CAMPAIGNERS in Llandovery claim that the council has created a "death trap" by diverting a public right of way on to a road.

The saga involving a bridleway through the Llwynywormwood estate, Myddfai, has rumbled on for 14 years - including two public inquiries - with the route blocked off throughout this period.

Now Carmarthenshire Council has approved an application to divert bridleway 54/36, removing access for the public from the front of North Lodge.

This has infuriated residents, who claim that moving the path to a road will pose an increased and unacceptable risk to public safety.

Mike Whitby, of Round Lodge, Myddfai, told the Guardian: "This section of road, just 3.1m wide on a steep hill and a bend, is the narrowest point on the lane from Llandovery to Myddfai.

It is a well-known accident blackspot.

"Only last week, there was yet another accident outside North Lodge when a car was involved in a head-on collision with another vehicle coming down the hill.

"The air ambulance was called to take one of the injured to hospital.

"Thankfully, no walkers or horse riders were involved this time.

But in the future it is inevitable that it is going to happen. It is obvious to all local people who opposed this diversion order that it is an accident just waiting to happen.

Everyone just prays that it is not one of their family members that is involved."

Mr Whitby added: "The last attempt at a diversion order was defeated as the council agreed with local people that the proposed route was longer and exited onto the highway above the well-known choke point.

"But now they have reversed their prior decision.

"This diversion means that walkers and horse riders will have to use the narrow section of the road past North Lodge to access 54/36 with the possibility of being hit by a car or lorry as the road is only wide enough for one vehicle to pass.

"We have until March 4 to lodge individual appeals to the county council to get this diversion order scrapped."