A busy road in Cardiff will be partially turned one way and a new cycle lane added. The section of Pendyris Street from Clare Road to Mardy Street in Grangetown will be converted to a one-way eastbound system, with right turns from northbound Clare Road being prevented.
A new cycle lane will also be added, merging into a shared foot and cycle path after the junction. The zebra crossing south of the junction will be converted to a toucan crossing.
A number of residents have commented on the project, which initially went out to a consultation in which 49% of respondents disagreed with the plans. One resident, Savitha, said: "It is a ridiculous plan to convert Pendyris Street to one way! With all the road works going on it would add to the stress of any commuters. The end of street is considered a good place to drop off family/friends who want to go to the city centre. Converting it one way causes more problems than needed."
Another resident, Emma, said: "This is not needed, it will cause havoc for us residents living by as it is already a nightmare." Masoom said: "This will cause more traffic adding to already heavy traffic on Clare Road and Penarth Road."
The project was put out to consultation through a drop of 1,724 letters and a site notice but only 49 responses were received. 49% of the responses did not support the proposals, with a 3-6% response rate, which the council is treating as "general acceptance or no view."
A further 41% supported them and 9% had no view. The majority of responses agreed that there was a traffic problem at the junction but only 31% of respondents supported making the entrance one-way, with 37% saying neither this, nor stopping vehicles turning right, was the way to fix the problem.
Comments from residents included frustration that there was no residents' permit scheme on the street and worries about how the proposed cycle lane would end abruptly, merging into a shared space.
The council responded, saying a permit scheme would be unlikely due to the nature of the street, and that the cycle lane was not likely to be an issue as it would mitigate the number of cycle collisions at the junction and that the street did not form part of a primary cycle route.
Some people suggested closing and pedestrianising Pendyris Street but the council's response said this would significantly restrict access for residents, businesses, event management and pay and display parking.
A spokesperson for Cardiff council said: "This transport scheme is part of the council’s ongoing plans to make the roads safer and to improve walking and cycling opportunities, in line with the improvements being made in the city centre. The proposal includes upgrading the current pedestrian crossing to a toucan crossing; implementing a two-way cycleway and making a section of Pendyris Street a one-way street, with vehicle access only permitted from the east between the junctions of Clare Road and Mardy Street.
"There will also be a ‘no right turn’ from Clare Road into Pendyris Street for motorists, although this route will be permitted for coaches and buses during event days.
"This is aimed at reducing traffic flow on both Pendyris Street and Taff Mead Embankment, by discouraging motorists to use this as a through route, as well as improving road safety on the Clare Road, Court Road and Pendyris Street junction.
"The scheme will be monitored before and after implementation to determine whether any further improvements are required as part of this scheme."
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