The school, due to open in September 2023, is the first of five at the site costing £40m in total
FAIRWATER residents have raised concerns over traffic congestion after plans for Plasdŵr’s first primary school were submitted.
Following delays due to Coronavirus, plans have been submitted for the school which will be located in the Groeswen neighbourhood, to the north of the development which borders Fairwater, Danescourt and Radyr.
Work on the new school, which will have a catchment area of Plasdwr, Creigiau, St Fagans, Radyr, Morganstown and Fairwater, is expected to begin in summer 2022.
The official Plasdŵr website says: “We’ve been working closely with Cardiff Council on the specification and have submitted for approval the planning application for the construction of the first primary school at Cardiff’s ‘garden city for the 21st century’.”
The Cardiffian reported in January 2020 that the proposed dual-stream primary school, which would cater for Welsh-medium and English-medium classes, has split opinion amongst the local community.
A Cardiff Council consultation found that of 180 people, 57.5% supported the plans.
However, the new concerns voiced by residents in Fairwater relate to the increase in traffic congestion that will come as a result of the new school.
In response to the new plans, driving instructor Christopher Barnett, 65, who lives on Keystone Road, said: “That’s all we need. Another school to run chaos around Fairwater.
“Fairwater is a crazy place in the morning and the school drop off only makes it worse.
“It’s gridlocked some mornings and the planners haven’t thought about the road infrastructure – more cars, more traffic, more chaos.”
More cars, more traffic, more chaos
Christopher Barnett, 65, Keystone Road
Leigh Bodman, 30, who also lives on Keystone Road, echoed this view.
She said: “I feel the congestion outcome of the whole complex should have already been considered by the council before construction began. I can not see how this has been considered in any means.
“Honestly, if it was up to me I would stop it all with immediate effect as I don’t think the roads, new and existing, are either big enough for the cars or prepared for the traffic.”
Tony Mackay, 57, from Danescourt, also voiced his concerns on the the proposed primary school.
“900 acres of prime land, 7,000 houses built on green fields and you’re building a primary school, that should ease congestion, traffic jams and pollution levels loads,” he said.
Whilst residents have been outspoken on their issues over the inevitable traffic congestion, numerous Fairwater people still welcome the new plans.
Image: Sionk
A man who lives on Ferrier Avenue, who asked not to be named, said: “I think people are selfish, what’s an extra minute a day in traffic against the future of our children.
“Would you rather children stopped getting an education?”
Ms Bodman added: “I feel that there has to be schools built for educational purposes, otherwise it is going to put pressure on existing schools and facilities.
“My brother lives in one of the new estates off Llantrisant Road, with his little one, and I know the importance of getting schools available around the area.”
Jenny, who lives on Pentrebane Road, said: “Personally I am in favour of the new school, where future residents children can all be educated together.
“At the moment the children here go to four different primary schools, just on my one street of about 20 properties.
“Another Welsh and English medium school will be badly needed when they build more houses.”
The official Plasdŵr website said: “The delivery of the first primary school is a significant milestone in the development of Plasdŵr. Eventually, thousands of local children will have access to high-quality education a short walk or cycle from their home at Plasdŵr or its surrounding areas.”
Groeswen Primary School, which will be delivered by lead developer Redrow, will be the first of four primary schools and one secondary school which are estimated to cost over £40 million.
Residents have proposed plans to counter the incoming spike in traffic congestion.
Ms Bodman, suggested: “By adding through roads to get to other locations and widening the new roads so two cars can actually travel down the road, in opposite directions at the same time would help with the added congestion.”
The Cardiffian have approached Plasdŵr for a comment.
For more information on the developments of the Plasdŵr school visit the dedicated council page: here.
