The latest traffic figures for Llandysul provide interesting reading for those both interested in and opposed to bypasses.
These figures below, taken from a counter in Well Street, give a five-day average for August each year. The £23 million Llandysul Bypass was opened in October 2009 – three years ago this month. Figures for the following August showed traffic through the town reduced by 60%.
Aug 2005 = 4485 vehicles
Aug 2006 = 4537 vehicles
Aug 2007 = 3948 vehicles
Aug 2008 = 4421 vehicles
Aug 2009 = 4440 vehicles
Oct 2009 – Bypass opens
Aug 2010 = 1814 vehicles
Aug 2011 = 1798 vehicles
Aug 2012 = 1691 vehicles
That may be good news for people wanting a quieter town and for drivers wanting a faster journey between mid-Ceredigion and Carmarthen. But, as I heard at a meeting in the town last week, it’s been a disaster for local shops and businesses. Bypasses are a two-edged sword.
Update: An expanded version of this piece can be found here.
Image source: http://www.llandysul-plogoneg.org/?c-The-achievements-of-the-twining
Update: An expanded version of this piece can be found here.
Image source: http://www.llandysul-plogoneg.org/?c-The-achievements-of-the-twining