QUESTIONS are being asked about the condition of the newly-opened A40 Llanddewi Velfrey to Redstone Cross carriageway after sections of the road were dug up and replaced less than a year after completion.

The £60 million upgrade between Llanddewi Velfrey and Redstone Cross opened around nine months ago, aimed at improving safety and traffic flow on one of the main routes into Pembrokeshire.

However, motorists travelling the route on Monday (Jan 26) reported temporary traffic lights and lane closures while contractors removed part of the carriageway surface and loaded material into HGVs.

The works appeared more extensive than minor patching or snagging, prompting concerns about potential costs to taxpayers.

Pembrokeshire county councillor Huw Murphy said he had witnessed what looked like a significant section of road being lifted and replaced.

He said: “It was evident that an element of the carriageway was being removed and replaced, with lorries taking away the scalpings. The work appeared fairly significant rather than minor remedial works.”

Cllr Murphy questioned why a road opened less than a year ago would already require resurfacing.

“Even with limited engineering knowledge, you would reasonably expect a new road not to need this level of work for many years,” he said. “It certainly raises questions when you see substantial works within 12 months of opening.”

The A40 is regarded as a key gateway into the county, carrying commuters, freight traffic and tourism vehicles. Any disruption or repeat works can add delays and increase costs.

Cllr Murphy has written to the Trunk Roads Agency requesting an explanation and has asked for the total cost of the resurfacing works to be disclosed. He said he is happy for the request to be treated as a Freedom of Information enquiry.

He added that residents would expect reassurance that public money is being spent efficiently, particularly at a time when councils are facing budget pressures and council tax levels are under scrutiny.

The Herald has approached the trunk road authorities for comment on the reason for the works, whether the repairs fall under warranty or defects liability, and what costs – if any – will fall to the public purse.

A response is awaited.

A NEYLAND councillor has called for traffic calming measures in the town where “a terrible tragedy” was avoided by “sheer good luck” after a car recently hit a house wall, the fifth such incident in less than a decade.

At the most recent meeting of Neyland Town Council, residents expressed their concerns at vehicle speeds in a part of the town.

Town council member, and county councillor, Simon Hancock said: “They came to express their concern at speeding cars losing control on the corner where Honeyborough Road leads into Kensington Road.  On Sunday afternoon a speeding car mounted the pavement and smashed into the wall of No 43 coming to rest in the middle of the road. Emergency services were on the scene.”

He said images of the incident and its aftermath were shared on social media and to the council.

Following that, Cllr Simon Hancock, who is also the county council’s presiding member, said: “I am extremely concerned by some drivers travelling at excessive speeds at this bend.  This is the fifth serious incident in nine years where cars have collided with houses in the terrace.

“Any pedestrians on the pavement at the time could have been killed or seriously injured. I have written to the chief executive, leader and cabinet member [of Pembrokeshire County Council] insisting on road traffic calming measures at this location.

“It is by sheer good luck that a terrible tragedy has been avoided.”

A Pembrokeshire County Council spokesperson said: “We are liaising with the police over the incident to determine the cause of the accident before considering what measures the Highway Authority may take.”

PROPOSALS for a Pembrokeshire Church in Wales school is to be discontinued are “fundamentally flawed,” in part due to land ownership issues, councillors heard.

At last May’s meeting, Pembrokeshire County Council considered a report of the School Modernisation Working Group which outlined the findings of a review of education provision in the Preseli area.

A later July meeting backed a general consultation to discontinue Cilgerran Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School, and to establish it as a 3-11 community school.

“In particular, the review considered the extent of surplus school places in the area, set against a significant decline in the pupil population,” the council in its consultation has said.

The consultation closed on January 30.

Hundreds have opposed the proposed changes, with a petition, on the council’s own website opposing the changes recently closing after gaining 391 signatures.

Any petition of more than 100 signatures triggers a debate at a council scrutiny committee, in the case of Cilgerran that debate taking place at the February 5 schools and learning overview and scrutiny committee.

The Cilgerran e-petition, created by Louise Williams, said of the proposed changes: “Ysgol Cilgerran VC school has strong links with the Church community in Cilgerran and we believe this [change] will have a negative impact on the children who attend the school, the community of Cilgerran and the links between the two.
“We are proud of our school ethos and values which are strengthened by our links with the church. The school has close and strong relationships with our Church in Wales federation governors one of which is also our safeguarding governor.

“Our Church Federation governors work closely with the school and are regular visitors to the school and the children. They provide vital support and guidance to the school and have a positive impact on the children’s education. We believe these links will be weakened by this proposal to remove our VC status and we believe this is an un-necessary action.”

Speaking at the meeting, vice-chair of the school governors Gary Fieldhouse said the loss of the Church in Wales status would be “a profound mistake,” the school’s association with the church “not symbolic but fundamental,” with “a sense of belonging” that would not be the same if it lost that link and would “change the essence of what we are”.

He said the were issues of land ownership, and the “thriving” school, in a strong financial position with no deficit, was likely to benefit in terms of numbers when a new housing estate in the village was built.

Reverend John Cecil said the proposals were “fundamentally flawed,” with the school’s land legally in trust as a Church of Wales school, and change “essentially creating a new school with no premises to occupy”.

Cabinet member for education Cllr Guy Woodham repeated assurances he had given when petitions for other schools in the county, which are facing potential closures, saying final reports on the school’s future would be “as balanced as possible”.

“I’m happy to give that assurance again; to present in a fair way so councillors can make an informed decision.”

Members heard that legal conversations connected with that issue were ongoing, agreeing to note the petition.

A report on the final proposals will be brought to a future council meeting.