A Welshpool County Councillor has called for urgent action from Powys Council’s Highways department to improve safety on Red Bank following Saturday night’s horrific smash.
And he has also condemned the reckless driving of motorists who continue to ignore the 20mph speed limit in the area.
The incident which saw a car leaving the ground before clearing hedges and crashing into a house is the latest in a series on the known danger area.
Cllr Graham Breeze said he would be calling for an urgent meeting to discuss ways of both slowing down traffic and reducing the number of heavy-duty vehicles using the Red Bank area.
“This latest incident really is the last straw and the council must recognise the seriousness of the situation and introduce traffic calming measures,” he said.
“If motorists are refusing to abide by the speed limit and endangering the lives of residents, walkers and fellow drivers it’s time to take action before lives are lost.
“Drivers ignore the speed signs, they ignore the mini-roundabout junction with Brookfield Road and they ignore the Zebra Crossing.
“This time an innocent family has seen their home seriously damaged and their lives put at risk while enjoying a quiet evening at home. Having seen a video of the incident speed was clearly involved and it is a miracle that lives have not been lost.
“As the councillor for Llanerchydol Ward I am inundated with complaints about speeding drivers on this stretch of road from residents. It is completely unsafe for pedestrians and with the Red Bank area earmarked in the Local Development Plan for more housing, the traffic and pedestrian numbers will multiply.
“Recent measures to reduce the number of heavy goods vehicles using the road as a short cut by erecting warnings signs have been a complete failure and the time has come to restrict their movement,” he added.
“Powys County Council’s highways team erected signs on Church Bank and on the Guilsfield to Welshpool Road warning drivers that the Red Bank area was unsuitable for heavy goods vehicles but drivers are choosing to ignore them completely. So, we must go further and restrict them, unless for access.
“It is not long since a heavy goods vehicle took out the steps to the former Powysland Library building just a few yards from Saturday night’s incident.
“And there have been numerous incidents involving pedestrians and pram users with vehicles at the Church Bank entrance that miraculously have not resulted in serious injury.”
Cllr Breeze said he would also be contacting the Police and the Town Council for their support in getting safety improved.
Saturday night's incident happened at about 7.15pm and resulted in one person from the house, and the driver of the car, being taken to hospital. Whilst the person in the house, Mr Paul Nicoll, was released from hospital, it has been confirmed tonight that the driver remains in hospital as a result of their injuries.