One of Cardiff's most notorious junctions will have roadworks in place until the start of June due to a gas pipe upgrade. Road closures and traffic lights are in place for a period of nine weeks while utility works are being carried out in the area.
Richmond Road in junction with City Road is currently closed until June 2 with traffic lights in place on City Road, Albany Road, Crwys Road junction and Mackintosh Place. The disruption has had a different impact to businesses and residents of the area, with some claiming it has helped bring people through the doors and some claiming it's caused trading issues.
Rabia Tariq, 37, works in her husband’s restaurant, Chai Green on Albany Road, and said that the construction work has brought more business to their restaurant over the last few weeks. Chai Green opened in December and the business has spent the majority of its time open with roadworks outside its doors.
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Rabia said that people waiting in the traffic lights have taken notice of the new business and have come back to see what it has to offer. She said: “We opened in December and I don’t think it’s affected us that much. In my personal opinion, people are outside in their cars and see that there is a new shop open, so I don’t think it’s affecting us [negatively] that much."
She added that there has been congestion and long queues outside the restaurant. She said: "In the morning, the parking is a bit of an issue - people have to park in side streets or different areas and walk here - but in the afternoon it’s not a busy area and quiet at night. We’re open until 1am, so in the night it’s not too bad compared to City Road."
However, this is not the same for other businesses on the street. Khalid Ali, 43, owner of Home 4 You, a home goods and craft store on Albany Road, said that the congestion has been awful for his business. He added that customers have told him that they will have to avoid the area as a result of the delays and lack of parking spaces due to the roadworks.
He said: "I opened three years ago but business has been bad over the last few weeks with the roadworks. I had a customer tell me that if they come here, they want to be able to park around here, but they can’t now as it’s hard to drive in this area."
Mr Ali said that eight weeks of roadworks is “too much” and is worried about the lack of trade. He said: “Now I’m thinking why am I opening the shop when there’s no business, I want to spend time with my family.” He added that the cost of living and the impact of the war in Ukraine has also been very hard for small businesses.
Wales & West Utilities Programme Controller for Cardiff, Adam Smith said: “We are working in the Albany Road area of Cardiff to upgrade the gas network, including Crwys Road, City Road, Richmond Road and Mackintosh Place. This upgrade is essential to keep the gas flowing to homes and businesses in the area and to make sure the gas network is fit for the future.
“We’ve worked closely with Cardiff Council to plan these works and to keep the local community, road users and our colleagues safe while we work, phased road closures and traffic management will be in place. To try and minimise disruption, all our traffic lights will be manned during peak times.
“We appreciate that while we work hard to keep disruption to a minimum, our work can impact on local businesses. Any local traders who feel their business has been adversely affected by our work can apply for compensation under the Gas (Street Works) Compensation for Small Businesses Regulations 1996.
“Business owners who feel they have been affected by our work can discuss a potential claim with our Customer Service Team on 0800 912 2999 or by enquiries@wwwutilities.co.uk.
“We would like to thank local people for their patience. This work really is essential to keep the gas flowing to heat homes and power businesses in the area, and to make sure the gas network is ready to transport hydrogen and biomethane, so we can all play our part in a green future."
Due to the gas pipe upgrade, a part of Richmond Road has been closed off until June. Some residents of the street said that they have welcomed “the peace and quiet.” A resident, who wished not to be named, has lived on the street for over 40 years and said that “it’s been nice to not have constant fumes outside the house".
She added: “The road closure hasn’t affected me as I don’t drive and walk to catch the bus.” She said when the road is open there is constant heavy traffic outside her home. She added: “I actually quite like it [the road being closed].”
Ovie Martin, 30, has lived on Richmond Road for two years. He said: “[the roadworks] is a good thing. It’s keeping up with more developed cities. Personally, it’s not causing any harm to me - it’s a good thing.”
He added that he drives and he has found it easy to navigate the diversion roads and there has been plenty of free parking spaces on the street.
Sulochana Madumali, 36, has lived on Richmond Road for two months and is a university student and a part-time carer. She said that since the roadworks she has had to walk further away to get her bus to work and university, but that "it isn’t that difficult".
She said that it has been a bit of an inconvenience, as friends are not able to park on the road to pick her up. She said: "Parking is a bit difficult - one of my friends now struggles to come to pick me up, so since she can’t come here I now have to walk to Albany Road to be picked up.” However, she added that she is enjoying how quiet the road has become.
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