Calls for fines to be increased and implemented for lorry drivers who ignore signs telling them to detour and avoid Lowertown, Fishguard, have been made after a large lorry towing a yacht became stuck in the village last week.

The lorry, bearing signs stating that it was ‘convoi exceptionnel’-exceptional convoy became stuck at Bridge Street Lowertown on the evening of Thursday, September 30.

Traffic had to divert around Llanychaer and police officers were dispatched to the area. By the time they arrived at the scene the driver of the lorry had managed to manoeuvre the vehicle out of the tight squeeze it was in and the traffic was flowing again.

“Dyfed-Powys Police received reports of a vehicle towing a yacht becoming stuck on Bridge Street, Lower Town at approx. 18.30 on 30th September 2021,” said a police spokesperson.

“Officers attended to assist but there were no signs of traffic build up and the vehicle is believed to have moved shortly after the calls were received.”

Police said that no further action was being taken at this time.

Cllr Myles Pepper rang the police to alert them to the situation and asked that they pursue a prosecution; lorry drivers ignoring signs telling them to avoid Lowertown can be fined.

The problem in Lowertown is not a new one, with lorries becoming stuck on the narrow bend through the village and causing chaos for more than a decade.

“There are signs in place,” said Cllr Pepper “It is not satisfactory.”

He said that he had previously written to Stephen Crabb urging that the penalties given to drivers be significantly increased.

“The fines are very small amounts of money. For a lot of [lorry] drivers using that road saves them a lot of time. Time is money so they take the risk.”

Cllr Pepper believes the fine should be ‘substantially’ increased to deter drivers from taking the risk.

He said that vehicles had to be diverted around Llanychaer and that it put residents at risk if emergency vehicles were required.

“If somebody on the old Newport Road or near Parc y Morfa was taken seriously ill or there was a fire, emergency vehicles would have to go round Llanychaer and back, adding 20 minutes to the journey, when they could be needed withing 800 metres of where the road was blocked.

“People are failing their responsibility,” said Cllr Pepper. “We haven’t got Lowertown right and it simply isn’t good enough.”

The South Wales Trunk Road Agency (SWTRA) said that an advance warning system has been developed and was installed in spring this year. This signage triggers and notifies over length vehicles of the length restrictions and to stop and turn around.

A further phase of the project is to design an alert system that would also alert engineers of any incidents to ensure a quicker response if vehicles do continue along the route. SWTRA said that this is being developed this financial year.

"Currently the next phase that may include CCTV and an alert system to advise the agents when/if an overlength vehicles ignores these signs is being designed this financial year," said the spokesperson. "Subject to design issues and/or land acquisition and/or funding requirements, construction/installation of this next phase could begin next financial year."