Call for action after car just misses Caldicot girl, 7 (From South Wales Argus)

Call for action after car just misses Caldicot girl, 7

9:00am Sunday 3rd February 2013 in News By Melissa Jones

NARROW ESCAPE: Kay Harris and granddaughter Cerys O’Garro at the turning area, where Cerys, seven, narrowly avoided being hit by a car

A WOMAN who says her granddaughter was nearly knocked down by a turning car in Portskewett is calling for action.

Former Caldicot town councillor Kay Harris said seven-year-old Cerys O’ Garro, who lives there with mum Alison, narrowly avoided being hit by a driver, who like many turn into King Harold’s View and reverse into the parking area there to turn around.

This is despite a sign telling them not to.

Mrs Harris is now urging motorists to take more care.

She said: “There is going to be a nasty accident there one day. I think it’s hazardous to children playing there and irresponsible for drivers to reverse into someone else’s drive. It’s a constant worry for me.”

Mrs Harris said another car has also reversed “within inches” of her and in another incident, a vehicle came close to a toddler.

Drivers are said to use the side roads off Main Road to access the Spar shop, doing a three-point turn to come out again.

Several Melin Homes properties and the Bellway development are behind the shop, which is used from the early hours of the morning to late at night.

Mrs Harris addressed Monmouthshire council leader Peter Fox, who lives in the village, at the recent Severnside meeting.

Afterwards, he said: “I do sympathise with Kay’s position, I see the issue every day.

“But it’s a real dilemma.

Paul Keeble (council’s traffic and network manager) and highways officers are aware of the congestion but not necessarily aware of the turning issue, but I knowthe police have spoken to people.

“It’s something we are very mindful of in the community and it’s something I am concerned about, the amount of irresponsible parking. The centre of Portskewett is extremely congested and will get more so with additional housing and if the local development plan (LDP )comes to fruition.”

Mark Gardner, Melin Homes chief executive, said: “The safety of our residents is always our highest priority, We put a sign at our car park entrance to prevent non-residents using it.”