Residents calls for enforcement after third accident in four weeks at the perilous Waungron Road and Western Avenue junction
ANOTHER crash at Western Avenue and Waungron Road has reignited debate about whether a lower speed limit actually works.
Locals welcomed the reduction from 40mph to 30mph which came into effect on April 30, 2021.
However, it is South Wales Police policy that speed limit changes are not formally imposed with fixed cameras for six months to allow drivers to adjust to new rules.
Resident Gavin Knox, 44, of Western Avenue, called the policy “illogical” and said: “The change to 30mph is welcome but ultimately pointless if it is not enforced.”
Councillor Sean Driscoll said: “While I’m pleased our long campaign to have the new crossing at Caewal Road and speed reduction to 30mph on Western Avenue has been implemented, the number of accidents that are still happening shows that speeding vehicles are still a major issue on this busy main road.”
Two cars crashed into each other in a head-on collision on Sunday, October 24. Police were called to the scene and the casualties were sent to hospital.
Mr Knox added: “It is a perilous and frankly terrifying junction.”
Now, it has been six months since the speed limit was reduced and Llandaff residents are calling for more to be done.
This September, Coun Driscoll asked Councillor Caro Wild, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, for the following to be installed at the junction:
- VAS (Vehicle Activated Signs)
- Additional 30mph discs on lampposts
- A mobile electronic information board.
Coun Wild responded: “I am acutely aware of the recent collisions on this section of Western Avenue.”
He added: “We are not legally permitted to install 30mph repeater signs where there is a system of street lighting in place.”
Most of the accidents that happen at the junction are slight to severe, but there was a fatal incident six years ago. A five-year-old boy died.
Mr Knox has lived on Western Avenue for nine years and is worried something similar will happen again.
He said: “I dread the day somebody dies, but I will happily attend the inquest and give evidence on behalf of any family. This issue has been raised many times and there is no apparent urgency.”
As the nights draw in and the weather gets colder, residents are concerned that incidents will become yet more frequent.
Coun Driscoll said: “Cars are speeding and with the accidents that are happening I’m concerned someone is going to be seriously injured or worse.
“I’m meeting with the police this week to see what more can be done. I’ve also requested an updated report on volumes of traffic and speed, to see if things have improved.”
