Following several comments on local social media and on Wales Online about a loud bang heard across north Cardiff yesterday afternoon (30 January), we have received this from Cemex, the operators of the Taffs Well Quarry:

"Just keeping you updated after a number of complaints and reports of unusual effects from blasting at Taffs Well Quarry reported within the press.
 
We have responded to the press and the individuals who have raised their concerns. We are undertaking a thorough examination of the circumstances. It goes without saying that we take extremely seriously any concerns from the local community in relation to our activities. We do our best to be a good neighbour and will continue to do so.
 
Without wishing to prejudice the ongoing investigation into these recent events, it appears that the weather conditions prevailing may have contributed to the effects experienced. Low cloud can result in ‘air over pressure’ where the blast can be reflected. The examination of the meteorological conditions will obviously form part of our detailed investigation and we will endeavour to report back to all our stakeholders in due course".

We will keep you posted.

Our survey seeking views about Cardiff Council's proposal to create a 20mph zone throughout Radyr and Morganstown (apart from Parc Radur) has now closed.

We received 454 responses - and here are the main results:

The majority of those who responded support the introduction of the speed limit. The survey showed that 286 people agreed - and 164 people disagreed:

Comments about the zone included:

• Speeding is a serious problem in Radyr. I've seen cars doing nearly 40mph on Heol Isaf and not stopping at zebra crossings.
• This has to happen, so many cars go too fast along Heol Isaf, the pavements are very narrow and the sheer volume of traffic makes crossing the road very difficult.
• Absolutely; we live in a residential area with many community amenities  For our next next generation we need to create an environment that feels safe and allows for use of bicycles and encourages people to walk more. This ticks some major boxes: sustainability, community, health & wellbeing.
• The speed is far in excess of even 30mph. Dropping it down to 20mph and adding more crossings and safety measures for all residents will make it far safer for all.
• R&M is currently not pedestrian or cyclist friendly and frankly dangerous as used as an extension to the A470.
• 30 mph is fine. 20 is silly. Enforce the current speed limit, don’t impose a ridiculous one
• I think that this is too slow for many of the roads. You almost have to constantly brake. This surely pollutes with noise and extra emissions.
• Definitely not. It'd be too slow

An even greater majority of those who responded support the introduction of a 20mph speed limit on the road where they live. The survey showed that 325 people agreed - and 122 people disagreed. 

This may suggest that people agree that lower speed limits can be justified - and can bring benefits to residents - although they may be keener to see those limits introduced outside their homes than outside other people's homes.
​ 
In other words, the principle that lower speed limits can be beneficial seems to be accepted by 72% of respondents.

Most respondents believe that none of the roads in Radyr and Morganstown should be exempt from the speed limit. The survey showed that 235 people think that no road should be exempt - as opposed to 134 people who think that some roads should be exempt.

​Comments about possible exemptions included:

• All Roads should be 20mph. That way it's more straightforward and less confusing for inattentive drivers
• Only a simple and consistent rule will work.
• These are very built up villages, I can't think of any road in Radyr or Morganstown that would be safe for cars to be traveling over 20.
• The main road, Heol Isaf, should be 20 mph - it’s very unsafe for children walking to school.
• We walk and cycle on all our streets.
• I see no reason for this area to continue to be dominated by cars - and anything that makes walking and cycling more pleasant is to be welcomed
• All roads should be 30 MPH unless there is a decent majority to the contrary.
• The main road going through Morganstown and Radyr should stay as 30mph
• All main roads should remain at 30, so as to ensure reduced pollution and flow of traffic. 20mph zones focus on drivers staring at the dashboard as opposed to full focus on the road.

Continuing with the same theme, most respondents believe that the entire length of the main road should be subject to a 20mph speed limit. The survey showed that 286 people agreed with this view - as opposed to 164 who disagreed.

​Comments about this included:

• Speak to the people who walk from Morganstown to one of the 3 schools and ask what it’s like walking Heol Isaf
• Perhaps not the bit between Radyr and Morganstown (under motorway bridge) but I understand it’s cheaper to have 20 the whole way and will dissuade excessive traffic using Radyr as a high speed access to Cardiff
• It would reduce the attractiveness of the village as a commuter route to/from Cardiff, M4 etc
• It is very intimidating being a pedestrian or cyclist on Heol Isaf. Now try being 1m tall with cars whizzing past you on narrow pavements.
• Absolutely essential. Narrow pavements and speeding vehicles, including HGVs, mean it's only a matter of time before someone is killed.
• Heol Isaf is intimidating for pedestrians, cyclists, the young, the elderly and the disabled. 20mph will rebalance this situation, so the road can be shared more equally between local motorist, commuters, the local community and residents. A 20mph limit will lower the number of Sat Nav drivers coming off the A470 to rat-run into Cardiff. We could have walking buses taking pupils to school. None of these are possible whilst we continue at the mercy of the internal combustion engine.
• Possibly not the section between the M4 motorway bridge and the top of the hill
• Only a small area by the High School crossing should be 20mph. The rest of the road should all be 30mph.
• Only the built up parts, past churches and the High Street and especially past Radyr Comp

When also asked a series of questions:

• 71% agreed that a 20mph limit would be safer for pedestrians and cyclists
• 68% believe that a 20mph limit can improve life on residential streets
• 81% said that they would comply with a 20mph limit

• 53% said they would undertake active travel more frequently within a 20mph zone
• 51% said they believed 20mph would lead to less congestion

• 54% said that they did not think that a 20mph speed limit would lead to an increase in air pollution.

Here is the age breakdown of respondents:

The lowest support for a 20mph zone was amongst 25 to 34 year olds. Support is fairly constant between the ages of 35 and 64. It falls away slightly between 65 and 74 - and increases significantly at age 75 and over. 

Here's the gender breakdown of respondents:

Not only were the number of respondents split almost equally between male and female - there was hardly any difference of opinion between the genders with regard to the proposed 20mph zone.

[NB: Parc Radur may be included in a future 20mph zone proposal].

In its meeting on 23 January the Community Council agreed to award a grant of £526.80 to the Bryn Deri Primary School PTA, towards the cost of a cabinet to safely store the new defibrillator to be located at the school.

Commenting on the grant award, council Chair, Huw Onllwyn Jones, said:

'I am very proud to announce that we, as a council, have been able to support the installation of this new defibrillator. These machines can save lives - and it's great to know that we now have a number of them installed across Radyr and Morganstown - including, of course, the ones located at Radyr Medical Centre and at the optician's shop on Station Road'.

St John Wales offers defibrillator training for anyone wanting to know how to use the devices - and possible save a life. You can find out more here.

A defibrillators is an electronic device that applies an electric shock to restore the rhythm of a fibrillating heart. In atrial fibrillation, the heart rate is irregular and can sometimes be very fast. In some cases, it can be considerably higher than 100 beats a minute.

In its meeting on 23 January the Community Council agreed to award a grant of £498 to Radyr Golf Club, to help pay for some 'Tri-Golf' teaching equipment (such as nets, clubs and targets) to help ensure that younger children can have a taste of the sport - and hopefully become fully fledged players in future. 

In addition, a grant of £1,000 was awarded to Radyr Cricket Club to help with the costs of indoor junior winter nets for their players aged between 8 and 14.

We also awarded a grant of £440 towards the costs of Bryn Deri and Radyr Primary Schools Orchestra and Choir.

Commenting on the grant awards, council Chair, Huw Onllwyn Jones, said:

'It is great that we can support these two, excellent clubs, as they seek to provide our young people with training to learn and improve golfing and cricketing skills.

I'm also very happy that we have been able to support the Bryn Deri and Radyr Primary Schools Orchestra and Choir.

Maybe the Ben Stokes' and Virginia Wades of the future will start their paths to glory thanks to their time with our fantastic cricket and golf clubs! Not forgetting, of course, the next Pavarotti...!

In its meeting on 23 January the Community Council agreed to award a grant of £1,800 to the Radyr and Morganstown Association to help pay for the costs of:

• St John's Ambulance cover for the Fun Run to be held on Saturday, the 2nd of May
• A special VE Day Commemoration Concert in the Park (at Drover's Way) on Friday, the 8th of May.

Commenting on the grant award, council Chair, Huw Onllwyn Jones, said:

"I am delighted that we can, once again, support Radyr and Morganstown's fabulous May Festival. The RMA undertakes an astonishing amount of work in arranging the festival - and I know that they will raise a huge amount of money for this year's charity, Tenovus. 

The Concert in the Park will be extra special this year - as it combines the usual, excellent entertainment with some special features as part of the commemorations to celebrate 75 years since VE Day. 

I am also pleased that we can help with the Fun Run. This is a great event for families - and I look forward to seeing young and old running to keep fit - and helping with the fundraising.

We can be justly proud of our festival - and I urge all who live in Radyr and Morganstown to attend as many events as possible. It's all very good fun - and you will be supporting a very good cause".

Tenovus helps fund cancer research and provides services to help people with cancer. You can read more about them here.

VE Day celebrates Victory in Europe, at the end of the Second World War. You can read more here.

And you will be able read all about the Radyr and Morganstown festival here.

We have previously reported that Cardiff Council has agreed to build three new tabled zebra crossings in Radyr and Morganstown (near Heol Syr lewis, Ty Mynydd Close and Rectory Close).

We met with Cardiff Council recently, to discuss traffic issues. During the meeting, Cardiff explained that the work to install our new zebra crossings was out to tender, with an aim of getting on-site in April / May.

This will help slow traffic and make our main road safer.

One problem, however, might be a shortage of contractor capacity, given the number of large projects underway in Cardiff, such as the Plasdwr project.

We will keep you posted.

We have today received an invitation from Cardiff Council to draw attention to their consultation on their budget for 2020/21. We are happy to do so - and if you wish to take part in this process, you can see the consultation documents:

• in Welsh, here:  www.caerdydd.gov.uk/cyllideb
  
• in English, here: www.cardiff.gov.uk/budget
  

The consultation has already launched and closes on 31st January so Cardiff has provided us with quite a tight schedule.
Cardiff Council is keen to emphasise, however, that the results of the survey are key in the planning and delivery of council and partner services. 

Paper copies available for the budget consultation are available from Cardiff Council. Questions or requests for hard copies can also be addressed to [email protected].  

Active travel is good for our health and the environment.

Did you know that Cycle Training Wales refurbishes bikes with both new and used parts? The bikes come from Cardiff Council's recycling centres or are donated by the public. As well as being carefully repaired, all the bikes are given a thorough pre-delivery inspection by a qualified mechanic before going on sale.

All sale bikes come with a three-month warranty against faults and defects. Note that Cycle Training Wales is unable to warranty bikes against punctures or damage arising from misuse.

This page has the details of available bikes - for children and adults. Adult bikes are currently available from £60; kids from £20.

Founded in 2007, Cycle Training Wales aims to promote the benefits of cycling through education and other activities. It is a leading provider of cycle training in schools, and has also trained many of the local authority instructors in Wales. From its base in Cardiff, it also runs its award-winning bike recycling and repair workshop.

'Active travel' means making journeys by physically active means, like walking or cycling. These are usually short journeys, like walking to the shops, walking the kids to school, cycling to work, or cycling to the station to catch a commuter train.

In recent months, volunteers have been turning up at Radyr Library to help with litter picking across our community.

They have done excellent work - and we can all be thankful to them for helping keep our streets free from rubbish.

​Now we need three volunteers willing to ensure that this important work continues. As such, it is proposed that the next litter pick be followed by a cuppa in the library - and a brief discussion about the future of the scheme.

Are you free next Monday morning? Are you keen to help keep our streets free from litter? Do you want to make new friends and enjoy some fresh air as you help the litter-picking team?

If so, please pop along to the library at 10.00am - and be a local hero!

Our thanks also goes to Redrow for helping to sponsor this work.

Last week we broke the news that Cardiff Council is consulting about their proposal to turn almost the whole of Radyr and Morganstown into a 20mph zone.

What do you think about this proposal?

Let us know by taking part in our short survey, here!