More than 70 parking spaces will be lost to make way for the active travel route
ANGRY residents have launched a petition against plans to install a cycle lane on Allensbank Road leading to the loss of 70 parking spaces.
The proposed cycle path will be on the side of the road running parallel to Cathays cemetery.
The plans have raised concerns among residents, University Hospital Wales staff, business owners on Whitchurch Road and their shoppers.
Cardiff Council has confirmed that the parking spaces will not be replaced but argues that residents won’t be adversely affected because of a move to permit parking. The move is intended to stop commuter parking.
The petition organiser, Andrew Waggett, said: “I’m not against cycling in the slightest, but we’ve got to have a city that works for the people.
“We’re going to end up as Cardiff being the best cycling city in the world but no businesses left.”
A member of the council’s Transport Planning Policy and Strategy team told The Cardiffian: “The plan will not replace 70+ parking spaces.
“It will instead eliminate longer stay commuter parking and prioritise space for residents with a permit. Commuter parking in the area is a 24hr issue.”
Mr Waggett said: “It’s a great place to live but unfortunately most of us need a car for work, shopping and everyday life. I think a car is a basic requirement, until a greener alternative is available.
“Take the parking away and shop keepers and residents will greatly suffer.”
Work on the cycle path was originally scheduled to start in February or March of this year but is now more likely to start in June/July.
The petition has been signed by nearly 200 people with Mr Waggett taking it door-to-door on roads adjacent to Allensbank Road that will also be affected by the changes.
Parking on roads around Allensbank – such as Llanishen Street or Manor Street – is congested due to multi-car houses, commonplace among students and trainee nurses in the area.
“I want something good for the area, we’ve got great shops, the university and the hospital, it’s like a little town,” said Mr Waggett.
Mr Waggett submitted a Freedom of Information request to the council which revealed what he says is a “disproportionate amount being spent on cycling.”
Cardiff Council’s projected end of year spending for 2021/22 on roads, electric vehicle infrastructure, footpaths and cycle paths is £17,878,000.
The projected spend on cycle paths is £9,071,000 and works on the Allensbank Road section are currently estimated to cost £1,133,796.
Geoff Caddick, of Maindy, said: “I’m all for the cycle path, but the new zonal parking should have been implemented first.
“Public parking also needs to open up round the Heath as our area takes the brunt of the parking pressure from the hospital.”
Heath’s Conservative Coun Lyn Hudson said: “I’m not against cycling but it’s got to be done properly and currently they’re displacing parking.
“You can’t have a bus lane, a cycle lane and two-way traffic in a small road.”
Coun Hudson revealed that originally the council wanted the cycle path to go up to Crystal Avenue Street, alongside Heath Park and next to Heath High Level station, but she refused the plan because the road is too narrow.
“Parking is at a premium already, especially in Heath with terraced housing,” she said.
“What about electric cars? When you’re living in a terraced house or a block of flats you can’t plug your car in {if you can’t park outside your house}.”
The same FOI request revealed that the projected end of year spend on electric vehicle infrastructure for 2021/22 is only £187,000.
Labour Coun Graham Hinchey pointed out that the proposed new cycle path wouldn’t affect Heath greatly as Allensbank Road south of the A48 is the Gabalfa ward.
Gabalfa’s Liberal Democrat Councillors Rhys Taylor and Ashley Wood said: “We, and residents, support the provision of safe cycling infrastructure.
“We hear every day from cyclists and pedestrians that the current set up doesn’t keep anyone safe or encourage people to walk or cycle more.
“We are disappointed at the way in which the cycle route on Allensbank Road has been consulted on, and residents feel that the cycle route will exacerbate an already desperate parking situation in our area. We do need to do everything we can to get people out of cars and onto public transport and to walk and cycle, but it’s important schemes are designed with communities to take into account local pressures and issues.”
Gabalfa resident, Nick Bourne said: “All these restrictions do is cause animosity and more congestion, coupled with the fact these lanes are very rarely used.”
MS Julie Morgan, who met with concerned residents in October last year, said: “I have been contacted by a number of residents who have expressed their concerns about the cycleway.
“I am aware of the strength of feeling of local residents about the impact the cycleway will have, and I know that it is already hard for people to park near their homes in the area. I will continue to work with residents and Cardiff Council to try and find a satisfactory outcome for all involved.”
