THE VALE council has agreed to carry forward three recommendations to improve transport in the eastern Vale including building a bypass.

Cabinet members agreed to the findings of stage one of the Welsh Transport Appraisal Guidance (WelTAG) study on Monday (July 31) which included three recommendations for improving the transport network including building a bypass, a multi-modal approach or a minimum intervention approach.

A review group has been set up which will consist of representatives of Welsh Government, the Vale council, Network Rail, Arriva Trains Wales, local bus companies and Sustrans.

Arcadis Consulting UK Limited was commissioned by the council in early 2017 to develop and appraise potential options for improving transport in the area.

The report says the study, which was agreed to by the Vale council and Welsh Government in January, was required because of the high traffic flows experienced in the area with frequent traffic congestion causing delays and poor journey time reliability and that public transport in the area is at capacity during peak periods of travel with limited walking and cycling opportunities

Consultation sessions were held in March with one for councillors, local authority representatives and key organisations and another for the public with 44 per cent of respondents highlighting the need for a bypass in their feedback forms.

As a result, seven options were assessed before being whittled down to the three that will be considered in stage two.

The bypass solution assumes a similar alignment to that included in the former Adopted Unitary Development Plan south and east of Dinas Powys connecting to the Merrie Harrier Junction but Cllr Geoff Cox, cabinet member for neighbourhood services and transport, confirmed at the meeting on Monday that no official route had been decided upon.

The report says that bypasses can offer "environmental improvements to households living alongside busy traffic routes like Dinas Powys."

The multi-modal approach involves a package of short, medium and long term improvements and enhancements to bus

and rail services and their associated infrastructure such as parking.

Also there would be additional cycling and walking schemes and improvements to key junctions with the implementation of appropriate road safety measures.

Cllr Cox said that the improvements were for the benefit of the entire eastern Vale including Penarth, Sully and Barry not just Dinas Powys.

He also said he wanted representation from Dinas Powys business people to contribute their views towards the review group.

Rod Harrod, chairman of the Dinas Powys Bypass Steering Group said: "Obviously we’re excited but we’ll save the celebrations until the final decision at the end of Stage two of the WelTAG process.

"When you think that only a few months ago there had never been any chance of it ever happening at least we’ve achieved something."

But he said they are concerned about the make up of the review group which does not appear to have any representation for cars

"We’re pleased to hear that the Vale council is to ask for further representation on this review group," he said.

"As it stands we don’t believe either of the two options completely fit the remit. A mixture is needed.

"The multi-modal concept doesn’t provide any answer as to how it will reduce traffic for the rest of the option to work.

"On the other hand the by-pass would benefit from some of the multi-modal options, like cycling and walking, being included in the plan.

"There’s obviously a lot of work to be done on stage two but things are moving in the right direction.

"In addition we were pleased to hear this week was that the Vale council is recognising the importance of a by-pass to the whole of the eastern Vale – not just Dinas Powys. This strengthens our case considerably."

The report will now go before the environment and regeneration scrutiny committee to consider and stage two of the WelTAG report is due to come before cabinet in spring 2018.