RESIDENTS near Defynnog are pleading with Powys County Council to introduce safety measures to a stretch of road, including a crossroads, which was the scene of a fatal traffic accident in May.

The group formed of people from Senni and Cwmcamlais, led by Maescar community councillors Sharon Pritchard and Andy Lewis, met near the Cwmbrynich Crossroads on the A4215 between Libanus and Sennybridge on Friday evening.

Powys County Councillor Edwin Roderick and Brecon and Radnorshire MP Chris Davies attended the meeting along with PC Jeff Cahalane from Dyfed-Powys Police to hear the group’s concerns surrounding the junction close to a “blind summit” on the main road.

Chris Davies, who is supporting residents and assisting them with lobbying Powys County Council to make improvements to both the road and the crossroads, has said that usually the county council needs evidence before they can make improvements.

Mr Davies said: “Quite often, Powys County Council waits until there has been accidents or fatalities before they do anything in these situations. However action needs to be taken quickly here – it’s a blind spot by there and there are further accidents waiting to happen.”

The Conservative MP said there was “grave concern” in the local community over the stretch of road following various accidents, some of which have resulted in fatalities.

“I walked the road after (the meeting) and it’s very clear to see what the problem is. I am hoping to meet with the portfolio holder for highways to show them the road and so they can talk to residents.”

Mr Davies said: “There needs to be cameras put in as an interim action. The stretch between Defynnog and Libanus is a well used road and this is the diversion of choice by road authorities.

“There are very strong feelings in the local community who are worried it will take more fatalities of locals and road users (before something is done).”

A 34-year-old man died following the latest accident on Friday, May 18 after an Audi A3 collided with an orange KTM motorbike at the junction at around 7pm. The man, named as Lee Church from Neath, was airlifted to hospital in Swansea but passed away more than three weeks later on Monday, June 4 from the injuries he sustained in the crash at the junction of the A4215 with the unclassified road that leads to Mynnydd Illtud Common.

Police are still investigating the accident and are asking anyone with information to contact Brecon Police Station on 101. It is believed that Powys County Council created the hill at the junction when they straightened the road before the 1970s.

Anita Denny, 47, said that her family has lived near the road for five generations. She said local residents feel the junction is dangerous because of the hill on the A4215.

She said a neighbour was involved in the crash in May and was lucky to get out of her vehicle alive before it burst into flames. She said: “It’s terrifying to think this could have happened to anyone of us. When someone pulls out, no one can see properly and it can mean game over. When you’re coming out from the mountain centre onto the A4215, where you pull out on to the brow of the really steep hill, you don’t see anything coming. You can pull out and something will hit your side whether they’re doing 50 miles per hour, 60mph or over the speed limit.

“I’ve lived here all of my life, just as my parents and grandparents did, and it’s been this way since pre-1970s when Powys County Council straightened the road. It was Powys council who created the hill. Since then there are many more cars on the road and they’re going faster – there’s also the nasty bend with all the cottages.”

You can follow the group campaigning for safety on the Facebook group Cwmbrynich Crossroads.