New path: Requiring the tearing up of the central reservation

ON TUESDAY (Feb 9) The Herald was made aware of road works going on outside of a farm at the top of Pope Hill, Haverfordwest, which were described as ‘badly planned and a waste of Welsh tax payers money’ by farm owners.

The controversial new road works which are being completed by Atkins Contractors have been commissioned by Pembrokeshire County Council to dig up an existing central reservation separating the main A4076 road into Haverfordwest and a lay-by.

Formerly, members of the public (which farm owner Andrew Clark said you can count daily on one hand), had to walk around the outer perimeter of the lay-by before rejoining the section of pavement without crossing the path of traffic.

However with the new layout, College students, parents and cyclists will be forced to cross both the entrance and exit of the lay-by along the busy main road.

Andrew Clark said: “These works are going ahead and we haven’t even been consulted with, or notified.”

“They are going to have to dig up and remove a small portion of my land to join this new pavement to the current path, which isn’t as much my issue as the cost of the whole job which I expect will be a six-figure contract.” He added.

Mrs Clark said: “They could have spent the funds much more wisely.” She explained: “The new supermarket in Johnston is great, but for years it has had the problem of people abusing the large pavement area in front of it, instead of making use of the shops large car park.”

She continued: “Many times I have been there and seen cars wrongly parked, which has forced prams and mobility scooter to have to walk around very near to the road, once I’ve even seen a car pull up so close to the cash point on the outer wall of the shop that they leaned out to withdraw cash without having to leave their car.

“Why are funds not spent on things which matter like preventing this happening?”

The couple explained how Dredgmen Hill the opposite side of the hill crest has a cycle path running it’s length, which stops at the lay-by which they are working on.

Mrs Clark explained: “Everyone we’ve contacted about this has said that they are not looking to make the pavement along Johnston side of the hill into a cycle path.”

She said how that would be a very wise way to spend a small amount of funds as it would force the council to have pavement indicators of their three property exits, which are currently not labelled to the cyclists who ride very quickly down the hill.

Mr Clark said: “Sometimes I’ve been leaving and cyclists not paying full attention have had to last minute swerve behind my car, it is only a matter of time before there is a serious accident.”

On Tuesday afternoon Mr and Mrs Clarke were approached by a spokesperson from Atkins Contractors who presented a letter which should have been sent out prior to works beginning and sat down to explain what was happening.

Johnston Cllr Ken Rowlands speaking about the cash point parking issue said: “I raised this issue six to nine months ago and they are dragging their feet, I have seen young children with their parents forced to walk close to the road by vehicles.”

He was also contacted by the Clarks, but initially had no idea about the road works, so got in touch with Trunk Road Agency who have said they will be more transparent in the future: “I remember before when there was a lot of communication between Pembrokeshire County Council and the agency, and both used to work very closely, but more recently this has not been there. They have assured me that this will improve.”

After the current works are completed on the lay-by works will begin on another further along the road towards Haverfordwest.

The spokesperson for Atkins explained this is to join the path between Haverfordwest and Johnston as these were previously the only two breaks. They did not address the continuation of the cycle path.

Speaking on the specifically highlighted areas, Executive Board Member for Environmental and Public Protection Cllr Jim Jones said: “Our road safety and traffic manger has recently met with the local member to discuss putting up bollards in John Street and he has also arranged to meet with the town council along with the local member later this month to look at putting additional double yellow lines in the town. Civil Enforcement Officers are regularly deployed to the area.”