Earlier this year we received a number of complaints from residents who thought that blasting at the Cemex Quarry had caused vibration at their homes. We reported on how the quarry would work, in future, to ensure that disruption would be kept to a minimum.

We met with Cemex this week. They showed us where blasting had taken place on the day people complained -  and the direction that the blast had been laid. 

They then showed us where the next blasting had taken place - and the direction of the blast. They explained that since we drew their attention to residents' concerns about the blasting, they had placed vibrographs in Morganstown to measure vibrations - and the readings were almost zero.

They offered to come and talk with the council and residents, to explain how they are trying to make sure that Morganstown is not affected by their work.

They also have woods that they manage - and they are willing to organise a visit to the woods, with an expert who can explain about tree and nature management on the land owned by the quarry. 

​Please let us know, by contacting us here, if  you would like to meet with Cemex - or if you would like to visit the woodland that the company manages. The meeting - and the woodland visit - would probably take place during the working day. 

As we reported here, we recently asked Plasdwr for a 'lessons learned' response, arising from the serious inconvenience caused to residents in recent weeks - along with plans for how they will seek to minimise disruption in future.

This is their response (and we are grateful to Pladsdwr for providing it so promptly):


The works taking place along Llantrisant Road are complex as there are a number of different elements involved, particularly beneath the road surface. An entirely new utilities infrastructure – gas, water, electricity, sewers, and telecommunications – is being installed to serve Plasdŵr as well as highway drainage. During these works, we have also encountered unforeseeable complications such as existing, uncharted utility infrastructure underground, which have caused unavoidable delays.  
 
“The nature of these works requires us to work within the carriageway, resulting in single lane traffic. This requires 24hr traffic lights which inevitably causes disruption. While unavoidable, we remain absolutely committed to reducing this disruption and so have been working very closely with Cardiff Council and our contractor, Alun Griffiths, to look at better and safer ways to control traffic at peak times.
 
“The challenge remains ensuring access to Llantrisant Road from Heol Isaf, Clos Parc Radur and Danescourt. Following feedback, we introduced manual lights to the west of the Heol Isaf roundabout during peak times (normally 06:30-09:00 and 15:30-19:00).
 
“While this has had a positive impact for Heol Isaf, traffic has continued to block the roundabouts at Clos Parc Radur and Danescourt. In response to this, we are currently trialling additional road signs asking motorists to be considerate and not block the roundabouts. Alun Griffiths are monitoring traffic flow at peak times each day and we’re making adjustments where we can to ease congestion, maintain a balance and keep traffic moving as much as possible. This monitoring will continue.
 
“We have continually talked to the local community regarding Plasdŵr generally and traffic management specifically via regular drop-in sessions, monthly update e-bulletins and via our own channels. What we have learned over the past few weeks is that people want far more detailed information from us on the planned works. We have shared that detail and will be more proactive in sharing the detail of future works.”
 
Wayne Rees, Plasdŵr Project Director


Do you think these adjustments and improvements will ease congestion? Let us know what you think, below.

Just in case you haven't been to Station Road recently - we can confirm that the nextbike station has been installed - and the bikes have arrived.

Here's a photo showing how the system works.

Let us know what you think. Have you used them? Any good?

Just an update from Plasdwr about future roadworks. As we reported here, we have asked Plasdwr for a 'lessons learned' report, arising from the serious inconvenience caused to residents in recent weeks - along with plans for how they will seek to minimise disruption in future.

Here is Plasdwr's news:

The works around the Llantrisant Road junction with Heol Isaf are complex and will therefore be ongoing until summer 2020. They include road widening to incorporate a bus lane and cycleway, totally new utility infrastructure, drainage works and then the permanent traffic lights.

The associated traffic management systems in place during the works will vary according to what is being done at the time. We are working closely with Cardiff Council to get the work done as swiftly as possible given the inevitable disruption which, we understand, is very frustrating for road-users. 

These are part of a wider plan for Llantrisant Road and the next phase of works will be between Clos Parc Radur and Goitre Fach including road widening for the new bus lane and the construction of two new junctions.

The reasons for these roadworks are rooted in Cardiff Council’s strategy to ensure that people can choose to walk, cycle and use public transport rather than drive. In line with that, the network within Plasdŵr has been planned so that walking, cycling and public transport will be the easiest ways to get around. For existing, neighbouring roads, we are delivering transport improvements also in line with that strategy as part of our community contributions, and the works on Llantrisant Road are part of those. 

For more information on the full scope of works for Llantrisant Road, please see Cardiff Council’s North West Transport Corridor document here.

We've had a great response to our survey about Taff Housing Association's plans to build 45 new homes in an area which is currently a woodland. We received 111 responses to our survey - including 70 comments about the proposals.

We covered the story here.

This is what you told us:

• 57% of respondents walk through these woods at leat once a week.
• 98% of respondents don't think that these houses should be built
• 98% think that the woodland should be preserved.

And you had plenty of comments to offer.

All of these results have been sent to Philippa Cole, the planning consultant undertaking the pre-application consultation on behalf of Taf Housing. We've asked her to confirm that your views will be included in her report, following the consultation.

Here, in more detail is what you told us - click here to see the pdf file.

This just now from Cardiff Council:

We met with the Network Management Team early this morning regarding the road works on Llantrisant Road. As you know, the current traffic delays are entirely due to the temporary traffic lights - installed for the necessary drainage works - required on a  24/7 basis in support of your development.
 
The traffic management is being monitored on a daily basis and particularly during peak times. We too are naturally keen to keep any disruption to an absolute minimum and it is unfortunate that problems were exacerbated earlier today because of a broken down car. That said, and to assist, we are now proposing  a modified plan to include an additional temporary traffic control unit on Llantrisant Road – placed further back on the southbound access leg to the roundabout junction with Heol Isaf. It is considered that this will allow more opportunity for Heol Isaf traffic to the egress onto  Llantrisant Road (a.m. peak),  in a more orderly and equitable way.
 
We plan to test this alternative modification tomorrow morning and our respective colleagues are putting this into action immediately.

Hot off the press from Plasdwr. Let's hope this works!

Plasdwr Statement:

​We understand the huge amount of frustration the works at the junction of Heol Isaf and Llantrisant Road have caused, and apologise for how people have been affected. We have been working very closely with Cardiff Council and our contractor, Alun Griffiths, to look at better and safer ways to control traffic at peak times.

From this afternoon Alun Griffiths are introducing manually controlled traffic lights 20 to 30 metres to the west of the roundabout at peak times. These will be responsive to traffic flow and ensure, for example, that traffic from Radyr can get onto Llantrisant Road more easily.

When they are red, they will free up Heol Isaf traffic to move onto Llantrisant Road; when green, traffic from Heol Isaf will need to give way at the roundabout as normal, allowing traffic to clear from the west of the roundabout.

The lights will be operated at peak times between 3.30pm and 7.00pm and 6.30am and 9.30am weekdays. Work will also continue at the weekend on the dawn to dusk basis and we will monitor traffic flow and use the manually operated lights if required on Saturdays and Sundays.

The contractor, Alun Griffiths, has also doubled the number of workers on the junction so that we can complete more quickly.

We anticipate these arrangements being in place for the next three weeks and are aiming to reintroduce traffic lights operating between 9.30 to 3.30 from week commencing 9 December.

We apologise for the inconvenience and frustrations caused and will continue to closely monitor the situation and make any safe and effective adjustments we can.

Here is a statement from our County Councillor, Rod McKerlich, outlining the steps he has taken to try and mitigate the traffic problems experienced at the Heol Isaf / Llantrisant Road junction:

Traffic Lights to east of junction of Heol Isaf and LLantrisant Road

Permission to operate temporary traffic lights is, rightly or wrongly, a matter where the local County Councillor has no formal voice. It is determined by a meeting of council officers, the contractor and the developer. I made several suggestions on the need to prevent the roundabout being blocked by queuing traffic coming from the west; I also questioned the hours of work, particularly as they are almost non–existent at weekends when traffic is light. I suggested doing the work in school holidays and asked for consultation with nearby residents to see if 24 hour working could minimise the duration of the work. As the scheme was approved in its current form, I pointed out that little traffic was able to exit from Heol Isaf onto the roundabout; I demanded an arrangement to control the queues from the west as these were blocking access to the roundabout. This was done and traffic movement from Heol Isaf improved.

This week the contractor stopped deploying the man who controlled traffic from the west. I was not either consulted or informed; I have informed council officers of the consequent huge delays in traffic movement and I have sent them a selection of the huge number of justified complaints I have received. I was told, unofficially, that the traffic controller was removed on grounds of safety. Since then, I have requested an alternative system to ensure that traffic coming from the west is constrained to queue west of the roundabout. I was advised that a meeting arranged for today, 14th November, would resolve matters. Failing a workable solution, I will demand that Cardiff Council revokes the permission to operate temporary lights.

I make two supplementary points:

• It is lamentable that the local County Councillor is not formally consulted over such major traffic issues; this means that no voice is permitted to represent the local population who suffer the predictable huge delays. 
• Despite wild allegations to the contrary, I opposed the local development plan (LDP) at all stages and in every possible way; in this, support came from many local people and organisations such as R+MCC and RMA. The LDP was forced through by the ruling Labour Party in Cardiff Council, urged on by the ruling Labour Party in the Assembly.

County Councillor Rod McKerlich, 7am on Thursday 14th November

PS: As I write this, I can see traffic queuing from past the centre of Radyr aiming for the roundabout.

According to the Cardiff Third Sector Council (C3SC), there are many groups, projects and activities taking place in our communities that are beneficial to health and wellbeing.  The Council wants to find out what is happening in areas across Cardiff, build awareness and encourage people to make full use of what is available in their communities.  

You can help them with this process, by attending  their Let's Talk event at Radyr Comprehensive School between 10.00am and 12.00pm on Saturday, 23 November. 

You can also take part in their online survey, here.

Want to know more? You can contact C3SC on 029 2048 5722.

What is C3SC?

Cardiff Third Sector Council (C3SC) is the County Voluntary Council for Cardiff – the umbrella infrastructure organisation for the third sector in the City. C3SC’s key role is to provide specialist advice, support, and information to local third sector organisations on issues that affect them, including funding and governance.

C3SC is the voice of the third sector in Cardiff.