Locals fear what might happen once families move into new homes being built on top of shops
CYNCOED residents have faced growing parking issues since construction on Clearwater Way commenced.
As reported by The Cardiffian in February, Cardiff Council approved plans by LRM Planning for a development of the shopping parade, including two more floors of flats being added above the shops.
Work started on the site this summer and now, only the Lakeside Pharmacy, Hetty’s Bakery and a Tesco Express remain. Several pop-up shops have closed.
But residents and workers, who already face limited parking, say the problem has got worse due to the construction work. They also fear what will happen once more residents move in if no extra parking spaces are provided.
Lauren Powell, who works at Lakeside Pharmacy, said: “As the construction works have started, the disabled parking and access has been blocked off. This has caused great difficulty with many of our patients who come to us to collect prescriptions. This has in turn created higher demand on our delivery service as the pharmacy is less accessible than it once was.
“Many were hoping that development would happen with car parking in particular as during the few months that the businesses were trialled here, the increased demand caused by them highlighted lots of issues with parking.”
Cyncoed resident June Rowe, 88, agreed. She said: “I’ve been coming to this pharmacy ever since I moved here, 50 years ago. The parking is bad enough now but it’s going to be 10 times worse with more people moving in.”
In addition to a small parking area in front of the now derelict shopfronts, there is a small park across the road. The parking behind the parade is limited.
Residents and shoppers had hoped increased and more accessible parking would arrive alongside the development due, in part, to a statement from Calibro Consultants, who provided services on the project.
“We were pleased to provide consultancy services to LRM Planning to help justify and improve car parking,” said the consultancy agency in May.
Despite this, residents say little has changed now that building is underway.
