Safety scheme took too long (From Barry And District News)

Safety scheme took too long

A Barry father and election candidate claims that News' publicity prompted the Vale council to take action to protect children on busy routes to school.

John Trew, whose nine-year-old son Joel goes to All Saints Primary, is delighted safety measures are to be introduced on many busy roads, including Severn Avenue, as reported in last week's News.

But the Labour candidate for the Illtyd Ward said the measures were too long in coming and that the National Assembly had to bail out the Vale of Glamorgan Council to make these schemes possible.

He said: "I was behind a Transit van that had a nasty accident on Severn Avenue.

"It ploughed into the concrete bollards used by pedestrians crossing the road. If a child had been standing there, the injuries would have been horrific.

"Residents in neighbouring estates have campaigned for more than five years for measures to be brought in, along with councillors Emlyn Williams and Tony Hampton.

"They have all done an admirable job, but it took getting the media involved before this road grant was secured.

"And it is strange the Vale council has been in power for five years, but less than two months before the election, this grant is announced."

Vale of Glamorgan Council leader Cllr Jeffrey James said: "This project is just another excellent example of how the council, through its highways and road safety officers, is working closely with schools in making a real difference in terms of road safety and creating safer communities.

"The three ward councillors, Tony Hampton, Emlyn Williams and Janice Charles, have been pressing for improvements in this area for the last three years, and the council's cabinet is delighted to have been able to identify this as one of a number of projects that can be implemented in the current financial year."

l Mum says thanks to councillors - see letters page.