The latest road improvement planned for Pembrokeshire has been dubbed as ‘dangerous’ before it is even built.

The by-pass route to take heavy traffic away from the A40-side village of Llanddewi Velfrey has just been announced - four years after its public consultation.

But the route is only going to be single-lane, and within several years of its construction, projected traffic volumes may force the need for a dual carriageway.

Pembrokeshire County Council has already told the Welsh Assembly that the by-pass would ‘not address Pembrokeshire’s traffic and transportation needs’. And the authority is being backed by Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire Assembly Member Angela Burns.

Mrs Burns has been one of the leading campaigners for A40 road improvements through Llanddewi Velfrey, and says she is glad that a preferred route has finally be announced.

“For the local residents, this will be a very long-awaited improvement,” she said.

But she feels that the Assembly is missing a ‘golden opportunity’ not to construct a dual carriageway.

She said this week: “I am disappointed to hear that it’s going to be a dangerous single-lane road with crawler lanes for overtaking.

“This is part of the trans-European network which starts in eastern Europe and is dual carriageway all the way to St Clears - just 47 miles of the entire route is not dualled.”

The 4km Blue Route, which passes to the north of Llanddewi Velfrey, was announced as the preferred route for the by-pass by deputy first minister Ieuan Wyn Jones on Friday. It will tie in with the Purple Route on the next stage of the road, from Ffynnon Wood to Penblewin.

Said Mr Jones, who is also Assembly transport minister: “This route will provide relief from the effects of trunk road traffic to the village of Llanddewi Velfrey, provide safer overtaking opportunities and build further on the current works at Robeston Wathen.”

Speed-activated 40mph warning signs have recently been installed on the A40 in the village, where local people say lives are being put at risk on a daily basis because of the speed of passing traffic and the narrow pavements.

Local county councillor David Simpson described the announcement of the by-pass route as ‘just another step on a very long journey’.

“A by-pass is long overdue, but I expect we will be fobbed off for a few more years,” he said. “What Llanddewi Velfrey needs immediately are measures to alleviate the current dangerous conditions. It is disgusting if the village is made to wait another four or five years.”

And community council chairman Keith Thomas said: “We keep inching forward, but what we need immediately are more road safety improvements in the village and for the by-pass to be pushed forward as a priority.

“There’s been talk of a by-pas for Llanddewi Velfrey since I was in school, and I’ll be 60 on Saturday!”.