WELSHPOOL residents say they have bemoaned a "lack of communication" over changes to a road which they say has made it dangerous for users.
Powys County Council recently began construction of a footpath along the old main road running parallel to Church in Wales Primary School in Gungrog, Welshpool.
But residents of the area have now complained that none of those affected by the change were consulted and that the chosen design reduces access to people living beyond Heulwen Wharf.
According to Gungrog residents Robyn and Linda Smith, the roadworks arrived on the scene earlier in August, with no notice to them or any other residents beforehand.
Mr Smith said: “There’s no dispute that there needs to be a footpath along that road, that much is obvious from the amount of people who walk down there and the danger that poses with the traffic.
“But the way the council have gone about it just creates another problem.
“That road is used by big farm traffic, residents, deliveries and emergency vehicles. It’s the only point of access to and from those living on Gungrog Hill.
“With the design they have chosen for the footpath, the road will become much narrower and more difficult to pass, essentially turning it into a single lane road.
“The road comes just after a blind bend as well, so there’s no clear line of sight for a driver to see if the road is clear, meaning traffic will have to regularly reverse back which will be impossible to do safely.
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“I think they’ve greatly underestimated the amount of traffic that uses that road, which is the result of never asking anyone who lives locally what the best course of action might be.”
On August 23, residents of Gungrog held a meeting with principal engineer Daniel Baynham, who stated that the footpath would be equipped with passing points to accommodate the traffic in the area.
Another Gungrog resident, Geraint Crosby, expressed doubts on this solution, added: “The risk with passing points is that they might be used as laybys, so we would need assurance that double yellow lines would be put in place to ensure they remain free for use.
“It’s been a ridiculous effort just to get the meeting in the first place, which adds to the general feeling that there’s been a lack of communication from the council regarding this issue.
“We would like to have notice and a clear idea of what the plans are.”
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