CARMARTHENSHIRE County Council are more concerned about utility companies than the people who pay their wages, according to an angry Llandybie community councillor.

Cllr Alun Davies is furious that a gas pipe has been installed alongside Saron's Dyffryn Road bridge - a renowned accident blackspot.

He says it has been fixed right on the spot where campaigning locals hoped a footbridge would be installed over the Nant y Ci River.

"There is a 150m stretch without a pavement along this stretch of road that includes the bridge," Cllr Davies told colleagues.

"There is a nasty bend and a narrowing of the road."

Cllr Davies maintained plans for road improvements had never come to fruition.

"It seems that the county are more concerned about the utility companies than the people who pay their wages," he added.

"If this road was up in Cwmaman, Carmarthen or Llanelli this work would now be completed.

"The county council's highways department are stabbing the people of Penybanc and Saron in the back.

"This section of road must - along with the A48 at Cwmgwili - be among the most dangerous in the county.

"We, the residents, are tired of the crumbs from the county council's table - we want a slice of the cake with icing on top."

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Davies said a Freedom Of Information request had revealed 20 reported accidents per annum at the blackspot over the past five years.

A county council spokesman said the gas company had to opt for a surface crossing owing to rocky ground conditions.

"There are no firm plans to carry out a pedestrian crossing in place although with the potential of newhousing nearby it could be a consideration during the provision of that development," he added.

"The gas pipe crossing has not ruled out the possibility of an exclusive pedestrian crossing of the river."