We ask Caerphilly Council to protect our children with a crash barrier after cars on 2 separate incidents crashed through our gardens where they play.  

In 2008 a car was driving well over the limit down the Mountain Road in Caerphilly, lost control and crashed into the the residents of Castle View Estate's properties demolishing 5 fences and gardens. A young child had been playing on the bench in one of the gardens and was taken into have a bath. Moments later the bench was destroyed by the impact of the car.

They say lightening does not strike twice but in April 2011 on a lovely sunny day a young brother and sister were playing in their garden after a day at the beach. They were called in for their tea and while sitting at the table by the open patio doors they heard a huge bang and the house and garden filled with smoke...another car had been speeding down the Mountain Road again and hit 3 of the same gardens again. The gardens that were luckily missed this time were full of debris..where the children has been playing was covered with sharp parts of a smashed lampost. Luckily no-one was in any of the gardens at the time and no-one got hurt. The brother and sister no longer play in their garden.

We contacted our local councillor repeatedly to ask for help and he said he would look into it but nothing was done. In October 2013 we contacted him and the council again. The councillor said that he would look into it and contacted the Highway Control to assess the Road. They said that they only assess an area in a 5 year period and the 1st crash could not be included as it was outside the 5 year period so as low a low risk area. They agreed that if the councillor had contacted them when he was originally contacted then both crashes would have been included in the assessment and it would have been classed as a medium risk area. We were told that because it was now low risk and because the council have no funds (even though they managed to afford a pointless decorative wall at the top of Road) we could not have a metal crash barrier to protect our families.

There have been more accidents on the Mountain Road due to careless drivers.

In February 2009 cyclist Kate Auchterlonie, 28 was killed by a careless driver.

In October 2012 a 21 year-old lady was sent to hospital after a crash on the mountain road.

In January 2014 three cars were involved in a crash at the top of the road due to a careless driver.    

Near the top of the hill there is a crash barrier as there is a steep drop and this barrier is there to protect the careless drivers if they crash in this area but nothing is in place at the bottom to protect the innocent families at risk.

We have also asked for a speed camera as cars are bombing down the Road at all hours of the day and the residents feel as though we are sitting on a time bomb.     If we can get enough signatures then we can hopefully convince the Council that instead of spending all of their money on making the area look more modern and attractive they need to spend it on protecting us residents living in fear.