Sir,

I think that on behalf of all of the citizens in Wales it is only fair to congratulate the Welsh Government for their handling of the pandemic. It is excellent to know that their first thought is for the safety of the Welsh people. However, when people are allowed to come visiting Wales, who knows if they are carrying the Coronavirus, that is something that time will tell. But once again well done the Welsh Government for their cautious handling of this deadly virus.

Now speaking on behalf of the people that live in Begelly whichhas a 30 mph restricted speed limit and is fortunate to have Folly Farm just outside the speed limit sign. The speed limit going past Folly Farm is 40 mph.

Begelly has a pavement only on one side of the road for the majority of its length, even though there are houses and bungalows on both sides of the road. There are also a couple of blind bends, which make it awkward for people to pull out of their drives, simply because traffic of all descriptions is ignoring the 30 mph limit and speeding both up and down the road. This includes - cars, motor bikes, wagons, vans, tractors and tankers... with not only single tanks, but a second one being towed. When the brakes go on eventually, especially the tractors, the noise is exceptionally frightening and you fear for anybody walking, trying to cross the road around one of the bends, or trying to take their car out of their driveway. A lot of the drivers of these vehicles are not only going too fast, but some are stupid enough to also be on their mobile phone.

Enough is enough, why are the people of Begelly having to suffer this idiotic driving? This road is not a motorway. Folly Farm is the biggest tourist attraction in Pembrokeshire. Most of the people visiting Folly Farm park within the farm’s parking facilities; however, there are those that walk from the caravan sites. Parents walking with their children, parents pushing prams, just imagine how they feel when something large comes speeding past them. This speeding traffic is not only dangerous for the Begelly people, it is also dangerous for visitors.

Speed cameras are regular in Templeton where they also have flashing 30 mph signs, this is the next village after Begelly and past Folly Farm. There are also speed cameras in Pentlepoir not far from Kilgetty on the way to Tenby. If these places can have regular speed cameras, why can’t Begelly?

Unfortunately, road accidents happen quite frequently. What if somebody who lives in Begelly is one of those unfortunates, what if it happens to be a visitor making their way to Folly Farm, but never makes it. We all know what the Pembrokeshire County Council will say (our commiserations go out to the families of those who have been injured or worse, we offer our deepest sympathies). We all know that this is just a standard statement that means nothing.

If the council cared and did what the Welsh Government have done during the pandemic, then they would bend over backwards to put the safety of the people living and visiting Pembrokeshire first, before allowing idiotic speedy driving through a 30 mph village.

Concerned

Begelly resident