A ROW over a proposed road traffic scheme broke out at a Vale council meeting last week, as it was revealed a popular bike hire scheme could be introduced in Penarth.

Emma Reed, the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s head of neighbourhood services and transport, confirmed in a meeting that the Vale will meet representatives from Nextbike.

Her comments came in a debate over a proposed new traffic system at Plassey Street and Windsor Road.

The council plans to enlarge the roundabout’s central island, using land from The Dingle Park, in a bid to slow down vehicles using the junction, and install two new toucan crossings in Windsor Road and Penarth Road.

But the plans were called in for greater scrutiny by Councillor Ruba Sivagnanam – who said the option does not go far enough to tackle the traffic problems in the area.

The highway plan would cost £870,000 – funded by contributions from the Penarth Heights development.

But the Environment and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee heard on March 7 that much of the Penarth Heights money must be spent by February 2020 – and further delays could risk the project.

Mrs Reed said the roundabout widening plan would slow down traffic.

“This brings the roundabout into more of an engineering standard, potentially making it safer for people walking and cycling,” she added.

“We’re working with Nextbikes as part of that – we’re due to meet them and other parties interested in cycle schemes.”

Cllr Sivagnanam said the proposal was rushed which underlines how “there’s no strategy to Penarth”.

She said: “This proposal to me is a bit like moving the deck chairs on the Titanic.

“It really doesn’t begin to tackle the active travel (challenges). I do feel this is about spending the money before next February.”

Councillors were told the widened roundabout was part of a wider strategy for transport improvements.

Previous plans to make part of Plassey Street one-way to incoming traffic, and removing the roundabout altogether, were dropped following public opposition.