The woman suffered extensive injuries including broken bones and required significant surgery following the incident
Signs indicating the speed at which drivers are travelling have been installed near a school and at the site where a pedestrian was hit by a lorry. The call for improved road safety measures came after a 51-year-old woman required extensive surgery after she was struck by a lorry on Welsh Street in Chepstow town centre while returning from Chepstow Leisure Centre in February, resulting in multiple broken bones.
Local councillor Christopher Edwards has voiced numerous safety concerns about the road that extends from the roundabout near Chepstow Racecourse, through the town centre, past Dell Primary School, and towards the comprehensive and adjacent leisure centre.
In March the Conservative councillor questioned Monmouthshire County Council’s plans to enhance road safety and requested an update on progress at September’s full council meeting. For the biggest stories in Wales first, sign up to our daily newsletter
Councillor Catrin Maby, the cabinet member responsible for highways, confirmed that the speed indication signs have now been installed and that police community support officers (PCSOs) will also be present in the area.
She said: “Further traffic monitoring is due to be carried out in the coming weeks now schools have returned. The police have agreed to have PCSOs present at school drop off times in the first few weeks of the new term to reiterate the safety message.”
Cllr Edwards expressed his disappointment at the lack of further information following his request in March for a road safety review on St Lawrene Road. Cllr Maby apologised if she had “misunderstood” the question from five months ago that he’d been expecting an answer to.
Cllr Edwards pointed out that the council’s constitution requires written responses to formal questions which can’t be answered in the chamber to be provided within five working days.
He sought clarification on whether it is the responsibility of councillors to chase answers or for cabinet members to provide them, or if it is an administrative process handled by democratic services.
Chief executive Paul Matthews assured that clarity would be provided to all councillors within 24 hours. Cllr Edwards confirmed that this has since been provided and after seeking further clarity from the monitoring officer he said “standing orders require the cabinet member to send a written response. Therefore the onus is on the cabinet member.”
Cllr Edwards mentioned his previous frustration at the failure to provide a written answer to a question on Chepstow School and said other councillors have also raised the issue.
Gwent Police confirmed that an investigation remains ongoing after a 30-year-old man from Sedbury was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
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