GLANAMAN residents say they are terrified a child will be hit by a passing car as they battle heavy traffic while trying to cross the road at Grenig Square.

For years residents have been campaigning for a pelican crossing to improve safety on the road, which can take up to 20 minutes to cross. 

Parents describe children “dicing with death” each time they send them off to school as youngsters are forced to cross the Cwmaman Road near the Fisherman’s club during peak hours to catch their bus to and from school.

Angry residents accused Carmarthenshire County Council of “dragging their feet” over the issue and fear it is only a matter of time before a child is killed.

Emma Powell who lives in Maes Grenig said her children cross the road every morning at 8.20am when traffic is at its busiest.

“My children, and others, are dicing with death every time they cross the road,” said Emma.

The nearest crossing is at Glanaman square, almost half a mile away and Emma, along with other local residents, say the bottom end of Glanaman “is forgotten about.”

“Do the council not care about the children’s safety this end of Glanaman? We will not stand for it and we will get our voices heard,” added Emma.

Also backing the campaign, Community Councillor Emyr Jenkins said the need for a crossing was first established many years ago, when traffic on the road was far lower.

“Our requests seem to fall on deaf ears,” he said.

“Carmarthenshire County Council always seem to come up with some lame excuse. The latest was the proximity of bus stops. It doesn’t seem an issue with Glanaman square or the Half Moon where the county splashed out thousands on replacing the existing crossing, which is much closer to both bus stops.

“In a time when everyone is talking of safe routes to school and encouraging people to walk rather than take a car is this acceptable - or safe even?”

Residents are always reminded of a local man who was hit by a car and killed on Grenig Square 33 years ago and say there have been many near misses witnessed over the years.

“I once had to administer first aid to a person who was knocked down and seriously injured whilst crossing, something I have no wish to repeat,” added Cllr Jenkins.

Carmarthenshire County Council's deputy leader, and Glanaman councillor David Jenkins has been calling on the need for a crossing for years and speaking to the Guardian he revealed the council are looking at ways to improve the safety at Grenig.

He said: “A bid is to be submitted to the Welsh Governments Safe Routes in Communities Scheme, which fund projects that increase the safety of children walking to school, including crossings.

“Questionnaires are available from Ysgol y Bedol, so parents can help with the bid.

“I have been in touch with residents at Grenig and know the need for a crossing is important to them. We are hopeful this money will be granted to make the route to school safer for the children of Glanaman.”