With Covid, the cold weather - and dark nights, it helps sometimes to remember that we live in a great part of Cardiff.

Just to remind us of this, here are some photographs taken during yesterday's snow. With thanks to the Golf Club which continues to welcome the public as they enjoy the public rights of way that cross the golf course.

​Stay safe!

Motorists will have to bid a fond farewell to Golf Club Lane, which has now been closed to traffic (except for Golf Club vehicles needing access to its storage facility at the north end of the lane - etc)

Road closure signs are in place, which will shortly be followed by bollards. Although this may inconvenience some drivers, it has become increasingly clear that this narrow, twisting road is unsuitable for traffic - and that cars using the lane present a danger to pedestrians and golfers. As such, we welcome this move (a position that was supported by an online survey we published in 2019, where 60% of respondents favoured closure).

Transport for Wales Proposals; Survey report

Headline

The majority of respondents believe that the potential benefits of the scheme (such as more trains and better facilities for the Radyr Rangers) will justify the disturbance the community is likely to face during the two-year construction period.

Introduction

Following Transport for Wales' recent announcement with regard to electrification works that would affect Radyr and Morganstown residents, we arranged an online survey to find out what our community thinks about the proposals.

You can read more about the survey - and TfW's proposals, here.

The survey asked for your opinions about the negative aspects of the scheme (such as noise and traffic) and possible positive aspects (such as more frequent trains and improved facilities for the Radyr Rangers). The main survey results are discussed below.

Survey Administration

The survey was opened on 24 November 2020. It was advertised on the R&MCC and RMA websites, the Radyr Chain and on local social media sites.

As of 9 December, a total of 220 responses had been received.

These included 118 responses from Morganstown residents who recorded that they live near the proposed Morganstown compound - and 24 from Radyr residents who recorded that they live near near the proposed Radyr compound.

There were 104 responses from people who claim to live near the railway (this could be anywhere alongside the railway lines that traverse R&M).

Key Summary of Responses

The majority of respondents believe that the potential benefits of the scheme (such as more trains and better facilities for the Radyr Rangers) will justify the disturbance the community is likely to face during the two-year construction period.

This is true for all respondents (53% yes, 25% no, 21% not sure) as well as those who record that they live near the proposed compounds.

For all respondents, the ratio is 2:1 in favour of the benefits. For Morganstown residents it is 5:3 in favour (49% yes, 29% no, 21% not sure).

Noise at night is the main concern, with 70% of Morganstown residents concerned or extremely concerned about this. Noise during the day - and lights at night - are also of concern.

Most respondents feel that TfW should offer direct support for those affected by the works, with strong support for double / triple glazing, blackout blinds and financial compensation.

There is no clear majority in favour of moving either compound. Morganstown residents being 50% in favour of moving - and 49% content for it to be in Morganstown. There is even less support for moving the Radyr compound (34% in favour, 65% against).

There is significant support for improvements that would benefit the Radyr Rangers (78% support for better pitches and 78% support for improved facilities). 64% agree that a new clubhouse should include a space for wider community use (suggestions include family events, youth clubs, yoga classes, a meeting space for local groups and organisations, barbecues and social events, indoor sports, parent / toddler groups. A playground for children was also suggested).

79% would welcome improving the access road to the Mound field - and 59% would welcome more car-parking spaces.

85% support improving the presentation of the ancient monument at the Mound field.

On completion of the TfW works, 64% would like to see it return to a 'green space' and 52% would support a second pitch for the Radyr Rangers. Only 2% support building houses on the site.

67% agree that the pedestrian crossing will be unsafe, as more trains travel along the railway. 55% agree that a bridge is therefore needed - with a fairly even split between those who think the bridge should be suitable for vehicles (36%) and 40% who do not.

57% of Morganstown residents would use a Morganstown train halt.

Key Data

In the following section, all percentage points have been rounded up or down. 

All of the following refer to the total number of responses received, except when specific references to responses from Morganstown or Radyr residents are included (these are residents who recorded that they live near the compounds).

With regard to noise during the day:

15% extremely concerned
31% concerned
53% not concerned

Morganstown

19% extremely concerned
31% concerned
48% not concerned

Radyr

4% extremely concerned
43% concerned
52% not concerned

With regard to noise at night:

40% extremely conceder
29% concerned
30% notnot concerned

Morganstown

43% extremely concerned
27% concerned
29% not concerned

Radyr

47% extremely concerned
43% concerned
8% not concerned

With regard to night-time light pollution

21% extremely concerned
25% concerned
53% not concerned

Morganstown

25% extremely concerned
24% concerned
49% not concerned

Radyr

13% extremely concerned
30% concerned
56% not concerned

With regard to direct support from TfW for residents affected by noise and light

79% agree direct support should be offered 
20% do not agree

Morganstown

77% agree direct support should be offered 
22% do not agree

Radyr

87% agree direct support should be offered 
13% do not agree

What type of support should be offered?

60% double / triple glazing
55% blackout blinds
61% Financial compensation

Should the Morganstown compound be located elsewhere?

43% yes
56% no

Morganstown

50% yes
49% no

Should the Radyr compound be located elsewhere?

34% yes
65% no

Radyr Rangers better pitches

78% welcome 

Radyr Rangers better facilities


78% welcome

Morganstown

77% welcome

Should these facilities include space for wider community use?

64% agree
22% we already have enough community space

Morganstown

66% agree 
21% we already have enough community space

Improved access to the Mound Field

79% useful
10% not important

Car parking

59% more needed
39% stay the same

Improve the mound

85% good idea

Use of Mound Field on completion of the works

64% green space 
52% second pitch
2% housing 

New bridge

67% crossing will be unsafe
55% agree bridge is necessary
36% bridge for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists
40% pedestrians and cyclists only

Diversion of iron bridge

57% happy
22% unhappy

Radyr

52% unhappy
17% happy

Increased number of trains

51% welcome 
43% use train more often 

Radyr

48% welcome
21% use train. re often

Morganstown halt

48% would use
52% would not

Morganstown

57% would use 
42% would not

Are the potential benefits worth the disruption?

53% yes
25% no 
21% not sure

Morganstown

49% yes
29% no 
21% not sure

Radyr

52% yes 
21% no
26% not sure

Next steps:

In its meeting on 16 December the Community Council agreed agreed the following:

• The concerns of Morganstown residents are an important consideration for the Community Council. The impact on Radyr Rangers will also be an issue for the Community Council to take into account.
• The Community Council does not yet have a full understanding of the Transport for Wales plans and more research is needed before Council can come to a view.
• Following further work and a meeting with Transport for Wales, Planning Committee will report back to Full Council in the New Year.
• Planning Committee will look out for any planning application that is made by Transport for Wales to Cardiff Council that sets out final proposals for Gelynis Bridge and the compounds.

Here are the questions we sent to TfW. We await their answers:

Here are some more details from our survey:

Having promised once not to close the Gwaelod-y-Garth sorting office, the enclosed letter strongly suggests that it will do so, early in the New Year.

Readers will remember that the office closed in early 2020, following serious flooding. Since then we have urged the Royal Mail to reopen the Gwaelod office - but it would seem that our plea fell on deaf ears. Our letter to them is copied, below.

In the meantime, this is the advice they gave to Cllr Rod McKerlich:

Royal Mail: “Should one your constituents not be at home when we attempt to deliver an item first time, we do attempt to deliver to a neighbour. However, if this is not possible I would like to reassure you that customers do not have to visit a Customer Service Point to collect these items if they are not able to or do not wish to do so. Customers can arrange a redelivery free of charge on a day that is convenient for them (including Saturdays), or Royal Mail can deliver the item to a different address within the same postcode area. This service can be arranged by calling the number on the “Something for You” card we leave or by visiting www.royalmail.com/redelivery.”

Closure of the Gwaelod office will not be a good day for Radyr and Morganstown residents. 

In the meantime, we have once again asked Mark Drakeford and Kevin Brennan if they can help keep the office open.

We will also be writing to the Royal Mail asking how they could defend such a decision based on any test of providing good, convenient customer services.

With Christmas over - it's time to say goodbye to our Christmas trees.

And there's a convenient way to do so, which will see your tree recycled and composted by Cardiff Council.

​All you need to do is to leave your tree outside your house for collection on Monday, 11 January. Be sure to remove all the decorations first!

You can also leave your green, garden waste wheelie-bin outside for collection on 11 January.

The results are in!

Our first ever Christmas lights competition drew a healthy number of entries - and our judges had some fun discussing the merits of each one - and agreeing who should win.

And the winners are:

First prize of £50: this goes to Jason Fowler of Clos Ysgallen in Morganstown. Congratulations Jason, for a display which the judges found to be full of colour and fun - a delight for children of all ages - and a perfect antidote to the gloom and doom we've all suffered during 2020. A cheque for £50 will be winging its way to Jason!

The second prize of £30 goes to Gill Clarke of St Philbert's Street in Radyr. 'Gill's display was enchanting' said the judges 'A mix of magical reindeer, candy-lights and a window full of colourful Christmas scenes'. 

The third prize of £20 goes to Stanley Thomas, of Green Place, Radyr. 'Stanley's clever use of his topiary bushes and elegant, discrete Christmas lighting ticked all the boxes for Christmas sophistication' was the judges' view of this prize-winning display.

Have you decorated your house?

Does it look good?

Want to win £50?

Send a picture of your house to clerk@radyr.wales for a chance to win a prize in our brand new competition!

Because of the wet weather, we'll give you until Monday to enter - so those of you putting up your decorations this weekend will have a chance to win.

Let's brighten up Radyr and Morganstown! Let's banish those Covid blues!

And remember, if you're not in it - you can't win it!

Good luck!

Last night's Mickey Mouse walkabout was a huge success!

Thanks to Mickey and his good friends (Minnie, Olaf and Elsa), children throughout much of Radyr enjoyed some festive fun - bringing joy and happiness to all in these dark, dreary and depressing times.

And there's more! Tomorrow night (Saturday 19 December), Mickey and his friends will be touring the rest of Radyr - and Morganstown. You can see his schedule below.

Mickey said that the children in Radyr were 'brilliant'.

'Possibly the best children in the world!' he said 'So I will ask Father Christmas to bring them all some really nice presents'

So, children of Morganstown, be sure to give Mickey and his friends a great welcome - so he can put in a good word for you, too!

Avid readers will remember that Mickey Mouse paid us a visit during the early days of the first lockdown.

Well...the good news is that Mickey is back!

​Radyr and Morganstown Community Council is delighted to bring you this event - and Mickey will be walking and dancing through the streets of Radyr this evening (17 December) - with his long-time friend, Minnie Mouse and special guests, Olaf and Elsa (from the Frozen films).

We are so excited about this - and we can't wait to wave to Mickey and his friends as they bring a good dose of festive cheer to all of us in Radyr.

But what about Morganstown? 

Good question! Mickey and his friends will be visiting Morganstown on Sunday. More details to follow. And, to be fair to Mickey and his friends, walking through Radyr and Morganstown on the same night would be too much to ask. After all, he's 92 years old!

So be sure to look out for Mickey (you'll hear his music before you see him).

Here's his schedule:

Residents may wish to know about the Christmas services organised this year by the Parish of Radyr.

Clearly things will be very different this year because of the Covid pandemic. Even so, there will be much to enjoy, as you can see from the Parish's programme, here.