Residents of Llanrumney have had enough after they say their roads become overrun every weekend by visitors to Cardiff University playing fields. With rugby and hockey matches taking place at the playing fields on Mendip Road, visitors begin parking on the nearby residential roads once the car park becomes full.
But Sunday, March 26 “was the straw that broke the camel’s back” for some residents, they say. Anthony Hughes who lives on Northam Avenue – next to the playing fields - says he was left waiting in his car for over an hour to drive down his road. He said: “This happens nearly every weekend. I wake up early on a Saturday and Sunday to move my car out of my drive to stop people blocking me in. One of my neighbours called the police to help with the situation and they couldn’t even get their police van through. What if there was an emergency?”
Anthony met with Cardiff University staff last year but says he feels like “nothing is ever going to happen.” He added: "To make it worse, spectators I have spoken to that park outside my house say they refuse to park in the provided car park because it is gravel and will ruin their alloy wheels. Cardiff University seems happy to book up its pitches and sell out tickets when it doesn’t have the parking spaces.”
A spokesperson for Cardiff Council has apologised to residents and said it is undertaking an immediate review of Sunday’s event.
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One resident who also lives on Northam Avenue said: “Every week there are sports matches here and it makes the parking horrendous. Yesterday was by the far the worst we have seen. People could not leave their homes. It seems there is no consideration at all for residents in the area or our safety. My neighbour is elderly and couldn’t have her carer come and visit.”
Kim Parsons, who lives on Ball Lane, said: “It was particularly bad yesterday and there were cars parked everywhere. Double yellow lines, corners, junctions. You name it. People don’t think about others. I am pregnant and disabled. I had to park away from my house and walk back home. It is just ridiculous.”
Residents like Kim say they have contacted Cardiff Council to complain about the weekly roadblocks and are hoping that “either the council or the university look into the planning of games and find a way to improve parking.” Llanrumney councillor Lee Bridgeman has relayed residents’ fears to Cardiff Council and Cardiff University in hopes to stop the issue from happening again.
“There have been events at the playing fields before, which are normally ok. If you are putting an event on, someone along the line knows there needs to be management. But nothing was done. There was no regard for the residents, their safety, or the emergency services. There was no traffic management, no stewards, no organisation and certainly no communication,” said Cllr Bridgeman.
“The number of cars was shocking. There is a car park at the playing fields and another at the rugby club but they were overflowing. There is a park and ride that people can use. This can’t happen again. With Cardiff City academy moving to the area as well as new housing and a BMX track opening soon, residents are concerned that this issue will get worse.”
In response to the issue, a Cardiff University spokesperson said: “We are aware of the concerns raised by residents. The disruption caused was not acceptable. We apologise to those residents impacted and to the wider community. We are undertaking an immediate review of Sunday’s event, and parking procedures more widely, to ensure that disruption on this scale is not repeated.”
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