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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Christie Bannon

This has been labelled one of the most ridiculous and dangerous junctions anywhere

A junction in the heart of Llanelli town centre has been dubbed one of the "most dangerous" in the area.

The road layout in this part of the town has come under fire with one resident saying: "How any pedestrians have not been flattened is beyond me".

It is the entrance and exit to the Murray Street multi-storey car park, and the surrounding area which people have serious issue with.

The convoluted junction sees cars coming up and down two ramps, while lorries making deliveries in the town centre have to reverse off the street into a another road which runs parallel to the ramps.

There is then a fourth entrance and exit the other side of the car park ramps, crammed into a short length of highway.

Take a closer look at the road layout here:

Adding to the confusion, passing cars have to avoid vehicles parked on double yellow lines, while also allowing the lorry drivers time to complete the tricky manoeuvre.

Cars exiting the multi-storey car park are also not allowed to turn right onto Murray Street. Instead they have to turn left and use the roundabout to turn back around if they want to go the opposite direction.

Carmarthenshire Council confirmed that both Murray Street and the road behind the market, which runs parallel to the multi-storey car park ramps, were public highway and could be accessed by vehicles in both directions.

The road behind the market is a dead end, however.

There is no right turn from the car park exit (www.adrianwhitephotography.co.uk)
Drivers entering and exiting the multi-storey car park use the ramps, while lorries reverse alongside them (www.adrianwhitephotography.co.uk)

In a Facebook post that sparked a debate, Vanessa Parton said: "This has to be the most dangerous part of town.

"Whoever decided to have a superstore in the middle of town which requires several evening delivery lorries to try and negotiate two bends of almost 90 degrees in reverse.

"The parking is an issue with cars on double yellows along with a continual number of impatient drivers who risk serious injury by trying to pass the reversing lorry.

"How any pedestrians have not [been] flattened is beyond me. It surely is only a matter of time!

"I'm amazed how some of these drivers manage to keep their cool yet I have to admit they are super professional and are fantastic drivers but they are only human too. The clock is ticking!"

One resident has called it "the most dangerous part of town" (www.adrianwhitephotography.co.uk)
People are confused by the junction (www.adrianwhitephotography.co.uk)

Reacting to this, Deryk Cundy said: "Might help if the cars parked on the double yellows obeyed the law."

John Pritchard agreed, as he commented: "If the cars didn't park on double yellow lines the lorry will have enough room."

While Rosemarie Davies wrote: "Talk about a stupid road layout."

Gloria Rees said: "It's even worse in Cowell Street. They have widened the pavements on the corner of BJs Cafe and the lorries have to come round into John Street. Hats off to all the drivers."

Drivers exiting the multi-storey car park are not allowed to turn right and instead have to turn left and use a roundabout (www.adrianwhitephotography.co.uk)
It's not the easiest place to navigate in a car (www.adrianwhitephotography.co.uk)

Elli ward councillor John Jenkins believed enforcing the parking restrictions in the area was the best way to avoid problems.

He said: "I investigated this site yesterday. There are double yellow lines all around this junction reinforced with yellow dashes on the pavement which prohibit even loading and blue badge holders.

"It is obvious to me that enforcement of the parking restrictions is needed which is a council responsibility but if anyone is parked causing an obstruction then that is a police matter and I encourage people to call 101 to report.

"It is important that businesses are not prevented from getting deliveries to their stores and I hope common sense will prevail."

Stephen Pilliner, head of transport and highways at Carmarthenshire Council, said: "Stores and delivery companies are responsible and will make arrangements for a safe system for goods delivery to minimise impact and disruption on the public highway.

"At this location, the situation is not helped by cars parked illegally on yellow lines opposite the junction.

"Double yellow lines are there for a purpose and are actively enforced by our civil enforcement team. We urge all drivers to behave responsibly in the interests of public safety.

"There is ample car parking space in our town centre car parks as well as on street bays designated for blue badge holders."

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