Janet Finch-Saunders, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy, has unearthed that there have already been 25 collisions on the Eastbound A55 carriageway at the headland of Penmaen-bach point during this financial year (23/24)
This disclosure follows her work earlier this month which saw her highlight to Lee Waters MS, Deputy Minister for Climate Change, that there had been 9 recorded incidents where the crash barrier/aluminium railings separating National Cycle Route 5 from the Eastbound carriageway of the A55 were damaged in 2023.
The number of collisions on the Eastbound headland are up from 0 in 2020/21, 3 in 2021/22, and 8 in 2022/23. In comparison, whilst the Eastbound route has seen 25 collisions this financial year, the Westbound route at Penmaen-bach point has only had one collision.
Mrs Finch-Saunders has now written again to the Deputy Minister for Climate Change asking for a response to her previous request for a review of the safety of NCR 5 at Penmaen-bach Point to be undertaken, action to help reduce the risk of collisions on the A55, and a commitment to make use of the contraflow system when the Eastbound carriageway is closed.
Commenting on the safety of the A55 at Penmaen-bach Point, Janet said:
“I have unearthed that there we have seen a staggering increase in collisions at the Eastbound carriageway of the A55 at Penmaen-bach point.
“There is no doubt in my mind that the A55 at Penmaen-bach can be dangerous for road users, pedestrians, and cyclists, so the Welsh Government should look at options to reduce the risk of further incidents.
“Urgent action is also needed to see the contraflow system on the A55 used when there are collisions on the Eastbound A55 at this point. As Penmaenmawr Town Council have worked hard to highlight, opting not to use the contraflow system, in favour of diversions along the A470 and A5, results in serious congestion over the Sychnant Pass.
“If it is the case that the contraflow system takes three hours to implement, and cannot be implemented outside normal working hours, such as on weekends, it has to be questioned if it is fit for purpose”.
ENDS
Mae Janet Finch-Saunders, AS Aberconwy, wedi datgelu bod 25 o wrthdrawiadau eisoes wedi digwydd ar y gerbytffordd tua'r dwyrain ar yr A55 ym Mhenmaen-bach yn ystod y flwyddyn ariannol hon (23/24).
Hyn yn dilyn ei gwaith yn gynharach y mis hwn, pan dynnodd sylw Lee Waters AS, Dirprwy Weinidog Newid Hinsawdd, at 9 digwyddiad lle cafodd y rhwystrau / rheiliau alwminiwm sy'n gwahanu Llwybr Beicio Cenedlaethol 5 o’r gerbytffordd tua'r dwyrain o'r A55 eu difrodi yn 2023.
Mae nifer y gwrthdrawiadau ar y pentir tua'r Dwyrain i fyny o 0 yn 2020/21, 3 yn 2021/22, ac 8 yn 2022/23. Mewn cymhariaeth, er bod y llwybr tua'r Dwyrain wedi gweld 25 gwrthdrawiad yn ystod y flwyddyn ariannol hon, dim ond un gwrthdrawiad sydd wedi bod ar y llwybr tua'r Gorllewin ym Mhenmaen-bach.
Mae Mrs Finch-Saunders wedi ysgrifennu eto at y Dirprwy Weinidog Newid Hinsawdd yn gofyn am ymateb i'w chais blaenorol am adolygiad o ddiogelwch Llwybr Beicio Cenedlaethol 5 Penmaen-bach, camau gweithredu i helpu i leihau'r risg o wrthdrawiadau ar yr A55, ac ymrwymiad i ddefnyddio'r system wrthlif pan fydd y ffordd tua'r Dwyrain ar gau.
Wrth drafod diogelwch yr A55 ym Mhwynt Penmaen-bach, dywedodd Janet:
“Dwi wedi canfod cynnydd syfrdanol mewn gwrthdrawiadau ar y gerbytffordd tua'r dwyrain o'r A55 ym Mhenmaen-bach.
“Does dim amheuaeth gen i y gallai'r A55 ym Mhenmaen-bach fod yn beryg bywyd i ddefnyddwyr ffyrdd, cerddwyr a beicwyr, felly dylai Llywodraeth Cymru edrych ar opsiynau i leihau'r risg o ddigwyddiadau pellach.
“Ar ben hynny, mae angen gweithredu ar frys i ddefnyddio'r system wrthlif ar yr A55 pan fydd gwrthdrawiadau ar yr A55 tua'r Dwyrain ar hyn o bryd. Gan fod Cyngor Tref Penmaenmawr wedi gweithio'n galed i dynnu sylw ato, mae penderfynu creu gwyriadau ar hyd yr A470 a'r A5 yn lle defnyddio'r system wrthlif, yn arwain at dagfeydd difrifol dros Fwlch Sychnant.
“Os yw'n wir fod y system wrthlif yn cymryd tair awr i'w gweithredu, ac na ellir ei gweithredu y tu allan i oriau gwaith arferol, fel ar benwythnosau, mae'n rhaid cwestiynu a yw'n addas i'r diben”.
DIWEDD
