The Welsh Government has been urged to introduce a roundabout in place of a dangerous junction in Pembrokeshire, following a further tragedy this month, on what has been described as a ‘treacherous’ stretch of road.

Conservative Member of the Senedd for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire Sam Kurtz raised the matter of safety at the finger post junction on the A477 trunk road after 29-year-old motorcyclist Ashley Thomas Rogers, of Kilgetty, died at the scene on the A477 on the morning of May 13 near the A4075 Fingerpost Junction, between Milton and Pembroke Dock.

Now his Conservative colleague MP for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, Simon Hart has urged the Welsh Government to act

“I was incredibly saddened to hear of the death of Ashley Rogers at the Nash Fingerpost junction - he was only 29,” remarked Mr Hart.

“This is the third fatality at this spot in 12 years and there have also been numerous accidents.

“I have been calling on the Welsh Government to put in a roundabout there ever since I became an MP – but in 2012 I was told by the then Transport Minister - ‘On the basis of traffic volumes using this junction, its upgrading to a roundabout is not currently justified.’

“Myself, the local Senedd Members Angela Burns and Samuel Kurtz and county councillor Tessa Hodgson have continued to call for it to be made safer ever since.

“Maybe now the Welsh Government will take some action,” added Mr Hart.

Mr Rogers’ red motorcycle collided at around 8 am with a white van towing a trailer, which had been on the A4075 from Pembroke before it joined the A477 towards Carmarthen.

Repeated calls to improve road safety at the Fingerpost accident blackspot have been made for many years, with local town council Pembroke raising its concerns with the Trunk Road Agency on many occasions.

Local county councillor, and former town councillor, Cllr Aaron Carey stated: “The dangerous layout of this area of the road has been highlighted several times over the past few years, notably whilst serving on Pembroke Town Council; I remember several times that representations were made for it to be reviewed which fell on deaf ears.

“Well, several years, several accidents and, very sadly, fatalities and injuries later, still nothing has been done,” he said, ‘imploring’ the Welsh Government on behalf of the people of Pembroke, to get the minister responsible to launch an immediate investigation and resolution to this issue, before any more accidents occur.

Senedd Member Sam Kurtz remarked: “Road safety is non-negotiable. The Welsh Government must finally take action after the repeated accidents on the A477 that have caused needless heartache and loss of life.”

Ashley Rogers
Ashley pictured with his son. (Pic supplied by Dyfed-Powys Police)

Pembroke Town council has previously highlighted dangers at the crossing, and has called for a roundabout.

It was previously told that “no significant issues” had been raised with the National Assembly about Fingerpost safety, and there was no plan for a roundabout.

A local resident has also written to the Observer to reiterate concerns amongst the community on the matter.

“I can’t believe that I’m writing to you again about another fatality at The Fingerpost Junction on the A477 that could and should have been avoided,” stated Ruthie Ashworth of Milton.

“Another grieving family and a young life cut short on a piece of road that is treacherous every second of the day.

“The number of times I’ve witnessed for myself near misses there with drivers pulling across the Junction into oncoming traffic, heedless of the fact that traffic approaching is driving at least at 60mph.

“I have approached the A477 from that Pembroke road numerous times and I’ve said before - because of the camber of the road and the long grass it’s impossible to be sure that the road is clear enough to join. In a car or on a bike - that view is impaired.

“Lorries, vans and other vehicles which have more elevated views can see but still many of them don’t pause at the dotted lines but pull straight out into the traffic,” she continued.

“Something has to be done now. Either traffic lights there or a roundabout and certainly from that junction down into Milton’s 40mph, consideration should be given to a 50mph from Lewis’ garage to that junction.

“Priority must be given to resolving dangers at this junction and others on the A477 which is one of the busiest routes in Pembrokeshire,” she added.

Dyfed-Powys Police is continuing its investigation into the crash and urges anyone with information to make contact with them.

Police may be contacted online at: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908. Quote reference: DP-20230513-109.