March 2021

Radyr Chain Article: March 2021


Spring is springing! The daffodils are putting on a great show - and more and more of us are getting vaccinated!


And maybe, by the time I write my next article, we will be back in town doing some serious shopping!


As ever, your Community Council has been busy.


We objected to Transport for Wales' (TfW) proposal to build a road bridge near Gelynis Farm (to replace the level crossing) on the grounds that the scale and specification of the bridge as proposed would be excessive given the nature of the site and the existing use of the crossing by pedestrians and a limited number of vehicles. 


We suggested that further consideration be given to the alternative option of a small, low cost bridge over the River Taff linking to Iron Bridge Road for the limited number of vehicles that require access to Gelynis Farm and other facilities near the farm, accompanied by a footbridge over the railway line suitable for pedestrians and cyclists. 


We also asked that restrictions be put in place on the use of the lane from Ty Nant Road as this lane is unsuitable for heavy traffic - and that measures be put in place to monitor, protect and restore the ecology of the site both during and after any construction works.
The matter is now in the hands of Cardiff Council's planning department.


At the same time, we have attended meetings with TfW and the Radyr Rangers to discuss the design of a new clubhouse for the football club. This will be needed when TfW demolishes the Rangers' existing facility in order to build a temporary road to enable its electrification team to access the railway line. We are pressing hard for the clubhouse to be suitable for 'wider community use' - with a room suitable for events such as meetings and children's parties.


In the meantime TfW has started working at night to clear vegetation adjacent to the City Line. This will be noisy work which, unfortunately, is bound to disturb those living near the track.


More environmental destruction is taking place along Llantrisant Road, where Redrow has removed more of our lovely hedgerows to make way for wider roads, bus lanes and traffic lights (which will replace the Parc Radur roundabout). We were told by Redrow that that the steep embankment on the access road to Parc Radur will be flattened in order to build the new junction; that they will mitigate hedgerow and tree loss with new planting - and that the ornithologist they employed saw no nesting birds during removal of hedges and trees. Even so, our rural character is changing dramatically - which will make a lot of us quite sad. 


In the meantime, you can see Redrow's plans for their next phase of housing (alongside the Parc Radur access road), here: https://tinyurl.com/emj2k3hs


We also face the development by Cardiff Council of a replacement Local Development Plan. That could include more housing to the west of Pant Tawel Lane, around the north of the golf course. We will be studying the proposals, with the help of some excellent local planning experts, to prepare a response which focuses on the impact on Radyr and Morganstown. We will be seeking to ensure maximum community benefit and minimum disruption to our lives.


We will be meeting Cardiff Council's Transport Department after Easter to discuss further improvements to road safety in our community - including improving the Station Road area (which we consulted on just before the pandemic).


We have awarded a £10,000 grant to the team at Christ Church to establish a Good Neighbour's Scheme for Radyr and Morgantown - which will provide a range of services and support for our vulnerable residents. We think that this is an exciting and excellent idea - and we look forward to working with Revd Vicki Burrows as the work develops. Cllr Vina Patel will represent the Community Council on the project's working group - and we know that her skills, enthusiasm and experience will be a valuable addition to the team.


We have awarded Radyr Cricket Club a £2,000 grant towards the cost of covers for their cricket pitch. We hope they have a good season!


We have introduced a new charging scheme for the Old Church Rooms. This consists of a new flat rate for all users. This will be £6 per hour from September, rising to £8 per hour from April 2021. This will lead to lower fees for many groups - as well as for those wanting to hire the hall for private parties. 


We are also planning a range of improvements to the building and its facilities. Unfortunately, the roof is leaking - and a recent surveyor report indicates that the old bell tower is the cause of the problem. We're going to have to spend a significant sum of money to take it down, alter the roof and, possibly, rebuild the tower.


We will be meeting Cardiff Council in the near future to discuss possible improvements to Windsor Gardens. What would you like to see there? Let us know!


And finally, we are about to prepare a plan to guide our work over the next few years. What would you like to see happening in Radyr and Morgantown?! Again, let us know!


Stay safe - and take care!


Cllr Huw Onllwyn Jones
Chair
Radyr and Morganstown Community Council
March 2021


NB: A Welsh language version of this report is available on our website (under 'Our work' / 'The Chair's Blog').