Project is part of mile-long route connecting Cathays to Heath Hospital
WORK on new cycle lanes along Cathays Terrace has been met with frustration from residents.
Building the segregated cycle paths began in September 2021 and is due to finish on Cathays Terrace at the end of this month.
“It’s so frustrating to have to live so close to this chaos which affects us day and night,” said Oliver Helps, who lives just off Cathays Terrace.
“I understand why we need more cycle lanes, but Cathays Terrace is absolutely awful right now with constant traffic, noise and pavements that just randomly get closed off, forcing you to cross over and zig-zag from one side of the road to the other.”
The new cycleways will run in both directions, raised and separated from traffic, as part of a mile-long route from Cathays to Heath Hospital, a project costing the council about £6m.
A petition was launched recently to stop the construction of the cycle path at the Allensbank Road stretch because it will mean the loss of 70 parking spaces, an issue which also affects residents of Cathays.
“There is now nowhere to park because of the chaos on Cathays Terrace due to the cycle lanes being built,” said Natalie Cowley, who lives on Cathays Terrace.
“It is an issue that is extremely frustrating to residents who voted against it being built and it’s clearly preventing people visiting the area from using the local businesses,” she said.
“My partner has trouble parking after work every night, it seems as if the council are not realising the issues of building a cycle lane through an area where we already have parking issues.”
Another resident, Craig Strachan, who lives on Cathays Terrace, said: “I’ve been woken up early to the sound of drilling every day this week – it’s ridiculous.
“We were told by the council they expected to be finished with works a few days ago, but they look nowhere near done.”
The Cathays route is one of five new cycleways proposed by Cardiff Council to run from the city centre to St Mellons, Cardiff Bay, Llandaff and Caerau.
Howard Williams, who lives on Cathays Terrace, said: “We have lived here for 35 years and this is the worst it’s ever been.
“Just trying to unload shopping is a task as either you have to stop in the road to unload it or trek to carry a load to the house from where you can find a space to park.”
Similarly, Gail Farrant, who lives on Cathays Terrace, said: “A huge mess is being made of the area. As a resident parking here is an absolute nightmare.
“We’re too afraid to go out in the car because you won’t be able to park when you return, even with a permit.”
In 2019, Cardiff Council released its Transport White Paper which set out a 10-year strategy and includes a redesign of roads and pavements to make them a safer place to walk and cycle.
“I’m a middle-aged woman trying to cut down on car emissions, I have a bike and I use bike lanes when they are there,” said Joyce Costello, who lives in Rhiwbina.
“However, a lot depends on the type of cycle lane because I am more likely to use a properly segregated one.
“I get abuse daily if I am in the bike lanes marked by a line of paint because they offer little protection. These new ones are very welcome.”
Cardiff Council wants to increase the number of people walking or cycling to work from 31% in 2021 to 43% by 2030.
Councillor Caro Wild, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport, said: “We all want cleaner air and we all want to do what we can to tackle the climate emergency.
“Improving cycling, walking and public transport options for everyone is a key priority for this council.
“We see it as a way to encourage more people to leave their cars at home, which will reduce congestion, clean the air we breathe and help us all become a little healthier and happier.”
