At this month’s full council meeting, Cllr. Ian Spiller (Ind, Bryntirion, Laleston & Merthyr Mawr), tabled a motion calling for further road safety improvements along the A48.
July 2025 marks the 9th anniversary of the death of Rhys Rubery, who was killed crossing the road when returning from the Merthyr Mawr “dipping bridge”.
Children from Broadlands attending Brynteg Comprehensive still need to cross the A48 (currently a 50 mph road) twice, as a footpath is only available on one side of the road at different points.
Cllr. Spiller noted the Local Development Plan includes unspecified improvements at the Broadlands and Ewenny Road roundabouts. Also, proposed housing-led developments at Island Farm and Craig-y-Parcau will mean the A48 “materially changes” and will need a lower speed limit.
His motion called for BCBC’s Cabinet to ensure that walking and cycling routes between Broadlands and Brynteg are included as part of any future developments. There also needs to be safe crossing points at Pandy Farm, Newbridge Fields, Broadlands and Merthyr Mawr Road.
Cllr. Spiller also called for a barrier to be installed to properly enforce a no right turn sign from the A48 into Merthyr Mawr Road.
Newbridge Fields underpass “isn’t a suitable alternative”
There’s an underpass between the Newbridge Field extension and the public footpath to Merthyr Mawr – one of the only other “safe” ways to cross – but it’s low and it often means doubling back on yourself to use it.
Cllr. Steven Bletsoe (Ind, Bridgend Central) shared a recent message from a friend. The message said that when out on bikes with his son, they joined a group trying to cross the road, but there was bad visibility due to overgrown vegetation. The underpass leads straight into mud and a wooded area and isn’t suitable.
Cllr. Ian Williams (Ind, Oldcastle) reminded councillors that this isn’t the first fatality along that stretch of road. As someone who regularly crosses the A48, at times it was like “taking your life into your own hands”. While he uses the underpass, children won’t always be that patient.
Council Leader, Cllr. John Spanswick (Lab, Brackla West Central), said he fully supported the motion and would take it away to work with officers on a means to make sure these improvements can happen “as soon as possible in a realistic timescale”.
Cllr. Jonathan Pratt (Con, Newton) asked for a bit more clarity on how long it would take. This needed to be more of a priority.
While no dates or timescales were provided, Cllr. Spanswick said that the council will bid for Welsh Government funding towards a full design and feasibility study (as part of the annual active travel grant). This is needed to work out how much it would cost in terms of capital funding.
The motion was agreed unanimously.
