Community’s victory over long fight to avoid ‘catastrophe’

A community is set for victory following a long fight to make a treacherous stretch of road safer, after Powys County Council backed their concerns.

In 2022, MyWelshpoolTV met with local residents at Groes-lwyd, near Guilsfield, to hear that they were becoming increasingly frustrated at the lack of action over speeding cars whizzing past the stretch of A490 that sees three exits and entries in the space of 50 metres on both sides of the road.

It has been an accident black spot for years, but with one of the turnings for Harding’s Garden Centre becoming ever more popular, residents increased their calls for urgent action.

Our video report was watched over 25,000 times on Facebook, with local county councillor, Ian Harrison (pictured below), saying it was a “catastrophe waiting to happen”.

But this Monday, Cllr Jackie Charlton, the Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys, is expected to confirm that a public consultation process will begin for new 40mph speed limits to be introduced to the A490 stretch, as well as the minor roads B4392, U2166 and U4860 leading into the main road.

The recommendation says this is to: “Mitigate local speed concerns and secure the planning gain element of the new housing development on land to the west of Rhoslan, Guilsfield in the interests of highway safety.”

The costs are being met by both the developer, and Powys County Council, and if there is no major objection, residents can expect the new limits in place “as soon as possible”.

The news has been warmly received by Cllr Harrison, who also praised the local campaign that raised a petition through Sue Hales, a resident that we interviewed for the report.

“This is tremendous news for local residents, many of whom have been fearful of road safety through the Groes for many years,” he said.

“It represents one speed limit reduction which I think the whole community will actively support.”

You can watch our previous report here.