The team building a new cancer centre in the north of Cardiff has apologised for traffic disruption during the first week of major roadworks. There were reports of long queues and disruption on Monday evening and Tuesday morning as work to build a new access point for construction vehicles gets under way.
The Velindre team admitted there had been "significant delays" and said they were working with the contractor to improvement the situation. Traffic disruption and the amount of construction traffic in Park Road, which leads from the construction site entrance at Whitchurch Hospital to junction 32 of the M4 at Coryton, has long been a concern for protesters who are against the development.
A new traffic management scheme started on one of the main routes through Whitchurch on Monday, October 24, but a broken-down bus and a crash on the M4 that evening saw long queues build up on some of the main roads in the area. A statement from Velindre Matters said: "A new traffic management scheme involves temporary traffic lights to ensure both the safety of residents and drivers alongside allowing important highway works to take place.
"On Monday further disruption was reported during already busy periods through Whitchurch village where a bus broke down and towards the M4 at Coryton where a crash took place in the early evening closing two lanes. This undoubtedly compounded the situation."
There were also reports from local residents of delays on Tuesday morning with some school buses pictured in the queues at 8.40am. The statement added: "On Tuesday morning the volume of traffic again caused significant delays so we have been working with the contractor on improvements to the traffic management system to ease the situation for everyone."
The work is being carried out at the entrance to the old Whitchurch Hospital as it will be the main entrance and exit for contractors during the building of the new centre that is due to open in 2025. There is currently a four-way traffic light system in place with the plan to move it further down Park Road by Monday, November 28, when it can be reduced down to a three-way system. The works at the hospital entrance site are due to be completed by Friday, December 16.
A spokesman for Velindre Matters said: "We are working with the contractors to look at a range of options to complete the works earlier than anticipated to deliver the required improvements to the junction. We will keep residents updated of any further improvements we can take to reduce the impact."
He added they will continue to listen to any concerns from members of the community and pledged to monitor the situation daily and said: "We recognise the impact that traffic delays have on people's daily lives and understand the frustrations felt by local residents. We believe that the situation will improve over the next few days . We would like to thank everyone for their continued patience."
Velindre University NHS Trust has also revised its plan for an emergency access to the new centre. The plan replaces the original proposal for access through the Hollybush Estate with an alternative through Whitchurch Hospital grounds.
David Powell, project director for the new Velindre Cancer Centre said: “During a meeting with some of the residents of the Hollybush Estate, arranged by Julie Morgan MS and Anna McMorrin MP, we heard concerns about the proximity of the emergency access to some of the homes on the estate.
"We started looking at alternative options immediately and have been actively pursuing the option of redirecting the access from the Hollybush Estate since then. We listened to concerns and we have responded to them. We hope that the new plans will be considered by everyone as an improvement to the plans for the new cancer centre and the local community as a whole.”
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