Councillors fear 'only a matter of time' before fatal accident at Ammanford crossing

Stacey Amos, a Wilko store worker, suffered a broken hand, foot, toe and a head injury following a collision involving a collided with a Vauxhall Corsa at 9.35am when she was on her way to work and was taken to Swansea’s Morriston hospital.

Just an hour later at 10.35am another female pedestrian fell from the kerb near the crossing and was also taken to hospital by ambulance.

Following the collision, Stacey said she wished to thank those who helped her at the scene.

“I would particularly like to thank good samaritan Della Hay, a passer-by who took the time to come to my aid and also my manager Ian Jefferies.,” she said.

“I am also very grateful to Ammanford police and the ambulance staff at the scene.”

Since the crossing was installed it has been the source of controversy, with many shoppers claiming it to be too dangerous for both pedestrians and drivers.

The incident caused chaos and saw the road closed for more than an hour.

Shopper Julie Lewis from Glanaman, said it was only a matter of time before someone was seriously hurt at the crossing.

“I’ve seen a number of near misses at the crossing,” said Julie.

“I once saw someone get clipped by a car as they walked across the zebra crossing – they were very lucky to come away unscathed.

“It just isn’t safe – I hope this latest incident means that the county council will now look into improving the crossing.”

At Monday night’s Ammanford town council meeting Councillor Wendy Evans, who has battled for years to get the crossing changed, said it was “only a matter of time before someone gets killed”.

“Whenever the crossing in brought up for discussion, road safety and transport manager John McEvoy tells us there is no money,” she said.

“We have to be seen to be doing something about it now.”

Town council clerk Miriam Phillips was investigating how many accidents have occurred on the crossing in the past three years.