SAT NAV solutions sought for county roads

Just how to prevent lorries disrupting crematorium services at Penprys Llanelli is proving challenging.

Despite a sign explaining the road is unsuitable for heavy goods vehicles in Welsh and English and an internationally approved graphic suggesting a ‘no go’ route for lorries using Sat Nav technology, as many 12 heavy good vehicles a week end up blocking the road there.

Some heavy goods vehicles turn into the crematorium to try and escape the narrowing lane before them that leads through to Felinfoel and the car plant.

Many lorries have to be helped to reverse back onto the main road roundabout by the police causing delays and difficulties at the crematorium.

Bosses there say funeral services are still being disrupted by lorry drivers blocking the street after taking the wrong turn while using out of date satellite navigation systems.

Carmarthenshire council have installed written bilingual and visual warning signs, but the problem continues at Llanelli’s Penprys Road even though the nearby road layout changed when the crematorium was built.

A government summit is to be held to discuss similar problems around the UK when local transport Minister Norman Bakerhosts talks in March to ensure everything possible is done to get the right vehicles on the right roads.

Carmarthenshire council said the issue of signage near the crematorium was being discussed again amid suggestions other languages could be used to warn foreign drivers the road was unsuitable for heavy goods vehicles.

A Welsh government spokesperson said officials have been in discussion with the Department for Transport and Highways Agency in England regarding solutions.

The sign face advising motorists not to be directed to use a particular route was trialled in Carmarthenshire with the consent of the Assembly for a period of about 12 months. The experimental sign illustrates a satellite beaming downwards with a red bar through it.

County transport and parking manager John McEvoy said: “With the consent of the Welsh Government we erected these sign types at various locations including the U2187 at Nantycaws; Henfwlch Road, Carmarthen; Maeslan Road, Llangunnor; the U4110 Cwmann near Lampeter; King Street, Carmarthen; Penprys road leading to Llanelli crematorium and at Dolaugothi Gold Mines.”

County executive b oard member for transport services Philp Hughes said: “The Welsh Government has stopped the experimental use of these signs and have prescribed a revised sign warning drivers of large vehicles not to use a particular route. The newly prescribed sign face does not bear the insignia of a ‘satellite’. But we have both on display at Penprys and drivers are still ignoring them.”