**Fears for Public Safety Rise as Crashes Continue on Llanelli’s “Racetrack” Street**
Residents in Llanelli’s Sandy Road are calling for urgent action after a spate of dangerous crashes has left six cars written off within just five days, fuelling concerns that someone may be seriously injured or even killed if the situation is not addressed. The street, a main thoroughfare to the west of Llanelli town centre leading towards Burry Port, has gained notoriety among locals as a hazardous hotspot where excessive speed and reckless driving are prevalent, especially after dark.
For those living on Sandy Road, the threat is ever-present. Many say the risk extends beyond their parked vehicles to the safety of their very homes. Surveillance footage has on several occasions captured drivers losing control and colliding with cars, property walls, and even road signs. Residents report a constant state of anxiety, never certain when the next impact might occur just metres from where family members sleep.
Recent efforts by Carmarthenshire County Council aimed at alleviating persistent daytime traffic congestion have focused on modifying a nearby junction, introducing a dedicated right-turn lane at the junction of A484 (Sandy Road) and Maes-Y-Coed Road. While this has marginally affected congestion levels, many locals believe these steps have failed to address the root of their fears: a pervasive lack of safety, particularly overnight when the road transforms, in their words, “into a racetrack”.
One affected resident, Aled Roberts, has suffered the brunt of such mishaps, having had two cars written off in under three years. The more recent incident, which occurred in March, saw a driver exiting the nearby roundabout at speed, careening into his parked vehicle with such force that it was left beyond repair. Remarking on the close call, Mr Roberts reflected that had his car not been there, the driver could have ploughed straight through his front garden and possibly into his living room.
It is not only vehicles that have suffered. Over time, crash barriers and even the road’s own signage have borne the scars of repeated collisions—visual reminders for every passer-by of the dangers that persist. Despite the council’s recent installation of a wider roundabout, Mr Roberts and many neighbours contend that rather than calming traffic, the redesign encourages even greater speeds, emboldening drivers to barrel through the area at increased peril to those along the street.
Mr Roberts, among others, has voiced frustration at what he sees as inadequate action from both local authorities and police. While the council has installed a ‘Slippery Surface’ warning sign, residents argue that fundamental safety issues—including the need for robust traffic calming measures or even the long-mooted bypass—remain unaddressed. The lack of a visible law enforcement presence, coupled with no immediate plans to deploy new resources, only intensifies their sense of vulnerability.
The responsibility for Sandy Road’s ongoing problems appears, at times, to be passed between local government and the police, leaving residents feeling like “a ping-pong ball” being batted between two parties. Mr Roberts observed that policing efforts seem largely reactive, noting a decline in regular patrols and little visible deterrent for would-be speeders, a situation he fears could have lethal consequences if left unchanged.
In response to mounting public pressure and repeated incidents, Carmarthenshire County Council and Dyfed-Powys Police have acknowledged the seriousness of the issue. Moves are now underway to convene a multi-agency meeting, including road safety group GoSafe, to identify and implement more effective interventions that, it is hoped, could soon bring Sandy Road’s hazardous reputation under control.
Councillor Edward Thomas, responsible for transport, waste and infrastructure at Carmarthenshire Council, has stated that the local authority is aware of the community’s concerns and is committed to working alongside both the police and safety campaigners. A similar position has been echoed by Dyfed-Powys Police, which has promised a joint review and collaborative approach moving forward.
Still, for residents of Sandy Road, the wait for meaningful change can feel interminable. Until a robust strategy is enacted—one that addresses not just traffic flow but enforces speed restrictions and protects residential areas—the fear remains that the next crash could bring tragedy beyond vehicle damage.
As communities across the UK increasingly confront the dangers posed by residential speeding and inadequate enforcement, the story unfolding in Llanelli is a stark reminder of the real-life consequences when action is delayed. Locals hope that their persistent campaigning will not only bring lasting improvements but also spare others the sleepless nights and anxieties that have become a fixture of life on Sandy Road.