Sir,

Not having had a reply from Pembrokeshire County Council's Highways department to our letter regarding HGV traffic at a proposed new entrance in Clayford Road, near Kilgetty, one of us phoned them to explain further our concerns about road safety there. We got only as far as referring to the possible need to reverse round a blind bend when we were accused of being "narrow-minded."

We were asked: "What do you do now when you meet a concrete lorry there?"

We explained, between frequent interruptions, that as far as we know, nobody has ever needed to reverse round that bend because, with both vehicles keeping to their left, there is room to pass. The proposed entrance at this point could have meant large vehicles going over to their right before swinging left to get through the 3.5 metre entrance set parallel to the road. As far as we know, this problem has still not been properly discussed.

Our unanswered letter referred specifically to cars accelerating at this point having negotiated the narrow bends and steep sloped of Rapper Hill. Highways claimed to know all about Clayford Road, yet had never heard of Rapper Hill! Had our letter (which was signed for) even been read?

There are 18 dwellings along Clayford Road and a dozen entrances to fields. And there are many hundreds of drivers from East Williamston, Cold Inn, various estates, Broadmoor and beyond who use Clayford Road to get to and from the Tenby direction. Yet Highways thought it "ridiculous" that there had been over 200 letters of objection to the proposed entrance. How can a County Hall department be so out of touch?

Although Planning had refused the application, Highways had not objected to the proposed entrance. Bearing in mind 400-500 individuals who were worried about the safety aspect, we asked if Highways would be willing to come to Clayford Road, meet residents on the spot and discuss the safety aspect further.

Answer: "I've given my decision. I'm not going there again!"

At that rate, Highways will never discover Rapper Hill!

Residents of

Clayford Road

(names and

addresses supplied).