Traffic concern (From Penarth Times)

Traffic concern

THE developers of the Cardiff International Sports Village have submitted proposals to the Vale to replace Cogan Spur roundabout with a traffic-controlled junction.

The plans would be carried out by the developer of the Cardiff International Sports Village who have an obligation to improve the traffic system.

Penarth town councillor Gwyn Roberts has called for a more long-sighted transport strategy for the Penarth area.

Cllr Roberts, who sits on the Penarth Town Council planning and transport committee, said: "I can't see the sense in proceeding with this design when it is clear that it will not be adequate to cope with the volumes of traffic we are currently experiencing - let alone all the additional traffic from the various new residential developments that will be going up in the area.

"A comprehensive traffic survey urgently needs to be carried out for the Penarth area.

"I think the Merry Harrier junction is also a major problem. It is dangerous, holds traffic up on Redlands Road and forces traffic through the town."

Rob Quick, the director of environmental and economic regeneration at the Vale Council, admits that the plans do not offer a solution to traffic congestion through Penarth at peak times, which are likely to be made much worse by various housing developments in the vicinity of the town.

In a report of the plans, Mr Quick said: "Although this scheme does not have the capacity to accommodate all the peak-hour traffic flow for all the committed and projected developments in the area, it does facilitate the management of this traffic in a safe controlled manner and has the benefit of allowing full pedestrian movement across all arms with cycling facilities.

"In itself, therefore, it will not solve the peak problems."

All the scheme costs would be met by the developer.

The Cardiff Sports Village will contain food and non-food out-of-town superstores.