Radyr and Morganstown residents support a 20mph zone...

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:

Just over 63% agree with the 20mph zone

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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

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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.
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In other words, the principle that lower speed limits can be beneficial seems to be accepted by 72% of respondents.

Just over 72% would like a 20mph limit where they live

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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.

Almost 64% believe that no roads should be exempt from the limit

​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.

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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.

Just over 63% agree that all of the main road should be 20mph

​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

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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[NB: Following a claim on local social media that multiple responses from individual computers were possible, the results were analysed - and revealed that one respondent had submitted multiple identical responses at 2.00am on 15 January. All but one response from that respondent were removed - and steps taken to ensure that only one response per device could be submitted].

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[NB: With regard to pollution, Cardiff Council has installed air pollution monitors along the main road - and initial readings suggest that pollution levels are around 50% of the maximum permitted levels. If the 20mph zone is introduced, monitoring will continue - and could inform future action with regard to traffic management and pollution. In addition, the UK Government is considering bringing its 2040 ban on the sale of all new conventionally powered petrol and diesel cars forward to 2035. As such, we may well see the proportion of electric and hybrid cars on our roads increasing in the intervening period. This, along with the promised park-and-ride facilities on the outskirts of Cardiff; proposed restrictions on HGV vehicles - and an improved rail service, could help reduce air pollution levels. On the other hand, of course, Plasdwr may lead to more traffic passing through Radyr and Morganstown].

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