Vale council to officially consider building Dinas Powys bypass

A report presented to cabinet later this month will put forward two options to deal with the issue, one of which is the construction of a bypass road to the south and east of Dinas Powys which would be a single carriageway linking the Merrie Harrier junction in Penarth to Barry.

The report says that, while a bypass could potentially cut local journey times, significant junction improvements would be required to make any new road feasible and connections for walking and cycling would also have to be factored in.

But the report also acknowledges that the council continuing to use the funding it currently has available will not solve the underlying congestion problem.

The recommendations come from stage one of the WelTAG (Welsh Transport Appraisal Guidance) Dinas Powys Transport Network report which was jointly funded by the council and Welsh Government and prepared by Arcadis Consulting Ltd.

The report is the result of a study which was agreed to earlier this year to explore traffic issues and oppurtunities in the area.

The other option being considered is a "multi-modal" approach that would link together short, medium and long term improvements to bus and rail services with new cycling and walking schemes and improvements to key road junctions.

Previously, the Vale council has said that it is not considering the bypass and did not include it in its Local Development Plan (LDP) because it said that funding would not be available for the foreseeable future, that it was trying to promote walking and cycling in the area and that the bypass would not solve all the congestion issues in the area.

But Welsh Government economy and infrastructure secretary Ken Skates said last year that he recognised it was a "unique" issue and had instructed his officers to find a fully funded solution.

Rod Harrod, chairman of the Dinas Powys Bypass Steering Group, said "Of course we and most residents in Dinas Powys will be extremely happy with this positive move forward, even if there’s considerable imbalance between the two short-listed choices.

"In fact many of the suggested model shifts to bus, train, cycling and walking are desirable and could automatically be addressed with a by-pass.

"There can be no real increase in bus use unless there is less traffic on the A4055 and we now learn the Metro system for the Vale line is unlikely to happen for at least ten years.

"A cycle track could easily be included along the length of the by-pass.

"Of course it’s clear that whatever is decided the first thing that must be addressed is the Merrie Harrier junction."

Cllr John Thomas, leader of the Vale council, said: "The perennial problem of congestion in Dinas Powys and the eastern Vale is finally getting the attention it deserves.

"This is an issue that I know matters greatly to local residents and one that local councillors are very keen to see addressed.

"The Vale of Glamorgan Council is determined to play its role in achieving this and both proposed options will now receive thorough scrutiny and more detailed plans for both will be compiled so that a final appraisal can take place.

"What this report makes clear though is that no single organisation can deliver the solution that the area needs.

"This is why we will now seek to work closely with Welsh Government, local elected members and any other interested parties to identify the funding this project will need."

Cllr Geoffrey Cox, cabinet member for neighbourhood services and transport, said: "This initial report tells us there are two possible solutions for the longstanding transport issues in Dinas Powys and the eastern Vale.

"The most eye-catching is certainly the proposal for a bypass.

"This, along with the multi-modal approach, is now under active consideration and I look forward to bringing a further more detailed report on both to cabinet later this year."

The council’s cabinet will formally consider the options on Monday, July 31.