A motorcyclist has died in a fatal collision with a van on the A470 near Betws-Y-Coed, as a result, a temporary speed limit reduction to 40mph, previously 60mph has been introduced to the road.
In May of 2018, Janet Finch-Saunders had asked the then Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport to make a statement on the appropriateness of the 60mph speed limit and whether it could be reduced.
The Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport replied that there were no further plans to reduce the speed limit however a 3 year Speed Limit Review was mentioned, stating that the comment would be considered when reviewing the A470.
In March of 2019, Janet asked the Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport whether the comments were considered and was given the same response. Furthermore, a written question to the Deputy Minister for Climate Change was asked in July 2023 following the fatal collision and Janet was informed that the temporary speed limit will not be made permanent.
Commenting on the latest response from the Deputy Minister, Janet said:
“It is deeply saddening to hear about the passing of the motorcyclist on the A470. My thoughts go out to his family at this time.
“The speed limit next to Betws-Y-Coed's Zip World Fforest is an issue that I have made clear to the Senedd since 2018. Zip World Fforest is a tourism business that attracts thousands of people each year, and so it makes perfect sense that a safer speed limit is set.
“I have persistently asked the Senedd about whether my concerns have been considered but have been given the same answer each time. How many more fatalities do there need to be before the Welsh Government listens and set a permanent 40mph speed limit?
“I urge the Deputy Minister to cooperate with myself with the aim of ensuring that the road becomes safer by implementing a common-sense permanent speed limit reduction.”
ENDS
Mae beiciwr modur wedi marw mewn gwrthdrawiad angheuol gyda fan ar yr A470 ger Betws-y-Coed; o ganlyniad, mae'r terfyn cyflymder ar y ffordd wedi cael ei ostwng dros dro o 60mya i 40mya.
Ym mis Mai 2018, gofynnodd Janet Finch-Saunders i Ysgrifennydd yr Economi a Thrafnidiaeth ar y Cabinet ar y pryd wneud datganiad ar briodoldeb y terfyn cyflymder o 60mya ac a ellid ei ostwng.
Atebodd Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet nad oedd cynlluniau pellach i ostwng y terfyn cyflymder, ond soniwyd am Adolygiad Terfyn Cyflymder 3 blynedd, gan nodi y byddai'r sylw'n cael ei ystyried wrth adolygu'r A470.
Ym mis Mawrth 2019, gofynnodd Janet i Ddirprwy Weinidog yr Economi a Thrafnidiaeth a gafodd y sylwadau eu hystyried, a chafwyd yr un ymateb. Ar ben hynny, gofynnwyd cwestiwn ysgrifenedig i'r Dirprwy Weinidog Newid Hinsawdd ym mis Gorffennaf 2023 yn dilyn y gwrthdrawiad angheuol, a chafodd Janet wybod na fydd y terfyn cyflymder dros dro yn cael ei wneud yn barhaol.
Wrth sôn am ymateb diweddaraf y Dirprwy Weinidog, dywedodd Janet:
“Mae’n sobor o drist clywed am farwolaeth y beiciwr modur ar yr A470. Hoffwn estyn pob cydymdeimlad i'w deulu ar yr adeg anodd hon.
“Mae'r terfyn cyflymder wrth ymyl Zip World Fforest Betws-y-Coed yn fater rydw i wedi'i leisio’n groyw i'r Senedd ers 2018. Mae Zip World Fforest yn fusnes twristiaeth sy'n denu miloedd o bobl bob blwyddyn, felly mae'n gwneud synnwyr bod terfyn cyflymder mwy diogel yn cael ei osod.
“Rydw i wedi gofyn i'r Senedd dro ar ôl tro a yw fy mhryderon wedi cael eu hystyried, ond rydw i wedi cael yr un ateb bob tro. Faint mwy o bobl sydd angen marw cyn i Lywodraeth Cymru wrando a gosod terfyn cyflymder parhaol o 40mya?
“Rwy'n annog y Dirprwy Weinidog i gydweithredu â mi gyda'r nod o sicrhau bod y ffordd yn fwy diogel drwy ostwng y terfyn cyflymder yn barhaol.”
DIWEDD
