RESIDENTS fear a fatal accident on a busy main road close to their homes and are demanding action from police.

Residents of Llanyrafon, Cwmbran, say Llanfrechfa Way is not only a favourite haunt of boy racers, but is also being used as a shortcut by motorists heading for Newport.

As previously reported, nearby Llanyravon boating lake car park which was used as a meeting place for boy racers is now closed at night thanks to public pressure.

But Malcolm Gough, of The Alders, who led that campaign, accused Gwent Police of "inertia" when it comes to residents' other concerns. He said: "It's not just boy racers speeding on the road, it's all motorists. This is a major trunk road and most motorists are speeding." Barry Lane, also from the Alders, said HGV vehicles which used the road to train on were a hazard.

"People are speeding down and they have to try and avoid them," he said. A Camera Safety Partnership spokeswoman said: "The department of transport stipulates the guidelines for installing permanent cameras, which are four collisions in the last 36 months involving fatalities or serious injuries.

"The site is already visited on a regular basis by officers using mobile cameras, because it has been identified as being a community concern site."

A Gwent Police spokeswoman said: "We have been in correspondence with Mr Gough and have explained the situation with regard to speed cameras.

"Traffic calming measures and vehicle restriction measures fall within the council's remit."

A Torfaen council spokesman said "We are aware residents wish to hold a public meeting."