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Newport to investigate accident blackspot after fatal collision in October was followed by a second teenage cyclist being hit

“There’s no safe space” says Sustrans Cymru

The safety of a Newport road is to be reviewed following two serious traffic collisions involving cyclists within the space of weeks. 14-year-old Codi Gulliford was hospitalised after a collision on East Dock Road on November 2 after 16-year-old Joshua Fletcher was killed on the nearby Southern Distributor Road (SDR) on October 16.

Wales Online reports that Fletcher was hit outside the Blaina Wharf pub on the westbound carriageway at around 2pm.

A 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and released under investigation.

Shortly after Fletcher's death, local resident Paul Flynn wrote to the leader of Newport council, Gwent Police, and MPs Jessica Morden and Ruth Jones, urging them to review the safety of the road.

After Gulliford was hit, his mother Christine commented: "The road is so dangerous, you would think that after young Josh dying a few weeks ago people would be more careful."

The director of Sustrans Cymru, Christine Boston, said the incidents demonstrated a need for rapid change.

“One of the main barriers is around safety and the fact that there’s no safe space,” she said.

“There will need to be a lot of investment in cycleways so that there are more segregated routes for walking and cycling.”

A spokesperson for Newport City Council said: "We have a number of projects to further enhance safe cycling and walking routes across the city as part of our active travel programme and want to develop these further to join up the network.

"The police will conduct a thorough investigation into the recent incidents on the SDR. We and the road operator will support them fully in that process.

"When the investigation and legal processes have concluded, the council will work with the police to establish if any further measures need to be considered."

Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.

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4 comments

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Captain Badger | 3 years ago
2 likes

Not an Accident Blackspot if you please. Should be a crash/incident/negligence blackspot. Come on Road.cc, if cycling journalism can't get it right what hope have the hoi-polloi?

Avatar
quiff | 3 years ago
1 like

This is (I think) one of the roads I was thinking of in the recent discussion about whether cyclists should use 'fast' dual carriageways. I think this road (and others like it in and around Newport) has only a 40 or 50mph posted limit, but they're pretty intimidating, busy roads through largely industrial areas. There are some cycle paths alongside in places, but if you're basically trying to go where the road goes (e.g. to get through Newport as quickly as possible to get onto nicer, more scenic roads) then they're incredibly frustrating, stop-start affairs.   

Avatar
ktache | 3 years ago
8 likes

After Gulliford was hit, his mother Christine commented: "The road is so dangerous, you would think that after young Josh dying a few weeks ago people would be more careful."

I'm sorry Christine, but this is not how many motorists behave.

Avatar
Welsh boy | 3 years ago
6 likes

I had someone hit me from behind in a perfectly bright morning on that section of road a few years ago. Wrote my bike off but luckily I was ok and her insurance paid up

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