PART of a road which residents have labelled "a death trap" is set to be closed to traffic, after almost a decade of campaigning.

The residents of Gordon Road in Blackwood, who have campaigned for the closure of a road connecting them to the Highfields Estate and Cefn Fforest, are overjoyed that part of it will soon be sealed off from any motor vehicles.

Tiffeny Davies has been one of Gordon Road's leading campaigners since her 15-year-old daughter Maria was involved in a car accident outside her home three years ago.

Mrs Davies said: "Maria had just got off a school bus. She was thrown 30 foot through the air and it is a miracle that she is still with us.

"It was very fortunate that she was wearing a rucksack which cushioned her fall and she didn't receive any permanent injuries. Many people have campaigned long and hard for this day, some for almost ten years, and we are delighted that we have been victorious and it is a triumph for all those who have got involved.

"We all feel as if we have earned it. "I have always thought that the road was a death-trap.

"The situation really has been horrendous and there's a blind bend by the Monkey Tree pub, where cars come round the corner. I am amazed that nobody has ever been killed there. "The road is so unsuitable as a main thoroughfare and very dangerous." Caerphilly County Borough Councillor Darren Jones, who represents the Blackwood ward, who has campaigned with residents and fellow ward councillors since becoming a councillor in 1998, warmly welcomed the announcement.

He said: "This is excellent news for the residents of Gordon Road, after much lobbying and campaigning and a petition I collected with a fellow ward councillor in 1999."

Councillor Kevin Etheridge said: "Obviously, the closure is long overdue and, as the elected member for Blackwood, I welcome the closure for the safety of residents."

Traffic to and from Albany Road and Coronation Road onto Gordon Road will still be permitted and a right of way for pedestrians will be retained along the old lane. Work on sealing off the road is due to start this week and is expected to take about a fortnight to complete.