Plans to move the pedestrian crossing on Crickhowell’s A40 from outside Webb’s to a few metres along the road by Jehu’s have prompted a lively response from residents, with opinions sharply divided. Roadworks are scheduled between February and May, including pavement improvements, drainage upgrades, and relocation of nearby bus stops.
Many locals have voiced concern over the proposed changes, citing safety, traffic, and practicality. Long-time residents argue the Webb’s crossing has been in place for over 60 years without major incidents and is a natural point where people habitually cross. “People will still cross there out of habit,” said one resident, warning that removing the crossing could create new hazards. Others, particularly parents and older pedestrians, are worried about the new location, which they feel is less visible to drivers and potentially more dangerous.
Traffic congestion is another major worry. Moving the crossing, along with relocating bus stops near Clarence Hall and widening the pavement outside the Bear, could create bottlenecks on Beaufort Street. Some fear the combination of road narrowing, multiple crossings, and HGVs passing through could lead to gridlock, discouraging visitors and frustrating locals. “The town will be gridlocked and could lead to visitors avoiding it,” said one resident, reflecting widespread frustration.
Cost and priorities have also been questioned. Many argue that resurfacing the deteriorating road should take precedence over expensive alterations to crossings and pavements. “Try filling the potholes or resurfacing the road if you have so much,” commented another. The debate has highlighted broader concerns about planning and decision-making, with residents calling for greater transparency and engagement from Powys Council and the North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agency.
Supporters of the changes point out that modern safety standards and consultations informed the revised plans, including a more accessible westbound bus stop and improved pavement areas. They argue that, despite losing the Webb’s crossing, the town’s layout will ultimately be safer and more pedestrian-friendly.
The discussion reflects the tension between tradition, safety, and infrastructure upgrades in a small but busy town. Whether the new crossing will achieve its intended safety benefits without creating new problems remains to be seen. In the meantime, residents are encouraged to stay informed and share their views with the council as the works approach.
What do you think? Will the new crossing improve safety in Crickhowell, or will it just create more congestion and frustration? Residents and visitors alike are watching closely as the plans move forward.
Leave it where it is i was born and bred here only one accident which was driver error. Think ofvthe financial cost
I think moving the crossing is a very good idea. I have hit someone on the crossing myself and have nearly been hit several times.
Repairing the roads which are a mess in every part of crickhowell should be a priority and police made to book all vehicles parking on yellow lines again all of crickhowell this a traffic offence and has been reported to police and councillors for the last two years
If any one wants to check this out try and drive up llanbeder read
“” worried about the new location, which they feel is less visible to drivers and potentially more dangerous””
Pardon me, but surely a crossing NOT on a bend is safer for pedestrians?
The person in the second comment has admitted the crime discussed in the first comment.
You had me at “accessible westbound bus stop” and “wider pavement outside the Bear.” The current arrangements along Beaufort Street are a deathtrap for anyone who’s at all unsteady on their feet. Maybe the eastbound bus stop could be turned around so it affords actual protection from the elements and has usable seating, too?
Besides, we have gridlock on Beaufort Street anyway. The good burghers of Crickhowell can afford a fine or two, so there’s always someone parked in the bus stop bay, on the corner of Standard Street (double yellow lines and a hard turn, beautiful road safety there). Between these self-centred pillocks, the delivery drivers, and HGVs making the tight turn by Webbs, traffic through Crick’s pretty ponderous as it is.
Resurfacing the A40 through the town should take priority, it’s been in a horrendous state for too long. Excessive spending on new crossings and pavement widening is just more tax wastage, so the pen pushers at the various agencies overseeing this can tick more ‘safety boxes’. It’s like the unnecessary addition of the pedestrian crossing at Crick bridge last year. I’m yet to actually see anyone use it…that’s because most of us have brains and are more than capable of crossing a road safely without all this expensive paraphernalia cluttering up our roads and high streets! I hope they’re not going to wreck the frontage of the lovely Bear Hotel either, with yet more ‘modern improvements’. For goodness sakes leave our historic high streets alone. Our towns, villages and high streets are littered with all this ‘safety ism’ because of the few numpties once in a blue moon that can’t engage their brain with their bodies and cross a road safely. Just resurface the road as is desperately needed and stop wasting the rest of our taxes on everything else!
The state of the A40 road surface through Crickhowell is the major issue here, and tinkering with the crossing and pavements is a waste of both taxpayer money and resident patience. The first impression of the town is created by the atrocious state of the A40 road surface. Traffic movement is maintained at a low speed by volume, lorries, the various twists and turns, and the abundance of pedestrians. Too many penpushers looking for something new to do, instead of simply resurfacing the road.