Speeding fear after opening of bypass

Residents of a village on the Powys/Shropshire border are being left 'terrified' by cars speeding since the opening of a new bypass, it was today claimed.

Concerned residents of Four Crosses met at the village hall yesterday to air their fears to Constable Colin Astley, of Dyfed-Powys Police, and Andy Cochran, network manager for the Welsh Assembly.

The meeting, which was attended by more than 30 residents, followed complaints about speeding traffic since the bypass opened in July.

The new layout takes traffic from the centre of the village on the bypass and back onto the road as it heads towards Llanymynech.

Wendy Beckerleg, who helped organise the meeting, said: "I live just on the outer edge of the village and it is absolutely terrifying now having cars speeding off the bypass and then up towards the Welshpool direction.

"Sometimes it can take up to 10 minutes for me to get off my drive, and twice in one day I have seen lorries overtaking each other when the speed limit is only 60mph. I am worried that it is unsafe for pedestrians.

"I have spoken with both Glyn Davies, Montgomeryshire MP, and our AM Russell George and although they are unable to be at the meeting, they are both with us and have voiced their support."

Resident Paul Hendry said: "We are concerned about the safety in the village. Since the bypass was built many good things have come of it, but the problems have now moved elsewhere to other parts and that is what is concerning us."

Another resident Sue Hendry added: "We are thinking of setting up a youth group to help keep the children away from the road in the evenings."

The fears came to a head following the death of 14-year-old cyclist Jim Hodgson, of Arddleen, who died after his BMX was involved in a collision with a car on January 4 on the A483 near the village He died in hospital the following day.

Mr Cochran said: "I have made a list and I will take them away and see what can be done to make it safer for you."

Constable Astley added: "We do patrol the area regularly and have a string of recent convictions for speeding, including one suspended sentence."