AS motorcyclist deaths in Powys hit a seven-year high, an angered Breconshire resident has urged transport minister, Edwina Hart, to take preventative action.
Mark Rhydderch-Roberts says his heart sinks as he hears the roar of motorbike engines approaching his home town of Crickhowell at twice the legal limit.
In the summer months the retired investment banker, who says he has been complaining for years about un-policed motorcyclists, believes someone is killed most weekends within a 20-mile radius of the town.
Now, as official figures reveal that Powys has the joint highest number of motorbike casualties out of all the local authorities in Wales, Mr Rhydderch-Roberts is urging transport minister, Edwina Hart, to drastically increase preventative measures.
“Save money on education and spend on prevention. That’s what I would tell Edwina Hart,” he said, adding: “All the education programmes are a waste."
Incidents recorded by the police show that the number of motorcyclists killed or injured on the roads in Wales has risen for the fourth year in a row with 28 fatalities in 2014, up from 17 in 2013.
Kirsty Williams, AM for Brecon and Radnorshire said she is not surprised at these figures. “I’m very disappointed, but unfortunately not surprised, about the news that the number of motorcyclists killed or injured on roads in Wales has risen for the fourth year in a row and is at a seven-year high."
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