Action at last on three lane deathtrap (From Western Telegraph)

Action at last on three lane deathtrap

DOWNHILL overtaking is to be banned at a notorious three-lane Pembrokeshire highway which has claimed the lives of four motorists in five years.

A teenage heating engineer was the latest victim of Dredgeman Hill, near Haverfordwest, during a two-car crash in December.

This week, following a campaign backed by the Western Telegraph, the Trunk Road Agency has announced a package of major improvements to the roads layout.

The changes include:

l Double white lines to prevent overtaking downhill; l Hatching of the middle lane between Merlins Bridge and Tollgate Cottage to prevent uphill overtaking until there is adequate forward visibility;

l Hatching of the middle lane from Lower Dredgeman Hill Farm in a southerly direction to discourage overtaking over the brow of the hill. Highway lighting is currently being installed along the brow of the hill. The improvements, scheduled to be in place by the end of April, have been welcomed by Pembrokeshire County Council.

The authority had pressed for alterations following the death of 18-year-old James Holder, of Freystrop, three months ago. We feel sure that these changes will make this stretch of road safer, says a county council spokesman.

The Haverfordwest to Milford Haven road has seen four fatalities in five years and at least 16 accidents resulting in injury.

The alterations will be installed after the partial resurfacing of Dredgeman Hill. Resurfacing work will begin on Monday.

The changes were recommended by the Trunk Road Agency and supported by the Welsh Assembly, Dyfed-Powys Police and Pembrokeshire County Council.

Pembrokeshire County Council leader, Councillor Maurice Hughes, recently called for downhill overtaking to be banned at this location and the provision of improved signage, following safety measures already introduced at another three-lane blackspot, Arnolds Hill.