MOTORISTS ASKED TO SLOW DOWN ATCULVERHOUSE CROSS ROADWORKS

A serious accident will occur on the A48 at Culverhouse Cross unless motorists observe the temporary speed restrictions in place along the stretch of roadworks, the Safety Camera Partnership warned today.

Construction workers have raised concerns for their safety as a result of the speeds being driven through the roadworks. Since enforcement began on 20 March, more than 1,400 motorists have been recorded exceeding the restricted speed limit of 30mph on the A48 at Tumble Hill, with a top speed of 68mph.

John Rowling, project manager of the Safety Camera Partnership, which is responsible for static and mobile speed camera enforcement in the Dyfed Powys, South Wales and Gwent police force areas, warned that travelling at these speeds not only results in a fine and points on the licence but, more importantly, endangers the innocent lives of other people.

“We have serious concerns over the speeds driven through the roadworks, particularly with construction vehicles entering and exiting the site onto the main road.

“It is an accident waiting to happen and we are appealing to all motorists to think of the workers on the site and slow down. The speed limit is in place for the safety of motorists and to protect the construction workers – not to catch people out. There is adequate signing informing people of the impending restrictions so there’s no excuse for these high speeds,” he said.

The roadworks started on 10 February to address the extension to the Marks & Spencer store at Culverhouse Cross and are due to be completed towards the end of 2003.

Notes to editors

The Safety Camera initiative is a Government-backed road safety scheme which allows some of the revenue from speeding fines to be reinvested back into targeted enforcement and education at known casualty ‘hotspots’. The Mid and South Wales Safety Camera Partnership was set up in April 2000 in South Wales and extended to cover the Gwent and Dyfed Powys police force areas in April last year. As a result of its contribution to road casualty reduction, the scheme is being rolled out nationally, with 36 Partnerships currently operating in the UK.