Councillor David Williams

Cyng/Cllr David Gwyn Williams

Several Community Councillors and myself recently met with DCC head of Highways and Public Protection Emlyn Jones and his colleagues on Dyserth High street.

We discussed how best to further improve traffic flow, and to look at possibly improving parking issues near the entrance to James’ Park and Bryn y Felin.

In a nutshell, and as I had always argued, funding will not be an issue: and in fairness to Mike Jones of DCC, he gave a full and unequivocal apology to us all for suggesting in our autumn meeting that no substantial funds were available.

After various ideas were proposed it was agreed that within the next four months DCC Highways staff will draw up at least two viable proposals for what they consider could be done. These plans will then be given to the community council for further discussion.

Emlyn Jones, Mike Jones and I then had a chat about better HGV signage at the Mia Hall junction of the A5151, and the possibility of a roundabout/traffic lights at Thorncliffe crossroads on the A547.

Emlyn promised to look again at the possibility of erecting a larger sign to deter HGVs from using Pant Erwyn road. But he was less hopeful of introducing traffic calming measures on the A547. One reason being that DCC already have two such issues to resolve in other parts of the county which will have to take priority.

Also, the relatively inexpensive mini roundabouts of the type that I had asked to be installed here can only be used in 30mph (soon to be 20mph) zones; and the stretch of road in question has a 40mph limit.

The substantial cost of a full roundabout, even if suitable, would need Welsh Assembly funding, and they are not now in favour of any major road improvement schemes; as proven by their refusal to upgrade the M4 near Newport in South Wales, and not to go ahead with the removal of the roundabouts near Penmaenmawr on the A55. The only other option would be traffic lights, and again the cost would be considerable and could possibly interfere with those at Voel Coaches crossroads.

However, it is this last measure that I think we might continue pressing for, especially if the Dyserth bends issues result in yet more traffic using this crossroads. But realistically I can’t see anything happening here in the near future.

Yr eiddoch, yours, David.