Call to action over drain cover thefts
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is urging residents to be on their guard and report suspicious activity as it counts the cost of a recent incident in which drain covers along the A4119 were stolen.
The authority is furious at the mindless actions of thieves who put lives at risk when they stole drain covers along the length of the A4119, including stretches of the road that has a 60mph speed limit.
As well as the danger the thieves presented to road users and the wider community – and the inconvenience they caused as the thefts required an immediate road closure – it is estimated the total cost of the incident, including replacement covers, man hours and the resources needed to close the road, is £6,000.
The money needed to replace the covers has had to come out of the Highways Maintenance Budget, which means less cash to spare for schemes such as repairing roads and footways or improving drainage.
As the repair work continues, so do investigations into those behind the thefts on November 4 and 5, including the interrogation of CCTV images.
A public appeal has been made for information, and for those who see suspicious activity in the future to make contact with the police immediately.
Thefts occurred in, Llantrisant Business Park, behind the Royal Mint, Brooks Terrace in Trebanog, the road to Ty Elai off the A4119, on the A4119 bypass between the Williamstown roundabout and the Trebanog link roundabout, Ty Elai industrial estate, road to The Pavilions Council office in Clydach Vale, Edmonstown Road in Trebanog, A4222 Trebanog Link Road, A4114 Tonypandy Bypass near Gelli Road, Collena Road in Tonyrefail and Penrhiwfer Road in Tonyrefail.
Cllr Andrew Morgan, Cabinet Member for Transport and Customer Care, said: “We are shocked and angered by these thefts.
“Not only were lives put at risk by the removal of drain covers on a busy road but we, and, ultimately, the taxpayer, will suffer financially as we find the funds to put the situation right.
“We are continuing our investigations in partnership with the police and need residents with information to make contact with the police immediately.
“We also need people to be vigilant and report suspicious activity.”
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Content authorised by: Marketing & Communications Team
Last revised on: 18/11/2009