Plans to build a new relief road in Cardiff have taken a major step forward with the council set to enter into a legal contract with developers. The scheme would see a new bridge and link road built over the Rhymney River, providing the first direct link between Llanrumney and the A48 Eastern Avenue in Pentwyn.
The proposals, which were made as part of a wider plan to redevelop the Cardiff East Park and Ride site in Llanrumney, will not only connect the two areas for the first time, but also aim to reduce traffic flows on residential roads and improve access to public transport for local residents. You can read more about the plans here.
A report on the new development, which also forms part of the East Cardiff Industrial Strategy, was discussed by Cardiff Council’s cabinet at a meeting on Thursday, October 20. Get the latest planning news from across Cardiff sent straight to your inbox for free by signing up to our newsletter.
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At the meeting, the cabinet granted permission for the council to enter into a legal contract with the developer Curtis Hall Ltd to build the new bridge and link road. This will also be subject to an independent valuation.
The park and ride site, which is one of three in the capital, is used by hundreds of people every day with the service dropping users into the city centre by bus in as little as 15 minutes. The new bridge will be used by vehicles and buses from the site, while pedestrians and cyclists will also have access as part of an effort to reduce dependence on making journeys by car.
The huge redevelopment will see existing buildings on the site demolished, with 600 new parking spaces created. The number of spaces at the site could even be doubled from the current 1,000, with an area which can accommodate a future 300 spaces also being cleared. However, if these extra spaces are required by the council in the future, they would be subject to a separate planning application.
New industrial and commercial units will be built, with hundreds of jobs created through both the construction and occupation of the site. Landscape improvements will also be made in order to improve walking and cycling along the Rhymney Trail, which runs parallel to the river.
Community sports facilities will also be developed as part of the scheme, with a consultation having already taken on place on the sale and development of three parcels of land in Llanrumney to fund the new link road and bridge, alongside Section 106 contributions which are made by developers to contribute to community infrastructure. Through the scheme, there will be investment in local sports facilities, with new pitches and a club house set to be built.
The land adjacent to Llanrumney Hall, off Ball Road, which is current home to the playing pitch for Llanrumney Rugby Club is set to be sold by the council. While a significant area of greenspace will still be retained in front of Llanrumney Hall, an agreement has been reached to relocate this pitch to land off nearby Mendip Road, which is not suitable for development.
As well as a new rugby pitch, the redevelopment scheme will also provide a new full-spec, grass pitch for Llanrumney Football Club, mini pitches, and a brand-new clubhouse and changing rooms for both teams to use. Local clubs will also get access at community rates to a new state-of-the-art sports complex on the existing Cardiff University playing fields, which is being delivered through a tie-up between Cardiff University and the Cardiff City FC academy.
The sold land will also deliver a logistics centre on the site adjacent to the A48 bringing new jobs into the area, while there will also be 170 new homes on land off Ball Road and Ball Lane. Approximately 80 of these homes will be new council houses.
Cabinet Member for Investment and Development, Councillor Russell Goodway, said that the new direct link road will "improve public transport options for local residents," helping people get to work quickly while also cutting congestion. He added that it would bring "much-needed investment" to the area, with local sports clubs given a boost with improved facilities.
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