Radyr and Morganstown Community Council, along with our excellent County Councillor, Rod McKerlich, have been working with Cardiff Council to develop a number of ideas with regard to road safety and highway improvements across our community. Indeed, Cllr McKerlich has been working hard on many of these ideas for many years with considerable success.

This work has resulted in the proposals to build three new zebra crossings along our main road; the closure of Golf Club Lane to traffic; proposals to install a section of pavement on Windsor Road - and, of course, Cardiff Council has recently consulted on its proposal to introduce a 20mph speed limit throughout Radyr and Morganstown (apart from Parc Radur, which will be included in a separate scheme, in due course).

We have also discussed, with Cardiff, possible improvements to the Station Road area. To this end, we have agreed to present Cardiff with ideas which could improve road safety at this location, whilst also improving Station Road's role as one of our community hubs.

In doing so, we are mindful of the fact that changes to the area would depend on Cardiff Council having funds available to undertake the work. Those funds could come from Plasdwr Section 106 money, or from other sources - but nothing can be guaranteed at this stage.

Even so, we see our role as presenting Cardiff Council with a vision for Station Road. It will be for Cardiff to decide whether or not to implement it.

We have today, therefore, invited residents and businesses located on, or near, Station Road, Windsor Crescent, King's Road and King's Avenue to respond to a number of ideas developed by the Community Council. These relate mainly to those roads  - as well as the approach to Radyr Station.

The proposals deal with parking, possible one-way systems, the use of Station Road by the community - and pedestrian safety near Radyr Station. 

Our initial survey has been sent only to residents and businesses directly affected by the proposal. Depending on the outcome of the initial survey (which closes at the end of February), we will then consider arranging a wider survey for Radyr and Morganstown residents.

​NB: If you live on any of the relevant streets, but haven't received a letter from us, please contact our office.

As always, we will keep you posted.

Update (3 March): the survey is now closed.

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.
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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].

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.

During our recent meeting with Cardiff Council, we were invited to develop (for consideration by Cardiff), proposals for improving Station Road and the surrounding area, to improve its role as a place for the community to meet, shop and socialise.

This could include introducing a one-way system, changes to parking, closure to traffic at specific times and more. 

This is all very exciting - and we will be consulting with residents about this in the near future.

​So please keep an eye out for more news about this!

During our recent meeting with Cardiff Council we were informed that the nextbikes station will be located outside McColl's on Station Road.

The station will be installed in the very near future.

The bike station will measure 7m by 2m (7m by 1 m without the bikes).

If this location proves to be unsuitable, the station can be moved quite easily.

Cardiff is also considering installing electric bikes at Radyr Station. Other locations may also be considered.

What is a nextbike? This is a system which rents bicycles for anyone who has downloaded the nextbikes app onto hir, or her, mobile. You can rent a bike from any nextbike station - and leave it at any other station. You can read more about nextbikes here.

This could be another useful resource for Radyr and Morganstown residents. For instance, you could go to town on the train - but fancy cycling home. Now you will be able to grab a nextbike and enjoy riding along the Taff Trail.

​We will have to see how the nextbikes look outside McColl's. Will they limit the room available for pedestrians? Let us know what you think after they are installed.

Following its recent consultation about the future of Golf Club Lane, Cardiff Council has taken the decision to close it to traffic.

A traffic regulatory order is being prepared by the Council (which will be issued for consultation, in due course).

​Start of works is expected in summer 2020.

Bollards will be placed at either end of the lane (which is not deemed suitable for emergency vehicles, even when the main road was blocked).

Golf Club Lane will certainly be safer for walkers as a result of this move - which could also reduce the use of Bryn Derwen as a rat-run.

​More road safety measures are being considered, of course, including a 20mph zone for Radyr and Morganstown.

You can read about all of the road safety ideas here.

We held another meeting with Cardiff Council's Head of Transportation on 10 September. It turned out to be a very positive meeting - and it was great to hear Cardiff officials saying how much they valued the close relationship they had developed with our community, through the work of Radyr and Morgantown Community Council - and its Road Safety Working group. Our thanks go, again, to Cllr Rod McKerlich (our County Councillor) for facilitating the meeting.

This is what we discussed:

• a positive response had been received to Cardiff's consultation on installing three new zebra crossings in R&M. These were now at detailed design stage. The work would go out to tender in October, with start of works planned for January / February 2020. These would be funded with £300k of Section 106 money, released early by Redrow Homes. They would be simple zebra crossings (not pelican crossings) since these would enable pedestrians to cross more quickly, compared to waiting for pelican lights to change.
• a survey had been undertaken on Windsor Road, at the bend where there is no pavement. Pavement design and layout was now at the design stage - to be followed by a consultation. Start of works could be around March 2020. The scheme could include parking restrictions on the bend.
• the 20mph zone (which would include all of R&M apart from Parc Radur) would require a traffic regulatory order. This was in the hands of Cardiff's lawyers - but the work would take some time, with consultation on the orders likely to take place in early 2020, with a 3 week response time. Objections were likely (most other 20mpg schemes had led to objections), so start of works on this (if it was to proceed, following the consultation) was likely to be spring / summer 2020. In the meantime , R&MCC could help prepare the local community for introduction of the zone.
• Cardiff agreed to include Heol Isaf and Ty Nant Road in its air quality monitoring programme, to evaluate the impact of road improvement works, including the 20mph zone.
• consultation with regard to the closure of Golf Club Lane had been completed - and the decision taken to take the process forward. As such, the traffic regulatory order was being prepared. Start of works was expected in summer 2020. Bollards would be placed at either end of the lane (which was not deemed suitable for emergency vehicles, even when the main road was blocked)
• it was agreed that Cardiff Council would carrying out an assessment of the junction of De Clare Drive and King's Road (at the roundabout by Radyr Station), to assess whether there is justification for highway improvement works. Any resultant scheme would be added to Cardiff's future programme to be ranked against all similar road safety schemes.  Any public consultation would be undertaken only when a suitable scheme had funding secured.
• it was agreed that Cardiff would consider measures that could be implemented to calm traffic along Bryn Derwen. In the meantime, the closure of Golf Club Lane could help, by removing traffic travelling along Bryn Derwen to use the lane as a rat run. It was noted that Bryn Derwen had been approved as a location for speed monitoring by local volunteers
• the Nextbikes station was to be located, in the near future, outside McColl's on Station Road. The bike station would measure 7m by 2m (7m by 1 m without the bikes). If this location proves to be unsuitable, the station could be moved quite easily. Cardiff was also considering installing electric bikes at Radyr Station. Reference was made to the Lime Bikes scheme in Vienna, where members of the public are paid for charging bikes in their homes, before replacing them on the street, for hire by registered users (https://www.li.me/about-us)
• it was agreed that R&MCC should develop, for consideration by Cardiff, proposals for improving Station Road and the surrounding area, to improve its role as a place for the community to meet, shop and socialise. This could include introducing a one-way system, changes to parking, closure to traffic at specific times and more. 
• reference was made to the prosed Coryton link, which would place a train station opposite Radyr Station, on the other side of the Taff. This could ease journeys east and west across the city - and encourage more people to use public transport
• Cardiff Council explained that the proposed park and ride schemes (near the M4 and on the A470) were experiencing delays - but these were still planned
• R&MCC explained that it was working with Sustrans to develop proposals with regard to safe cycling and walking. Cardiff explained that it was intending to work with Living Streets; although the focus would be the city centre, the principles involved could apply to R&M. In the meantime R&MCC could encourage residents to use public transport when travelling to the city centre
• R&MCC explained that it's Road Safety Working Group was developing place-making ideas, which would be presented to the community council in the near future
• Cardiff explained that a further £638k of Section 106 money had been earmarked for R&M, over and above the £300k released by Redrow (as described above). This would become available when house-builders' trigger points were reached. The total Section 106 money to be generated by the Plasdwr project was £25m.
• Cardiff explained that a white paper was to be submitted to Cardiff Council in the autumn, discussing key development projects across the capital, including the cross-rail scheme, park and ride facilities and active travel schemes. The estimated cost of these works was £1bn
• Cardiff agreed to arrange a meeting of all the agencies who could monitor and enforce the restrictions on HGV traffic through R&M. This would discuss strategies for ensuring better enforcement. Representatives from R&MCC would be invited to the meeting - and would provide a note, beforehand, setting out the extent of the problem and the outcome to be sought at the proposed meeting.

H O Jones
Chair
​Radyr and Morganstown Community Council