RESIDENTS opposing the closure of their street say they will take the case to the ombudsman if they don't get the decision they want.

Caerphilly county borough council has closed one end of Cefn Road in Blackwood, making it in to a cul-de-sac.

Previously one-way, cars now have to drive in both directions to get in and out of the road.

The council say they closed the road last year because of safety concerns. Councillor Nigel Dix said: "Town centre traffic would use the road as a quick way through the centre, and the road is much quieter now."

Councillor Dix said the emergency services have a key to the lockable barrier at one end of the street so they can come through that way if they need to.

But some residents are furious with the change, saying the street is too narrow to accommodate two lanes of traffic. There are already cars parked along both sides of the road.

They say the closure has added to the safety problems, instead of solving them.

Albert Wilson, of Bloomfield Road just off Cefn Road, said: "We asked 160 households what they wanted - 106 of them wanted the one-way system back and 47 want it to stay as it is. The council is pushing this through and we will take it all the way to the ombudsman. It's far too narrow and it's just dangerous."

Mr Wilson added that the residents were especially concerned for children's safety.

Margaret Williams, of Cefn Road, stated in an objection letter to the council: "I object strongly to the cul-de-sac and wish Cefn Road to be re-instated as a one-way street.

"Cefn Road is not sufficiently wide to allow vehicles moving in opposite directions to pass, because of residents parking on the road."

Councillor Dix said council officers would make a final decision within the next few months on whether the road should remain closed.

Gwent Police said they were not aware of any problems with access to the road.