Ennis-Flint helps improve road safety on A477

Ennis-Flint has helped introduce a number of safety improvements on the A477 in west Wales.

A £68 million scheme to improve the A477 in Wales was officially opened by Transport Minister Edwina Hart earlier this year.

The A477 runs between St Clears and Red Rose and has been upgraded to include bypasses for Llanddowror and Red Roses.

Particular sections of the road where there are narrow lanes and tight bends have caused problems for many years involving a series of crashes, a lot of them fatal.

The optimum solution to improve road safety required the implementation of a number of Ennis-Flint safety features and materials. Highly reflective Stimsonite road studs were installed to clearly delineate carriage way centre lines and the hard shoulder, particularly for night time driving as the entire road is not covered by street lights.

As well as anti-skid material being used on tight bends to improve vehicle traction to the road, red coloured thermoplastic was applied to create a visual divide between the two carriageways. Highly reflective thermoplastic was used to delineate lanes whilst Vibraline, an audible edge lining was applied in the hard shoulder. Ennis-Flint worked in collaboration with Nolan Roadmarkings who applied all of the materials.

Over half the road features three lanes offering overtaking opportunities in both directions. Road users can also expect a quicker journey time and fewer delays due to accidents, flooding, fallen trees and maintenance.

Speaking at the time of the opening, Transport Minister Edwina Hart said: “As well as being part of a vital trans-European road network, this improved section of the A477 will provide more efficient road connections to the important tourism and energy enterprises in Pembrokeshire, and enable more effective connection with Ireland and Pembroke Dock.”

The new bypasses will also help with local environmental issues of the old road with reduced traffic noise level and a better air quality.