New Gispy site at Brickyard Lane, Newport, could lead to fatality - councillors claim

8:00am Monday 12th November 2012 in Gwent news Photograph of the Author By Natalie Crockett

FEARS: Allt-yr-yn ward members Matthew Evans, David Fouweather and Charles Ferris at the blind junction linking Brickyard Lane with the busy High Cross roundabout junction FEARS: Allt-yr-yn ward members Matthew Evans, David Fouweather and Charles Ferris at the blind junction linking Brickyard Lane with the busy High Cross roundabout junction

COUNCILLORS in Newport say a proposed Gipsy and traveller site near the busy High Cross roundabout would increase traffic, which could result in a fatality.

Allt-yr-Yn ward members David Fouweather, Matthew Evans and Charles Ferris are against a planned residential site at Brickyard Lane because access is poor due to a blind junction linking it with the busy Glasllwch Crescent.

They are supporting a Romany Gipsy family already living at the site who are concerned word of the plans will spread and attract other families to the area.

Cllr Fouweather said: "Traffic moves very quickly there and I fear there will be a fatality if they allow more traffic on to that site.

"The committee have said it's acceptable for four pitches, each pitch holds two caravans. Would the planning department allow eight homes on the site? I think not."

Cllr Evans branded the access "perilous" and said other planning applications for the site had been turned down because of highway safety.

Cllr Ferris added: "It’s potentially lethal there, I know they say it would only be for four slabs but that doesn’t mean just four caravans, they would be effectively be doubling the occupation there upping the odds of a crash dramatically."

The council’s own highways team raised concerns during recent consultations and said plans for the existing encampment were only granted under "exceptional circumstances" because the family living there needed immediate housing.

They said Gwent Police were likely to object because they were concerned about the previous application.

In a report to be considered by cabinet today, planning officers noted the concerns but said as it was only a contingency site for four pitches, it was considered acceptable.

Brickyard Lane has been earmarked as a residential encampment, along with the former Ringland Allotment if a need for Gipsy and traveller sites arose in future.

A preferred residential site is planned for the Road Safety Centre, in Ringland, while transit sites could be built on a yard off the A449, or Celtic Way, Marshfield if that is not suitable.

The cabinet will discuss the plans today (MON) but a final decision on whether to replace five existing sites in Local Development plan with the newly chosen areas will be made by full council next year.

Comments(27)

Welsholdgit says...
10:32am Mon 12 Nov 12

Reading this article, does this mean that the council deem it acceptable for four families to get killed or injured but not more. I use this junction on many occasions and I have to say that I do believe it to be quite hazardous. I have left the roundabout in the direction of Newport and been confronted by a vehicle coming out of Brickyard Lane. I drive a car and also ride motorcycle. I do not blame drivers coming out of this lane, as I also have used this lane when visiting addresses in there. I therefore do understand the dangers of trying to exit the junction. One cannot see traffic coming from the right until it is right on top of one, owing to the continual left hand sweep of the road leaving the High Cross roundabout. When are we going to get someone within the Council with enough intelligence to do the job competently? Jeff Thomas. Risca.

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sherryp says...
11:00am Mon 12 Nov 12

One thing that leaps out, is that the mostly Labour council is using, yet again, its bullying might to put the non Labour-voting areas of Newport under the thumb. Coercion and threats are not pretty, but they are a fact of life here. Answer that you Labour bullies. This site is obviously wildly dangerous to motorists from everywhere, and locals in particular, because they will be using these roads most often. If, heaven forfend, a fatality or serious injury did occur, I would expect another promise of 'an enquiry' (read 'platitude') followed by a buried report, which would, as usual, lead nowhere. We are onto you, you wicked, wicked, self-serving people. Use a little common sense. This is a stupid idea. If you insist on persuing this, against all sanity, you must completely redisign and rebuild the motorway junction. Now there's a long running planning nightmare, right there. Stop playing your coercive, bullying games with peoples lives.

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Dai37 says...
11:05am Mon 12 Nov 12

It is pity our councillors squabbling like children about the placing of this site, do not pit there efforts to ensure the whole of Newport does not end up looking like a traveller site.
There must be a whole department devoted to making up "artists impressions" whilst the centre continues to empty out.
i know we only have ourselves to blame for voting such a bunch in, however surely they need to spend their energy on something more fruitful.

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pinpong says...
11:13am Mon 12 Nov 12

The councillors are correct. This is a bad bad junction and the last thing you want is more traffic. Mr Hargrieves comments are odd. I am sure that the travellers who already live there are hard working but if you read the article even they are concerned and dont want anyone else down there.
I dont think the councilors are squabbling they are sticking up for the area they represent. Its a pity more councillors dont do this. Did anyone see that letter on saturday about Bobby Bright. Now theres a man who has no interest in his area.
Back to the main point. This junction is dangerous and i agree that someone could get killed. Will that be the fault of the council?

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Jack Land says...
11:52am Mon 12 Nov 12

So the junction is busy and is dangerous? How many accidents have there been there in the last 5 years? Rather than opinion, show us the figures instead.
It's a horrible place to live, right next to the M4, if they are happy living in a place like that, leave them be. Better they remain there than decamp to school playing fields.

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james.dyer7@ntlworld.com says...
11:55am Mon 12 Nov 12

All interesting stuff eh. Other sites are being considered.

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james.dyer7@ntlworld.com says...
12:13pm Mon 12 Nov 12

sherryp - totally agree.

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Mr_T says...
12:18pm Mon 12 Nov 12

It is obvious that this site will not even apear on the final decision consideration, who are the council trying to kid? This location near high-cross is just to appease the high and mighty that it is not just the lower socio-economic demographic areas that are being considered. People nearby to this area need not worry as the camp will not be placed here, nor do those in Langstone have any worries as it would kick up to much of a fuss, especially when Mr terry Matthews flexes his econmoic muscles and tells the council of his withdrawl from Newport and any future investment if they give any traveler sites the go ahead near his Celtic manor resort! The decision will have been made already and guarantee at least one site (if not two) will be the former allotments in Ringland and the former road safety centre - also in Ringland....I am off to the bookies to place my bet! Pity the Newport City Councillors don't put as much effort into sorting out Newport City Centre's demise and deriliction as they have done into saying no to traveller camps in their wards!! There is an idea - we could use Newport city Centre as a camp - there certainly will not be many shops to be in opposition to this idea - nor shoppers!!

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casto says...
2:01pm Mon 12 Nov 12

sherryp says...
11:00am Mon 12 Nov 12

One thing that leaps out, is that the mostly Labour council is using, yet again, its bullying might to put the non Labour-voting areas of Newport under the thumb. Coercion and threats are not pretty, but they are a fact of life here. Answer that you Labour bullies. This site is obviously wildly dangerous to motorists from everywhere, and locals in particular, because they will be using these roads most often. If, heaven forfend, a fatality or serious injury did occur, I would expect another promise of 'an enquiry' (read 'platitude') followed by a buried report, which would, as usual, lead nowhere. We are onto you, you wicked, wicked, self-serving people. Use a little common sense. This is a stupid idea. If you insist on persuing this, against all sanity, you must completely redisign and rebuild the motorway junction. Now there's a long running planning nightmare, right there. Stop playing your coercive, bullying games with peoples lives.”,dont live in that neighbourhood ,do you?.and of course you vote for labour..lol.shall we put them in areas of high unemployment.ringlan
d ,or alway??.stop be so conceited..yes this area is damgerous,but isnt the newport bypas,just as dangerous?ie its a ring road.but then again its near the badlands,of ringland.

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james.dyer7@ntlworld.com says...
2:03pm Mon 12 Nov 12

so what is castro saying?

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ianzemma says...
2:26pm Mon 12 Nov 12

the other day i came round the corner from leaving the motorway and nearly crashed into a horse and trap walking across the road! how i missed them i'll never know.

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ianzemma says...
2:41pm Mon 12 Nov 12

the other day i came round the corner from leaving the motorway and nearly crashed into a horse and trap walking across the road! how i missed them i'll never know.

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SWBorderer says...
5:09pm Mon 12 Nov 12

Although I have not used this junction for many years, my grandparents used to live down on the canal side and I regularly used the junction then.

This junction has been a major accident waiting to happen since the motorway was built, the only thing saving it has been the relatively little use it gets, do I take it the council are trying to increase the accident rating for the town by increasing the use of the junction.

Can someone explain to me why people who describe themselves as travellers need a permanent place to live, surely they can just keep travelling. If they want a permanent home why not buy a house, if they still prefer to live in a caravan they could put one in the garden, at least then they would be paying the same taxes as the rest of us.

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sherryp says...
5:11pm Mon 12 Nov 12

No Casto, I don't. live there. And what am I conceited about? That I can spell? My politics are none of your concern. My concerns are that common sense has been set aside in favour of **** contests, and for the sense of entitlement of self-interested politicians who have had it their own way for too long, Open debate, common sense and fairness are all I am interested in. I agree, the SDR is a mess. Where it is is of less importance than the fact it is a botched job. Those of us who live in Newport, and have everything we own tied up here, are watching incompetent fools squander our futures.

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sherryp says...
5:19pm Mon 12 Nov 12

seems you can't say 'peeing' contests here. I can't immediately think of another way to express the futility and childishness of the actions of the parties involved.

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rhinestine says...
5:26pm Mon 12 Nov 12

Travellers are trouble, I for one don't want them in Newport!

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casto says...
8:26pm Mon 12 Nov 12

sherryp says...
5:11pm Mon 12 Nov 12

No Casto, I don't. live there. And what am I conceited about? That I can spell? My politics are none of your concern. My concerns are that common sense has been set aside in favour of **** contests, and for the sense of entitlement of self-interested politicians who have had it their own way for too long, Open debate, common sense and fairness are all I am interested in. I agree, the SDR is a mess. Where it is is of less importance than the fact it is a botched job. Those of us who live in Newport, and have everything we own tied up here, are watching incompetent fools squander our futures.”
i was born in pill.but now reside in rhiwderin .and unlike some ive lived in good and bad parts of newport.its not where youre from its who you are thatss more inportant.as for spelling.try working and answering/responding to posts.some us are rather busy earninga living.not enough time on my hands.unlike some.
james.dyer7@ntlworld
.com says...
2:03pm Mon 12 Nov 12

so what is castro saying?”.spell check jimmy dire??

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Howie' says...
8:30pm Mon 12 Nov 12

casto wrote:
sherryp says...
11:00am Mon 12 Nov 12

One thing that leaps out, is that the mostly Labour council is using, yet again, its bullying might to put the non Labour-voting areas of Newport under the thumb. Coercion and threats are not pretty, but they are a fact of life here. Answer that you Labour bullies. This site is obviously wildly dangerous to motorists from everywhere, and locals in particular, because they will be using these roads most often. If, heaven forfend, a fatality or serious injury did occur, I would expect another promise of 'an enquiry' (read 'platitude') followed by a buried report, which would, as usual, lead nowhere. We are onto you, you wicked, wicked, self-serving people. Use a little common sense. This is a stupid idea. If you insist on persuing this, against all sanity, you must completely redisign and rebuild the motorway junction. Now there's a long running planning nightmare, right there. Stop playing your coercive, bullying games with peoples lives.”,dont live in that neighbourhood ,do you?.and of course you vote for labour..lol.shall we put them in areas of high unemployment.ringlan

d ,or alway??.stop be so conceited..yes this area is damgerous,but isnt the newport bypas,just as dangerous?ie its a ring road.but then again its near the badlands,of ringland.
' Coercion and threats are not pretty, but they are a fact of life here. Answer that you Labour bullies'.

This is interesting, what coercion and threats are you talking about? please enlighten us.

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chris227 says...
9:11pm Mon 12 Nov 12

Allt-yr-Yn will be the new bettws in a years time lol

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rover100rich says...
9:23pm Mon 12 Nov 12

sherryp , spell pursue , when were the travellers banished from ireland because i can vouch for the fact that there are still thousands of them here , i spoke to a couple yesterday , there are definitely good and bad in all ,i have seen some appalling behaviour by some and then others are the most quiet ,polite people you would wish to meet

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james.dyer7@ntlworld.com says...
10:37pm Mon 12 Nov 12

castro - Sorry Pill boy, I missed your comments as you seem to have mixed them up with the quotes from sherryp. So living in Rhwderin now i expect you've got an inside toilet and bathroom.

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casto says...
8:01am Tue 13 Nov 12

spell check again....havent we all inside toilets.or are you stuck in a time warp.dire
james.dyer7@ntlworld
.com says...
10:37pm Mon 12 Nov 12

castro - Sorry Pill boy, I missed your comments as you seem to have mixed them up with the quotes from sherryp. So living in Rhwderin now i expect you've got an inside toilet and bathroom.”

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james.dyer7@ntlworld.com says...
8:15am Tue 13 Nov 12

castro. well at least you are learning to separate quotes from your views. It does help. No need for sarcasm.

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SASHA.P says...
11:58am Tue 13 Nov 12

Well I think the transit site on the plot adjacent to the a449 will lead to fatality acces through single lanes wich is difficult at the best of times I cant imagine how it would be bumping into one of their low loaders or trucks going through the bulmore road or catsash a head on collision there would be more than fatal Mr T I hope your right that Mr Matthews will be able to stop them from being sited there I have lost faith in NCC for even suggesting the site and have more faith in Mr Terry Matthews to put an end to this nonsense and will back him all the way as he seems to be the only one who is talking sense lately.I do agree the junction off the brickyard lane is also extremly badly positioned and its not a safe site no more travvelers should be sited there there are plenty of open easy access sites around the rest of Newport why stick them out the lanes where its obviously hazardous to others on the road?

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Bobevans says...
6:47pm Tue 13 Nov 12

I love this little gem I found on a Council Web Site


"Planning law defines Gypsies and Irish Travellers as people with a travelling way of life. Whilst this is historically true, 90% of Gypsies and Irish Travellers around the world now live in houses. When Gypsies and Travellers live in houses their culture and heritage stays with them; you do not have to travel to be a Traveller."


Get it Travellers do not have to travel but they maintain their culture but a key part of their culture is travelling so they are not maintaining it


You just could not make it up

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Howie' says...
1:14am Wed 14 Nov 12

Bobevans wrote:
I love this little gem I found on a Council Web Site


"Planning law defines Gypsies and Irish Travellers as people with a travelling way of life. Whilst this is historically true, 90% of Gypsies and Irish Travellers around the world now live in houses. When Gypsies and Travellers live in houses their culture and heritage stays with them; you do not have to travel to be a Traveller."


Get it Travellers do not have to travel but they maintain their culture but a key part of their culture is travelling so they are not maintaining it


You just could not make it up
'You just could not make it up'

Yes Bob you can and you do it on nearly every post!

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james.dyer7@ntlworld.com says...
1:43am Wed 14 Nov 12

howie - you maybe right but in fairness they don't want to travel as if they did sites would not have to be provided,

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