A LLANDOVERY father's quick-thinking saved his own life and that of his six-year-old son when an articulated pipeline lorry came heading straight for them.

Eirian Davies, of Glangwydderig Farm, said the incident, coupled with recent tales of a similar nature, should be enough to ban pipeline traffic from coming through the town.

He said: "People's lives should come before profit."

The latest incident, which took place on Sunday, May 6, happened on the A40 between Llandovery and Halfway.

"As we turned a corner near Verdre Farm, a pipeline articulated lorry carrying a huge earth-moving vehicle was coming towards me at a very high speed, with the tracks of the excavator encroaching on to my side of the road by one metre." said the 50-year-old.

"I took evasive action by stopping as close to the crash barrier as possible.

"The vehicle hit my van, breaking off my wing mirror, knocking it through the side window and hitting me on the head."

Mr Davies's disbelief at what happened escalated when the lorry driver stopped briefly, only to drive on when he realised no serious injuries had been sustained.

"Had I not taken evasive action I know myself and my son would have been killed," he said. "The lorry did have an escort, but it was following behind."

A spokesman for the National Grid said: "Safety is paramount in all our activities and we are very concerned to hear of these incidents.

"We have met with the contractors and have stressed that it is not acceptable. All pipe transporting will be completed in Wales within four weeks, weather permitting.

Carmarthenshire Council's principal engineer Roy Griffiths said: "We are aware of public concerns. The road through Llandovery is a trunk road and we are unable to put any restrictions on the movement of traffic there."