Water is the key (From Penarth Times)

Water is the key

PENARTH AM Lorraine Barrett is calling on the Welsh Assembly Govern-ment to fund alternative forms of transport, to help ease congestion and boost tourism in Cardiff Bay.

Mrs Barrett said: "Cardiff Cats is a successful water bus service in Cardiff Bay, linking Mermaid Quay with the Barrage, the centre of Cardiff, and, to a limited extent, Cardiff Bay with Penarth.

"The service attracts some 100,000 passengers annually, and it does so without any financial support from the Welsh Assembly. With financial support Cardiff Cats could continue its service during the winter months, and increase services to Penarth - helping to ease traffic congestion around the Bay."

Mrs Barrett has also written to the Assembly's Transport Minister, Andrew Davies calling for the Welsh Assembly Government to fund alternative forms of transport like water buses.

Mrs Barrett added: "I have written to the Assembly's Transport Minister asking him to consider funding alternative forms of transport like water buses. This has great potential for boosting tourism and easing congestion in Cardiff Bay."

Mrs Barrett added: "I am concerned at the number of speculative housing developments going up in the bay.

"I think additional residential developments will only add to parking problems and traffic congestion for the whole area. Also I don't think we're giving enough attention to the designs we're giving approval to. I really think we have reached saturation point now."

The Cygnet and Sapphire, which are currently used as water buses in the bay, both started life as ships tenders to the Swedish American Lines 'Kungsholm.'

The ships tenders were used to ferry passengers from the ship to the shore if there was no suitable docking facility for the ship itself.