The benefits of improving traffic flows between Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire are too important to ignore. When UK Government cuts pose great risks to developing infrastructure, using EU funding to upgrade the A40 is a reminder of how much we benefit from EU membership.

“But I’m certain the A477 shouldn’t be overlooked as an important gateway to the waterway. I will be lobbying for the trunking of the Cleddau Bridge, it’s critical to the success of the Haven Enterprise Zone. Reducing or removing the toll charge would have an immediate positive impact on our many small businesses as well as the financial burden for local residents crossing the bridge for work or family reasons.”