**Anger Grows Over Lack of Action on Wales’ Notorious A40 After Another Fatality**
Residents living close to what is regarded as one of Wales’ most hazardous roads have once again urged the Welsh Government to implement urgent safety measures following the death of a 27-year-old motorcyclist last month. The accident, which occurred on the A40 Raglan bypass in Monmouthshire, reignited longstanding concerns about the perilous stretch and prompted renewed calls from locals for decisive action.
The A40, particularly the section between the A449 and the Raglan roundabout, has long been a blackspot for serious accidents. This mile of dual carriageway is notorious for its series of unconventional and confusing junctions, which many believe significantly increase the risk to drivers. According to residents, crashes occur with alarming regularity—sometimes as often as once a month—with some tragically resulting in death or serious injury.
Standing by the roadside, the dangers of the current road layout become immediately clear, local campaigners say. Vehicles travelling from the A449 are directed by signage to cut across the carriageway, using a central reservation, to reach nearby villages such as Mitchel Troy and Dingestow. The same goes for those leaving Groesenon Road: they must turn right across multiple lanes of fast-moving traffic to head toward Raglan or Abergavenny. Within just 100 yards, further hazards arise as drivers attempt similar crossings from the Monmouth Road.
Despite these risky manoeuvres being legal, many locals believe they should be prohibited until proper changes are made to the junctions. While some argue that drivers unfamiliar with the area cannot be expected to fully appreciate the dangers, others feel the onus is on authorities to redesign the junctions to prevent confusion and accidents. If journeys require an extra few minutes by using the roundabout at Raglan, many say this is a small price compared to the current risk.
There had been hope for progress last year, when Welsh officials reportedly committed to trialling a trio of “quick win” safety measures. These included installing a permanent 50mph speed limit, banning right turns from Monmouth Road onto the A40, and prohibiting right turns toward Groesenon Road via the central reservation. However, locals claim no updates have been communicated since, and as more accidents occur, frustration is mounting.
In June, Labour MP Catherine Fookes wrote to the Welsh transport secretary, Ken Skates, highlighting the community’s distress. “The community would very much like a visit from you so you can see the dangerous junction first hand,” she stated, echoing the calls of residents and campaigners. Similarly, Raglan Community Council expressed exasperation at the perceived lack of urgency from officials, stating that people living near the A40 “are becoming frustrated that officers and politicians with the authority to make changes and improvements, are not showing any urgency.”
Local safety advocate Julian Dyer has long warned that the central reservations on this section are inadequate, leaving cars straddling live traffic lanes while waiting to turn. “There have been a flurry of incidents recently at the junctions and there was one very soon after the very sad recent fatality. One involved a police car,” Dyer reported. He believes the so-called “quick wins” would be sensible, insisting that routes be altered so right-turning traffic must navigate the safer option of the Raglan roundabout.
Yet a temporary 50mph speed restriction, introduced in the wake of these concerns, has reportedly had little effect. Residents say that enforcement is currently lacking, with many motorists seemingly disregarding the lower limit due to the absence of speed cameras and the apparent temporary nature of the signs.
The sense of frustration is shared by many. Local resident Sarah Phillips disclosed, “The Welsh Government just keep reviewing it. It seems there’s not enough fatal accidents for them to consider the junctions a priority and yet everyone here knows it’s so dangerous. We live right by the carriageway and can hear the speed of the traffic… it just needs a big overhaul. It needs a roundabout.”
Karl Jones, another local who has himself been involved in a collision at the junctions, described current efforts as insufficient. “That’s literally all that has been done. It’s not good enough,” he said of attempts to reduce speed, echoing a widely-held sentiment that any real improvements have been dangerously slow to materialise.
Conservative MS Laura Anne Jones also continues to campaign alongside politicians from other parties for a safer A40, describing the current layout as a “death trap.” She warned, “We have to act now to ensure the A40 junctions at Raglan are safe for motorists.”
In response, Welsh transport secretary Ken Skates stated he has directed officials to consider short-term measures while designs for more permanent changes are explored. Nonetheless, with yet another fatality adding to the tragic history of this stretch, the local community remains anxious for evidence of real progress, not just talk, when it comes to road safety.