#a484 — Public Fediverse posts

KIDWELLY: Major incident as bus overturns on A484

Emergency services are dealing with a major incident after a service bus overturned beside the A484 near Kidwelly.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the collision happened on the road near the Kidwelly roundabout at Parc y Bocs, and declared a major incident.

The single-decker bus, a scheduled First Cymru X11 service, came to rest on its side in a field next to the road at Kingswood, just outside Kidwelly. It is not a school bus or a private coach.

Two Wales Air Ambulances landed at the scene, alongside fire crews, paramedics and police.

In a joint statement, Dyfed-Powys Police, the Welsh Ambulance Service and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said 13 people were assessed and discharged at the scene, and a further six were taken to hospital.

No injuries were believed to be life-threatening, the services said.

The three services said all those who had been looked after at a rest centre at the John Burns Centre in Kidwelly had now left, and thanked the public for their patience and the centre for its support.

The A484 is closed between the Kidwelly roundabout and Llandyfaelog, and drivers have been asked to find alternative routes.

Local councillor, Lewis Eldred Davies informed residents that those catching the X11 bus service to and from Kidwelly and Carmarthen, “the bus is currently taking the alternative route via Four Roads whilst emergency services are dealing with RTC between Parc y Bocs roundabout and Kingswood”.

A force spokesperson said emergency services were on scene and asked members of the public to stay away from the area until further notice.

Hywel Dda University Health Board said its teams were responding to the major incident, and warned that emergency department waiting times were likely to be longer as staff treated those with the greatest need first.

The board urged anyone needing help to use NHS 111 Wales as a first step if they were unsure where to go.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service say that firefighters from Tumble, Carmarthen and Kidwelly were at the scene.

The fire service added that: “All passengers have been safely removed from the bus and are receiving appropriate care. A rest centre has been set up at the John Burns Centre, where welfare arrangements are being made to ensure their comfort and safety.”

Bus operator, First Bus said it was supporting the driver and are working with the emergency services to understand what had caused the accident.

Zoe Hands, Managing Director of First Bus Franchising which covers Wales, said: “Our X11 service was involved in an incident earlier this afternoon (Tuesday 23 June) on the A484 close to the junction with Old Forge Lane, near Kidwelly.

“A team from our depot at Ammanford travelled to scene immediately to support our driver and look after our customers.

“The safety of everyone who travels with us is always our absolute priority and we are working with the police and ambulance service to care for those who need it and understand the circumstances which led to this incident.”

In the Senedd, the Trefnydd and Leader of the House, Heledd Fychan, told members the government was aware of the incident, and said the Deputy Minister for Transport would update the Senedd once more information was available.

Gareth Beer, the Reform UK MS for Sir Gaerfyrddin, said his thoughts were with everyone affected by the collision near Kidwelly.

“My heart goes out to the passengers, drivers, and their families during this worrying time,” he said.

He thanked the emergency services for their “swift response, dedication, and professionalism,” and urged motorists to avoid the area, find alternative routes and follow officers’ guidance so crews could work safely.

The road between the roundabout at Parc y Bocs and Llandyfaelog is expected to remain closed for some time while emergency services respond to the incident and carry out enquiries.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service are advising motorists if they are stuck in traffic due to a road closure, to take steps to stay safe in the heat.

It advises to Stay Cool by turning on air conditioning if available, or opening windows to allow airflow when safe. Avoid sitting in direct sunlight – use sunshades or cover windows if possible. If the engine is off, ventilate the car safely to prevent overheating.

It says motorists should Keep Hydrated by drinking water regularly, even if you don’t feel thirsty, avoiding caffeine, or sugary drinks as they can worsen dehydration.

It also urges people to protect the most vulnerable – particularly children, older people, pregnant women, and those with long‑term health conditions – and to never leave anyone (or pets) alone in a vehicle, even for a short time.

A484: Average speed cameras to be installed between Cadle and Loughor Bridge after years of fatal accidents

A new average speed camera system is set to be installed on the A484 between the Cadle roundabout and Loughor Bridge, as Swansea Council moves to tackle a road that has seen a number of fatal accidents in recent years.

Swansea Council’s cabinet has confirmed the cameras will be accompanied by improved road markings and signs along the route. The scheme forms part of the council’s 2026/27 transport investment programme, backed by Welsh Government regional transport fund money.

The A484 between Cadle and Loughor Bridge was built as a bypass in phases during the 1980s and 1990s, relieving the original route through Penllergaer, Gorseinon and Loughor of through traffic. The bypass nature of the road means it carries significant volumes of fast-moving traffic, and the junction at Victoria Road in Gowerton is a known congestion hotspot, particularly during peak hours.

Unlike fixed speed cameras — which only capture vehicles at a single point — average speed cameras measure a driver’s speed across the entire length of the monitored zone, making it much harder to slow down at a known camera location and accelerate again in between.

The decision to use average speed cameras rather than fixed cameras reflects the nature of the route, which has seen persistent speeding problems across its full length rather than at isolated spots. The road has been the scene of a number of fatal accidents in recent years, and the case for stronger enforcement has been building for some time.

A businessman based along the affected stretch welcomed the move, saying the road was badly in need of action. “It could do with it — it’s a very fast road. And it’s a lot faster at night-time. They race up and down there,” he told reporters covering last week’s cabinet meeting.

The route links Swansea’s western suburbs with Gowerton and Gorseinon, continuing to Loughor and on towards the Carmarthenshire boundary and Llanelli — making it a key commuter corridor for communities along Swansea’s western fringe.

Average speed camera systems have been widely deployed across Wales on roads where persistent speeding has been linked to serious collisions. They are generally credited with producing more sustained reductions in average speeds than fixed cameras, because drivers cannot predict exactly where enforcement is occurring along the monitored stretch.

The scheme forms part of a broader £6.7 million transport investment package for Swansea in 2026/27, which also includes a new mile-long riverside walking and cycling path along the River Tawe, flood alleviation work at Killay Square and on the Gower road at Llandewi, new EV charging infrastructure and a £750,000 e-bike hire scheme.

Swansea Council’s Head of Service for Transport and Highways, Stuart Davies, said the funding would enable the council to deliver “a wide range of transport related projects that will benefit motorists, public transport users as well as pedestrians and cyclists.”

Road safety education programmes will also continue to be funded as part of the same settlement, the council’s cabinet heard — including the Kerbcraft scheme for children learning to cross roads safely, cycle safety training and Bike Safe courses for motorcyclists.

The A484 camera scheme is expected to be delivered during the current financial year, though the council has not yet confirmed when the cameras will become operational.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Flood fix: Funding confirmed to finally tackle Killay Square and Gower road misery
Two of Swansea’s worst flood hotspots are part of the same transport investment package.

Barges needed to build new £8m riverside cycle path linking city centre to Swansea.com Stadium
The headline project from the same 2026/27 transport settlement.

Driving instructor four times over limit was on his way to collect pupil for lesson

Timothy Howells, 54, was arrested after his car was found in a roadside ditch on the A484 between Pembrey and Kidwelly at around 7.38am on Friday, 20 February.

Officers who attended the single-vehicle collision reported that Howells appeared heavily intoxicated and an initial roadside breath test reading showed 110 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.

He was arrested on suspicion of drink driving and taken into custody, where a second evidential breath test reading showed 132 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath — four times over the legal limit of 35 micrograms.

In interview, Howells admitted that when he was arrested by officers, he was on his way to collect a pupil for a driving lesson.

Howells appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 24 February, where he was sentenced to eight weeks in custody, suspended for 18 months.

Chief Inspector Christina Fraser from Dyfed-Powys Police said the case was an excellent example of teamwork by officers in removing a heavily intoxicated man in a position of great trust and responsibility from the road.

“Excellent example of teamwork by our officers in removing a heavily intoxicated man in a position of great trust and responsibility off the road; safeguarding both his driving school pupil and other drivers from a very high risk of serious harm,” Chief Inspector Fraser said.

The legal drink-drive limit in England and Wales is 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. Howells’ reading of 132 was nearly four times this limit.

Driving instructors are required to hold an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) licence from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), which can be revoked if the holder is convicted of certain offences including drink driving.