"Virtual safety path" call for Milford Road

The county council is to come under pressure to resolve safety issues along Milford Road in Newtown, including a "virtual safety path."

Residents have raised concerns about traffic speed and the safety of pedestrianas and cycliosts along the road for some time.

Next week, Cllr Margaret Lewington will push a motion to be approved urging action on the sitation, including a "virtual safety path" which would be painted on the road.

In a report to the town council meeting on Monday, Cllr Lewington said: "I am continually asked by many residents who live either along Milford Road or on roads joining it asking me what can be done to make that road safer – especially the 40mph stretch of road from Hendidley way heading out of town past Millfields which has no footpath.

"I know that our place plan contains reference to both working with PCC officers to consider improvements to road crossing facilities, including Milford Road, and is supportive of active travel routes – indeed it is an ambition of the county council to encourage more walking and cycling by implementing more active travel routes.

"I am aware of the work of our fantastic group of local resident volunteers who comprise the Milford Road speedwatch group and the amount of time they put into their efforts to make Milford Road safer for pedestrians and cyclists."

She added: "I am also aware of the work of our local ward county councillor who is working on all issues relating to road safety along Milford Road with the main issues being speeding vehicles, appropriate speed limits, lack of traffic calming measures, lack of safe crossing points, lack of footpaths and cycle paths and inadequate street lighting.

"Our local county councillor is also working with the active travel routes department at Powys County Council to implement a virtual safety path (basically a path painted on the road) on the stretch of Milford Road that has no footpath as well as pursuing some type of refuge points.

"However, this will be subject to the outcome of a road safety audit to be undertaken by Powys County Council after April 2023 due to a lack of funding in the current financial year."

Her motion will go before councillors at the full town council meeting. It states: "“The Town Council notes the work of the Milford Road speedwatch group and ward County Councillor Pete Lewington.

"The Town Council confirms its support for safe travel on Milford Road especially walking and cycling which has health benefits of all of our residents.

"The Town Council requests the Town Clerk to write to the portfolio holder for a greener Powys at Powys County Council expressing its support for a virtual safety path (basically a path painted on the road) to be implemented on Milford Road as part of the Active Travel Network citing the improvements to road, pedestrian and cyclist safety that these active travel routes bring.

"The Town Council requests the Town Clerk to write to the Milford Road speedwatch co-ordinator acknowledging the time and effort the local resident volunteers who comprise this group have put into trying to make Milford Road safer for pedestrians and cyclists.” 

Councillors will vote on the motion.