ONE hundred black balloons were released in Blackwood yesterday, pictured, at an accident blackspot that claimed the life of a teenager earlier this year.

Wayne Davies, of Aberbargoed, died in a car accident on the A4048 at Rock Villas on July 8, just a day before his 19th birthday.

His family and people living along the dangerous stretch of road released the balloons yesterday morning, in a bid to draw attention to an on-going campaign for traffic-calming measures.

The balloons carried a message asking the finder to post it to Caerphilly council in support of the campaign.

The residents, who were joined by Blackwood councillor Kevin Etheridge, also blocked the road to traffic for a few minutes and carried placards asking drivers to cut their speed.

Wayne's aunt, Suzanne Hook, told the Argus: "I hope no one else will have to go through what we had to. We are not coping well at all."

His mother Sandra Davies, of Bedwellty Road, Aberbargoed, has written to Caerphilly council calling for speed calming measures on the road.

She said: "Wayne's death at such an early age has devastated our whole family and left a gap in our lives which can never be filled. The residents of the Rock have, since July, sustained a campaign for traffic calming along this dangerous stretch of road."

She added: "We do not wish to see another family suffer as we have, experiencing the trauma of losing a loved one. Please take action now to avoid further tragedy."

Caerphilly council is due to discuss a motion calling for traffic calming next week and residents say they will be outside the council offices for another demonstration before the meeting.

Wayne Adams, chairman of the campaign, said the residents already had the support of Islwyn MP Don Touhig and Neil Kinnock.

He said there have been several accidents outside the Rock Villas and residents now want speed chicanes as well as speed cameras. "Putting up 30mph signs just isn't enough."