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'Catastrophe' warning for A55 'Catastrophe' warning for A55
(about 2 hours later)
One of Wales' busiest roads is a "a catastrophe waiting to happen", a senior police officer has said.One of Wales' busiest roads is a "a catastrophe waiting to happen", a senior police officer has said.
Ch Supt Geraint Anwyl, chairman of the National Roads Policing Intelligence Forum, says the A55, which runs across north Wales, is not up to standard.Ch Supt Geraint Anwyl, chairman of the National Roads Policing Intelligence Forum, says the A55, which runs across north Wales, is not up to standard.
He is calling on the North Wales Police Authority to press for urgent action from the Welsh Assembly Government.He is calling on the North Wales Police Authority to press for urgent action from the Welsh Assembly Government.
The assembly government said it met the police regularly to discuss the A55, which links Ireland with Europe.The assembly government said it met the police regularly to discuss the A55, which links Ireland with Europe.
Mr Anwyl has compiled a list of hazards which he believes make the road dangerous, including no hard shoulder along the entire 130km route, lay-bys that are too short for lorries to stop in and a cycle track crossing the road near Penmaenmawr.Mr Anwyl has compiled a list of hazards which he believes make the road dangerous, including no hard shoulder along the entire 130km route, lay-bys that are too short for lorries to stop in and a cycle track crossing the road near Penmaenmawr.
A55 HAZARDS Five bus stops with no protection on the Expressway near Llanfairfechan88 lay-bys, some of which are too short for lorries to use safelyNo hard-shoulder along the entire routeA cycle track crossing the road near PenmaenmawrOfficially marked pedestrian crossing pointsTraffic roundaboutsSource: Ch Supt Geraint Anwyl, chairman of the National Roads Policing Intelligence Motorists have complained about long delays on the A55
He wants to see a range of measures introduced, including the provision of a secure overnight truck stop to ensure long-distance drivers have adequate rest.He wants to see a range of measures introduced, including the provision of a secure overnight truck stop to ensure long-distance drivers have adequate rest.
He is also calling for the introduction of north Wales' first "average speed over distance" control.He is also calling for the introduction of north Wales' first "average speed over distance" control.
This would pick up motorists speeding up and down Rhuallt Hill in Denbighshire, which he calls an accident blackspot.This would pick up motorists speeding up and down Rhuallt Hill in Denbighshire, which he calls an accident blackspot.
More than 100 incidents have occurred there since the beginning of April.More than 100 incidents have occurred there since the beginning of April.
A55 HAZARDS Five bus stops with no protection on the Expressway near Llanfairfechan88 lay-bys, some of which are too short for lorries to use safelyNo hard-shoulder along the entire routeA cycle track crossing the road near PenmaenmawrOfficially marked pedestrian crossing pointsTraffic roundaboutsSource: Ch Supt Geraint Anwyl, chairman of the National Roads Policing Intelligence
"Something must be done about the situation because the A55 at present is a catastrophe waiting to happen," he said."Something must be done about the situation because the A55 at present is a catastrophe waiting to happen," he said.
"We cannot stand back and do nothing because the situation is getting worse as the volume of heavy traffic increases, and that is why we hope that local authorities and the Welsh Assembly Government will listen to us.""We cannot stand back and do nothing because the situation is getting worse as the volume of heavy traffic increases, and that is why we hope that local authorities and the Welsh Assembly Government will listen to us."
The call comes amid growing concern about the volume of heavy traffic along the dual-carriageway, which forms part of the Euroroute 22 linking Ishim in Russia with Dublin.The call comes amid growing concern about the volume of heavy traffic along the dual-carriageway, which forms part of the Euroroute 22 linking Ishim in Russia with Dublin.
The route also passes through Moscow, Hamburg and Leeds before coming into Wales.The route also passes through Moscow, Hamburg and Leeds before coming into Wales.
Lost wheelLost wheel
Police vehicle examiners and the Vehicle Operating Services Agency (VOSA) have also revealed the high percentage of vehicle defects found during regular checks.Police vehicle examiners and the Vehicle Operating Services Agency (VOSA) have also revealed the high percentage of vehicle defects found during regular checks.
Between April 2006, and August 2007 VOSA stopped 1,669 vehicles, of which 62.9% had offences.Between April 2006, and August 2007 VOSA stopped 1,669 vehicles, of which 62.9% had offences.
Of these, one lorry had lost a wheel but the driver had recovered it and tied it underneath the vehicle.Of these, one lorry had lost a wheel but the driver had recovered it and tied it underneath the vehicle.
An assembly government spokesman said it was unable to respond in detail to Mr Anwyl's claims "because this police officer has not raised these concerns with us.An assembly government spokesman said it was unable to respond in detail to Mr Anwyl's claims "because this police officer has not raised these concerns with us.
"We meet regularly with the police in north Wales to discuss safety on the A55," he added."We meet regularly with the police in north Wales to discuss safety on the A55," he added.