TRAFFIC at a busy junction will increase by more than 400 per cent in the next few years, a campaign group has claimed.

Members of the Dinas Powys Bypass Steering Group have pointed to a Highway Impact Assessment (HIA) carried out by the council which says morning rush hour traffic will increase by 407.6 per cent in the next couple of years.

The Highway Impact Assessment was produced to assess the impact on road traffic when the planned 10,000 houses are built across the area over the next five years as part of the Local Development Plan

The Vale council says it is aware of residents' concerns about traffic in the village and that there will be the chance for the community to come forward with ideas during a traffic study, all of which will be considered.

Community councillor Vince Driscoll, who is a member of the bypass group, said: "Now we discover the council rejected the opportunity to buy the old petrol station land at the Merrie Harrier junction. .

Cllr Driscoll went on to say: "They said they didn't have the asking price of £150,000 (for the land)."

"Instead they spent £400,000 on a cycle path up Penlan Hill from the Merrie Harrier,

"We’re told the NHS, who bought the land originally for an access to the hospital, offered it to the council.

"They saw how improving the junction would be an advantage to the hospital."

Cllr Driscoll asked why Section 106 money couldn’t be used saying that this money is paid by developers for this type of use.

"If they are really interested in finding a solution to the Merrie Harrier problem they might still be able to buy the land at the 11th hour," he added.

The Highway Impact Assessment was produced to assess the impact on road traffic when the planned 10,000 houses are built across the area over the next five years.

Councillor Andy Robertson, another member of the group, said: "But the council failed to react to the findings of consultants and excluded the Dinas Powys By-Pass from their Local Development Plan (LDP).

"Now they’re trying to limit the remit of the new joint study with the Welsh Government by saying the findings must fit with what’s already in the LDP.

"They’ve consistently ignored the findings of consultants for the last five years. Why should this new study be any different."

Roger Pattenden is a Chartered Civil Engineer.

He said: "The LDP offers no solutions or plans to rectify any of the problems.

"If they are serious about finding a solution why don’t they test the effect a by-pass would have on traffic?

"Maybe the Welsh Government minister Ken Skates or the independent inspector will recognise the urgent need for a positive decision and action.

"Planning, budgeting and changes to important junctions don’t happen overnight. But 90 years is a long time to wait."

Cllr Peter King, cabinet member for building services, highways and transportation, said: "The council is aware of residents’ concerns regarding the traffic situation in Dinas Powys.

"We will shortly begin in partnership with Welsh Government a wide-ranging study of the transport network in Dinas Powys.

"As part of this process there will be consultation with representatives of the local community and opportunities for people to come forward with their ideas, all of which will be considered.

"We can also assure residents that everything in the document mentioned is currently being considered by the inspector appointed to look at the Local Development Plan.”