Poor Speed Limit Signage in Pontyates causing frustration for motorists

On most roads around Carmarthenshire, you will find clear signage for the enforced speed limit, ensuring that motorists are well aware of their speed. However, in Pontyates, it seems that motorists are having to flip a coin as to which sign they should be following.

At the very top of Pontyates on Heol Llanelli , as you approach the sign welcoming you to the village, the speed limit reads 30, but a little further down, speed limit signs for 20 have been scrubbed with white spray-paint, raising the eyebrow of any keen-eyed motorist.

But the confusion only deepens as on another stretch of road near the village, signage indicates two different speed limits for the same road. One sign says the limit is 50 whilst the other says the limit is 30.

This has resulted in confusion and frustration amongst motorists in the area, increased by the presence of police units monitoring the speed of cars coming into the village from Heol Llanelli and fining people for following the speed limit enforced by the incorrect and poor signage around the village. Whilst the signage indicates 30, it seems that motorists are being fined for exceeding 20.

One frustrated motorist said:

“In Pontyates, a speed detector van is booking people for excessive speed through the village for days even though the signage is cancelled out with paint and signs are not displayed correctly.

“30 and 50 both-at same point with police fines unit sending N.I.P in the post, even though proof of signs and defects are not accepted, saying its 20 mph limit not 30.”

Carmarthenshire News Online reached out to Dyfed-Powys Police for a comment on their presence in the area and whether or not they would instead take a more active role in alerting motorists to the error and enforcing the correct speed limit, showing a use of better initiative on their part. In response, Dyfed-Powys Police issued the following comment on behalf of GoSafe:

“GoSafe is working closely with local authorities following the change in default speed limit.

“GoSafe’s casualty reduction officers are trained to know the legal signage requirements.

“Prior to starting enforcing, they complete multiple checks, including checking road signage.

“If the road signage is not appropriate, they will not enforce and will report it to the relevant Highway Authority to remedy.”

We also reached out to Carmarthenshire County Council to ask if there were immediate plans to correct the signage as the responsibility ultimately falls on the Council to ensure that road signage is clear and consistent. We have not received any response from CCC on the matter as of yet.