‘Safer route for cyclists’ would encourage more active travel, but some are concerned about its impact on businesses
A POP-UP cycleway is planned to cover part of Albany Road, at the cost of parking on one side of the street.
This follows soon after phase two plans for nearby Wellfield Road and Penylan Road finished consultation about a month ago. This includes a one-way traffic system and a widening of the footway on the west side of Wellfield Road.
The proposed Albany Road “Red Route” plan would see the placement of temporary bolted down traffic poles placed on the north side – that’s the Iceland side – of the street, giving cyclists a designated lane including signage, markings and traffic signals.
The cycleway will start at the junction with City Road/Mackintosh Place and end at the junction with Wellfield Road.
However, it comes at the cost of removing the parking on one side of the busy shopping street. Coupled with the previous plans, the majority of parking would be moved to Penylan Road which is about a five-minute walk from the main shops on Albany Road.
Some residents are concerned that limiting parking on the street may crowd surrounding residential areas with cars and may further push businesses away from Roath.
One resident, Phil Lloyd, said: “Say goodbye to this as a shopping area.”
Cardiff Council however says that the scheme can help boost local business quoting a study that says: “High street walking, cycling and public realm improvements can increase retail sales by up to 30%.”
There may be a divide in the types of shop that benefit from the new plans. Shops that people quickly stop at may be negatively affected, such as takeaways and supermarkets. If there is less parking near the shops, people are less likely to go if they have to park further away.
This comes during a difficult time for the street, as small businesses are struggling to survive through the Covid pandemic.
However, it also important to consider the health and environmental benefits of cycle routes.
Keep Cardiff Moving, a branch of Cardiff Council promoting active travel, say that cycling can “save you money and keep you fitter and healthier.”
The council also noted the differences that can be made to air quality: “We want to get the air we breathe in the city as clean as it can be. Improvements to sustainable travel options and increasing the number of journeys made by active travel (walking and cycling) is a key part of this plan.”
The Wellfield Road and Penylan plans are likely to see completion in the next four weeks, but the plans for Albany Road may take longer.
Cardiff Council predicts that it could be finished by “early 2021, subject to successful engagement”.
