Laura Anne Jones asks the First Minister for an update on the Raglan A40 junction
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00an update on the A40 Wragland bypass safety survey undertaken by Sutra.
00:05The Welsh Government takes road safety very seriously and uses evidence-based,
00:10data-led studies to inform appropriate measures to improve safety on the strategic road network.
00:17First Minister, for decades now, the Wragland bypass junctions have been near-death traps
00:21for residents in Monmouthshire, causing serious near-fatal accidents. Last week,
00:25Wragland Community Council hosted a meeting with the Welsh Government about the recent safety
00:29service conducted by Sutra on that stretch of road. It was good to hear that the 50mph speed
00:34limit already in place is likely to be a more permanent solution. That is welcome,
00:39but it was hugely disappointing that, even though the potential for fatal accidents was recognised
00:45by those at the meeting, according to the Welsh Government's criteria, these junctions just are
00:50unsafe enough for further solutions. This was despite the danger of these junctions being
00:54recognised by the Welsh Government and Sutra, who suggested either Toucan crossings, roundabouts
00:58and traffic lights were needed. First Minister, it is pure luck that there has not been a fatality
01:03to date. May I take this opportunity to ask you and your Cabinet Secretary, Ken Skates,
01:08to visit this stretch of road, the A40, with me and us, to see the imminent danger
01:13that these junctions pose not only to residents but to the schoolchildren who regularly bust
01:17across them? May I please ask that this Government revisit its decision not to action one of those
01:22solutions that was presented by Sutra? Yes, the cost of a real solution is high, but the cost of
01:29doing nothing is higher and will result in lives lost.
01:32Antoinette Sandbach AM, Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Welsh Government
01:34Thank you very much. I am very pleased that you have had feedback from the meeting that was held
01:38last week with Welsh Government officials and representatives from Monmouthshire County
01:43Council and Raglan Community Council and others. We are very aware, of course, that there have
01:49been several accidents over time, but they are not at a level at this point where they represent
01:56a collision cluster, and I am sure you heard that in the meeting. Now, that is not to say that
02:04things do not need to be done, and I am really pleased that we have seen that temporary speed
02:09limit from 70 miles an hour being reduced to 50, and that now will be permanent. They will also
02:15be consulting on a GoSafe safety camera partnership. So, clearly, we have to prioritise,
02:23and at this point there are other priorities within the Welsh Government's ambit.
02:32Julie Morgan AM, Leader of the Welsh Government
02:34What is the Welsh Government doing to increase the support available for people?