Someone has chopped down speed cameras that cost a quarter of a million pounds to install at a Welsh accident hotspot where three people have been killed and dozens more injured. Police are appealing for information after average speed cameras on the A4069 Black Mountain Pass road between Brynamman and Llangadog were damaged with the use of power tools during five separate incidents between February and earlier this month.
The road is very popular with car drivers and motorcyclists for the breathtaking views on offer. It has previously featured on an episode of Top Gear and was a favourite of presenter and car enthusiast Jeremy Clarkson. For the latest Carmarthenshire news, sign up to our newsletter here.
As well as the cameras themselves, damage was also caused to the solar power source, while batteries have also been stolen. The cameras were only installed last year, much to the annoyance of several motorists who accused GoSafe and Carmarthenshire Council of trying to make a profit. You can read more about that here.
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However, police insist the cameras were installed along a four-mile section of the road for safety purposes. Three people died as a result of crashes along the stretch in the 10 years between 2013 and 2023 and 37 people were injured during that time. Dyfed-Powys Police have said that since the average speed cameras were installed – at a cost to the tax payer of £250,000 – there have been no reported injuries on that particular stretch of the A4069.
It’s estimated that the cost to repair the damage and “make the road safe again” will total £180,000. GoSafe’s partnership manager, chief inspector Gareth Morgan, said: “Early signs for this scheme have been very positive and nobody has been killed or injured since they were installed. At a time where the public purse is stretched, these senseless acts increase risk and the burden on the local authority who installed the cameras.
“Whilst there may be a small proportion of society who think that this is acceptable, it is important to remember that these cameras were installed following deaths on this road. Collisions cause trauma and heartache for friends and families who have lost loved ones. This vandalism and theft raises the risk of another tragic incident on this road.”
An appeal is now being made for anyone with information about the damage caused to contact Dyfed-Powys Police either online, by e-mailing 101@dyfed-powys.police.uk, or by calling 101.