Plans to improve the safety of Nash fingerpost junction near Pembroke have been given a cautious welcome by local MP Simon Hart.

Mr. Hart has been pressing for the accident blackspot on the A477 to be redesigned for almost two years after concerned local residents got in touch. There have been two deaths at the junction in the past two years.

"This junction is not safe," said Mr. Hart. "Large lorries travelling from Pembroke to Carew can't make the turning in one go and wait in the middle refuge with their rear ends sticking out into the oncoming traffic.

"They then meet traffic that's coming from Pembroke Dock and trying to turn right which also has to shelter in the reserve. The junction may have been designed in accordance with the rule book but in reality it simply doesn't work."

An assessment of the junction carried out by the South Wales Trunk Road Agency revealed that there was 'conflict' between vehicles using the junction and concluded that the main problem was that the central reservation was not wide enough to shelter turning lorries.

It also recommended that the junction was replaced with a roundabout.

However, Carl Sargeant, Welsh Assembly Minister for Local Government and Communities, has now ruled out this option.

In a letter to Mr. Hart (dated November 19), he says that not enough traffic uses the road to justify installing a roundabout. But he adds that he has commissioned consultants to design a scheme to increase the width of the central reservation.

"Works will depend on the availability of funding in future financial years in competition with other schemes," his letter reads.

Whilst disappointed that the roundabout option has been ruled out, Mr. Hart is pleased that the junction is due to be made safer.

"I sincerely hope that this project isn't bumped off the list," he added. "Anyone who regularly uses the junction knows how hair-raising it can be and any changes to make it safer will be hugely welcome."