Thousands caught speeding on Swansea and Port Talbot roads — including one driver at 111mph in a 50 zone

More than 96,000 drivers were issued Notices of Intended Prosecution (NIPs) for speeding in South Wales over the past year — and several of the worst-affected roads are in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot.

Among the most striking figures was a driver clocked at 111mph on the M4 at Junction 41 Pentyla–Seaway Parade Bridge westbound, where the speed limit is just 50mph. The offence, recorded in January 2025, was one of the five worst speeding incidents in the region.

Gors Avenue among South Wales’ top speeding hotspots

In Swansea, Gors Avenue junction Dewi Terrace in Townhill saw 4,340 speeding offences recorded in 2024/25 — placing it third on the list of South Wales’ worst roads for speeding.

The stretch is home to a fixed speed camera and has been the subject of local campaigns to raise the limit back to 30mph. While part of Gors Avenue (between Townhill Road and Carmarthen Road) has since reverted to 30mph, the section where these offences were recorded remains at 20mph.

Other Swansea locations in the top 20 include:

• B4295 Swansea Road, Waunarlwydd – 3,702 NIPs
• Llangyfelach Road (junction Parkhill Road) – 3,295 NIPs
• Mumbles Road, Blackpill (westbound) – 1,174 NIPs

Each of these locations is monitored by fixed speed cameras. Llangyfelach Road, in particular, has seen controversy — with campaigners calling for the 20mph limit to be raised and a previous incident where the speed camera was cut down by vigilantes using an angle grinder. Police later offered a £1,000 reward for information about the attack.

VIDEO: Vigilantes cutting down the Llangyfelach Road speed camera

Top 20 roads for speeding offences in South Wales

M4 Port Talbot also among worst for speeding

The M4 westbound at Port Talbot recorded 1,526 speeding offences last year, placing it in the top 20. The stretch is monitored by a fixed camera and has long been a focus for enforcement due to high traffic volumes and safety concerns.

The data, compiled by Legal Expert using South Wales Police figures, shows a 57% increase in speeding notices compared to the previous year. In 2023/24, the force issued 61,390 NIPs. That figure rose to 96,368 in 2024/25 — equating to over £9.6 million in potential fines.

The worst speeding offence overall was 121mph on the A48 at Stormy Down, Bridgend — more than double the 50mph limit.

Worst recorded speeds in South Wales

Ynysforgan Roundabout named one of the UK’s most stressful junctions

A new study has revealed the most stressful road junctions for drivers, both in the UK and around the world – with Ynysforgan Roundabout in Swansea ranking among the top 10 in the UK and the top 20 worldwide! 

The study surveyed 1,000 UK drivers and asked them to rank road layouts based on the feelings of confusion, anxiety, fear and confidence that they felt after seeing images of the junctions from both a satellite and street view perspective. These responses were then used to build a unique ‘Stress Score’ out of 100 and reveal the road layouts that most drivers would rather avoid. 

The UK’s Most Stressful Junctions Revealed 

Among UK road layouts, London’s Hanger Lane Gyratory was rated the most stressful to navigate. One of the most complex and infamous junctions in the nation’s capital, the confusing layout, high accident rate and bottleneck for traffic make it one that many drivers would much rather avoid. 

The infamous Magic Roundabout in Swindon followed closely behind in second position, with a stress score of 42 out of 100. A multi-mini roundabout system, the roundabout is made up of five mini roundabouts arranged in a circle around a central island. Though the mini roundabouts are all driven in a standard clockwise movement, it is possible to navigate the central island in an anticlockwise direction.  

The World’s Most Stressful Junctions for Drivers 

Meskel Square Roundabout in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa is the junction that evokes the most stressed response among drivers, scoring 56 out of 100. Meskel Square is a major public space in the city but also connects some of the most major roads in the city, making it one of the busiest junctions too. Though it appears chaotic thanks to the lack of road markings, it’s reported to be a surprisingly functional junction, with drivers relying on intuition, eye contact and horn beeping as well as a healthy dose of mutual understanding. However, for any British drivers who are very used to traffic lights and road markings, it’s easy to see why it would be intimidating at a first look!

The Judge Harry Prengerson Roundabout in Los Angeles places in second spot, scoring 51 out of a possible 100 overall, just five points behind first place. With eight major traffic levels in a stacked multi-level formation that stands at more than 40 metres high, it’s quite the junction! It’s one of the few interchanges in the U.S. that offers full directional access, meaning that traffic entering in all directions, can also leave in all directions. Due to its size and layout, it can be quite nerve wracking for drivers to navigate, resulting in the high stress score.

Paris’ Arc de Triomphe roundabout follows in third, also scoring 51 on the Stress Score. Officially called the Place Charles de Gaulle, the roundabout is without doubt one of the most famous, and notorious, in the world. Found at the northwestern end of the Champs-Élysées, 12 major avenues all meet at this point, and similar to the Meskel Square roundabout, there are no road markings to allow vehicles to freely navigate their way through. To make matters more confusing, priority is given to the cars entering the roundabout rather than those already on it – the reverse of what we’re usually taught!

The Newark Airport Interchange in Newark, USA places in fourth spot, with Place de la Bastille Roundabout in Paris also making the top five with a score of 48.

Overall, European junctions make up half of the top 10, with three North American junctions also placing in the top flight. Japan’s iconic Shibuya Crossing places top for Asia, though in reality, it may be easier for drivers to navigate than expected, thanks to the 90-second window that allows traffic to flow, before the strict pedestrian-only phase.

Matt Clamp, Customer Service Manager at Scrap Car Comparison, commented: “Driving through unfamiliar junctions can rattle even the most experienced motorists. Junctions often combine high traffic volumes, poor signage and confusing layouts, making preparation essential. 

“Our advice? Start by planning ahead, tools such as Street View or route planners can help you visualise the road before you set off. Once you’re behind the wheel, try to get into the correct lane early by watching for signs and markings. If you start to feel overwhelmed, take a breath and don’t let other road users rush you – it’s perfectly okay to go at your own pace. 

“Always signal clearly and confidently to show your intentions, especially if you need to change lanes. And if you’re really nervous, consider driving at quieter times of day when the roads are less busy. A little preparation can go a long way in turning a potentially stressful drive into a safe and confident journey.” 

Plans for new M4 service station submitted to Bridgend planners

The development would be just to the south of the junction 37 interchange, alongside the A4229.

The proposed drive-through restaurants could include a McDonald’s, Greggs and a Starbucks or Costa, along with seating areas and toilet facilities. These would be in three separate buildings rather than the more integrated services stations seen on other parts of the motorway network.

The development would be accessed by a new road off the A4229.

With regards the proposed new petrol station, planning documents say that “notwithstanding government policy to phase out the sale of new petrol/diesel cars by 2030, there will continue to be demand, albeit reducing, for petrol/diesel sales for a further 15 years or so after that.”

“To cater for future changes, the PFS will have a large number of electric charging stations from the outset, and there is currently a significant under-provision off these along this stretch of the M4.

“The operator also envisages increasing the number of charging points as electric cars become more popular, and in turn reducing the number of petrol pumps, in line with the take up of electric private vehicles by the public.

“Depending on future developments in HGV propulsion, provision for hydrogen tanks to replace diesel in the medium to long term is also feasible.”

Draycott Group, who are behind the plans, recently completed a similar development in St Clears off the A40 trunk road between Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.

The St Clears development was initially refused by Carmarthenshire planners, but granted on appeal by Welsh Government planning inspectors.

Initial pre-application discussions with Bridgend County Borough Council on the proposed Pyle development were “negative” according to the latest submission, but the developer pointed out that all of the same arguments that the planning inspector gave for approving the St Clears scheme would also apply to Pyle.

The developers say they are willing to construct a car-sharing or park and ride facility at Junction 37 if the council is willing to run it.

Planning documents say: “During the course of the previous discussions, the developer, in response to comments as to J37 being a car-sharing location, indicated a preparedness to include land either as a car-sharing facility or P&R.

“Moreover, the developer would be prepared to fund/develop such a facility, on the basis that it would then be leased to the Council to operate. It is understood that the proposed P&R facility at Pyle has failed to attract funding, although it remains an objective for the Council.

“Should the Council not be interested in promoting such a facility at this site, or does not feel that it could be successfully operated, then the developer would not propose pursuing the matter alone.”

The proposals will now be decided by Bridgend County Borough Council’s planning department.