THE FAMILY of a teenage cyclist who died following a crash on Newport’s Southern Distributor Road (SDR) have welcomed news that a new temporary speed limit for the area is being considered.

Newport council leader, Cllr Jane Mudd, said the city council is currently working with Gwent Police to consider implementing a temporary speed limit on the busy road.

Cllr Mudd said the council has also asked for a review to be carried out.

Calls to review the safety of the SDR have been supported by the family of 16-year-old Joshua Fletcher, who died after he was involved in a crash with a car outside the Blaina Wharf pub on Friday, October 16.

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A petition to change the speed limit or the layout of the road, started by Joshua’s aunt, Avril, has been signed by around 1,200 people.

Newport Independent Party group leader, Cllr Kevin Whitehead, raised the issue at a full meeting of the city council on Tuesday.

“There seem to be daily reports regarding crashes and incidents on this infamous road,” he said.

“Following on from the tragic loss of Joshua Fletcher, his family have since pleaded for a whole review of the safety of the set up, looking for the appropriate bodies to review it which I think would be a good thing.”

Cllr Mudd said investigations into the fatal crash are ongoing, and provided assurance it has “not moved away from anyone’s attention”.

“This is not something we should be bandying things about, but it is something we should be actively working to do something about,” she said.

“So at Newport City Council we’ve asked Capita to undertake a review.

“Of course because of the nature of this case we have to wait for the findings of the police and the coroner.

“But we are currently working with the police to consider the implementation of a temporary speed limit in that area while we are awaiting the findings.

“Learning from this is really important.”

Cllr Mudd said any adjustments cannot be made until the council receives a report from the police.

“But I can tell you that actions are underway to address this,” she added.

Avril Fletcher, the aunt of Joshua, welcomed the news.

“I am glad something is being done,” Ms Fletcher said.

“It’s a start and it’s going in the right direction to get something done about that bridge.

“We do not want any other family to go through what we have just been through.”

A 28-year-old man from Rhondda Cynon Taff was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving following the crash, and has been released under investigation. An inquest into Joshua’s death will be held next year.