Concerns over works carried out by Pembrokeshire County Council to the layout of the roadway under the railway bridge at Saunderfoot have been raised with local county councillors, with some calling it ‘an accident waiting to happen’.

The seaside village’s county councillors have now called for an urgent meeting with the Local Authority’s highways engineers on the matter.

The Active Travel link between the rail station and seaside village centre are now fully completed with the wayfinding signage installed. Final surfacing is also being completed to the rail station access road and traffic order for the taxi bay.

However, reports of ‘near misses’ due to the new lay out under the railway bridge, have been posted frequently by road users on social media since the work was completed, with one motorist sharing this month: “The road is quite narrow, and cars and vans do not slow down. There is not enough room, for two vehicles to pass, plus the road visibility and the slow down markings on the road do not give cars enough time to slow up. It is an accident waiting to happen!”

Another concurring with those views, said: “That new junction layout is worse than it was before. There are some dreadful new road designs/changes being made in the county.”

One local pointed out: “It’s now more dangerous than it was. At least before there was just about room for two vehicles to pass but not now. Cars seem to come hurtling down from Pentlepoir!”

County councillor for the seaside village’s south ward, Cllr Chris Williams said that construction by PCC was implemented to improve the footway, drainage and driver awareness of the road narrowing.

He shared an update from PCC’s Highways Engineering Team on the matter who stated: “These were originally considered to include a priority system but was not included due to engineer reconsideration of the location, carriageway design speeds and forward sightlines. These improvements will, along with other highway alterations, be fully monitored.

He said that himself, and Cllr Alec Cormack (county councillor for Saundersfoot’s north ward) would like to reassure residents that they will continue to press for the ongoing monitoring of the road beneath the railway bridge.

“While we fully support the proposed improvements, we both recognise that if this section of road were being constructed today, it would be designed very differently, with improved sight lines and sufficient space for vehicles to pass safely,” remarked Cllr Williams.

“It is disappointing that on March 21 this year, following a site meeting attended by Councillor Cormack and myself, we received confirmation from the Assistant Highways Officer that a priority right of way would be implemented at this location.

“It is important to note that this would require an associated change in the speed limit, which in turn will need further discussion, ongoing monitoring, and public consultation should any issues arise.

“Councillor Cormack and I had not been informed of this and will be asking for a meeting on this section as soon as possible,” he added.