Fake 30mph speed limit signs put up to slow traffic

Residents want the speed limit on the A5 through Glasfryn to be reduced

People have put up fake speed limit signs to discourage drivers from speeding through a Conwy village.

Villagers are angry at the Welsh government for placing 60mph signs either side of Glasfryn 18 months ago, reminding drivers they are free to travel at the national speed limit.

They say the traffic rushing past is unsafe for children.

The Welsh government said reviews on speed limits had been paused.

Residents fear it is only a matter of time before someone is killed on the stretch of road.

"We woke up this morning, and with it being 1 December, we think that either Santa's little helpers or the Christmas elves have decorated the village and put up some 30-mph speed limit signs," Euan Robertson said.

Councillor Gwennol Ellis said she was worried a speeding vehicle could hit the school bus taking children to Ysgol Cerrgydrudion.

"So the school bus picks up on the A5, and I'm just scared somebody is going to drive into the back of that one day," she said.

Villagers say the national speed limit of 60mph is not safe on the stretch of road

She added residents have campaigned to the Welsh government without success.

"The signs [either side of the village] are in farmers' fields, so they can't do anything about that, can they?" she added.

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"But we have to be careful not to scare the children because, at the end of the day, it is their home. But they do fear for their lives," she said.

She said some people drive through Glasfryn at 70mph.

"Why did the Welsh government need to put those national speed limit signs up? It doesn't make any sense at all," she said.

Residents have taken matters into their own hands

Mr Robertson also pointed out the village playground is on the A5, and said cars overtake in the village.

"I walk my dogs along the A5 every morning, and traffic is coming rushing past, often in the dark and the wet, so I'm having to wear high-vis and head torches.

"The dogs have even got lights on them now, to make drivers aware. We've got lorries travelling through the village too at high speeds. It can be terrifying," he said.

Angharad Roberts, who has three children aged five, seven and 10, has lived in the village for eight years and says it was a "dangerous" road because of the speed limit.

"There are a lot of children living in the village. We have to walk across the road to get to our cars or to get to the park.

"People don't slow down when they see children walking, but when the lorry passes at speed, there is a rush of wind that comes from the lorry when they pass, and it is strong enough to take a child into the road," she said.

A Welsh government spokeswoman said: "We are currently updating guidance on local speed limits. During this time reviews on speed limits have been paused. Once the new guidance is available, we will be reviewing speed limits across the road network."

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