State of the Area Debate 2006 - Penarth

 

REPORT of the State of the Area Debate held on 29^th March, 2006 in the Paget Rooms, Penarth.

 

Present:

 

Councillor Ms. M.E. Alexander	(Mayor, Vale of Glamorgan Council)
Councillor H.J.W. James	(Leader, Vale of Glamorgan Council)
Councillor G.A. Cox	(Cabinet Member: Visible Services, Sustainability and Local Agenda 21)
Councillor A.D. Hampton	(Cabinet Member: Education and Lifelong Learning)
Councillor M.R. Harvey	(Cabinet Member: Regeneration, Tourism and Leisure)

 

In attendance

 

Councillor A. Clive Williams	(Cabinet Member: Social and Care Services)
Councillor A.J. Williams	(Cabinet Member: Planning and Transportation)
Councillor J.W. Thomas	(Cabinet Member: Housing and Community Safety)
Councillors Mrs M.E.J Birch. P Church, Mrs Kelly Owen and Councillor A.J. Readman

 

The Mayor welcomed all present to the Debate which would focus on the Council’s key achievements and ongoing major projects within the Penarth area.  The planned series of presentations would be followed by a question and answer session and members of the audience would also be offered an opportunity to ask general questions in an open forum prior at the end of the Debate.

 

The Mayor further announced as requested by the Penarth Society that they would be holding a workshop on 5^th April, 2006 in the Trinity Rooms.

 

The Mayor then invited by inviting the Leader of the Council to provide his opening address.  The Leader referred to the key topics which would form the basis of the Cabinet Member’s presentations for the evening:

 

• Traffic and Highway issues - Councillor G A Cox

           to include – Barons Court Junction – Merrie Harrier Junction – Penarth

          Town Strategy  and the Corridor Study

• St. Cyres Comprehensive School (Investment Strategy) - Councillor A.D. Hampton
• Penarth Headland Link - Councillor G A Cox
• Penarth Pier Pavilion - Councillor M.R. Harvey
• Italian Shelter            -   Councillor M.R. Harvey

 

The Leader advised that the meeting in Penarth was the second State of the Area Debate in 2006, the first was held at Llantwit Major on 22^nd March and the final one was to be held in Barry on 6^th April, 2006.  The focus for each State of the Area Debate was to concentrate on the improvements and developments to date in each of the town areas within the Vale.

 

The Leader then provided the meeting with an overview of the Council stating  that the Council’s executive decision making body the Cabinet consisted of 10 Members and the Council had four Scrutiny Committees whose role was to scrutinise the executive decisions of the Cabinet and to make any recommendations for improvements of service.  He referred to the fact that the Council had adopted the principal of continuous improvement and most of the Council’s services he said had improved to date inparticular he advised the audience that a recent article in the Western Mail had stated the Council was the top in Wales.  He further stated that the new Cabinet style of decision making had not only produced more open and accountable local government but also achieved quicker decision making  which was clearly in the public interest.  Council services had improved over the last five years and the Leader suggested that most people had seen some improvement in the range of services within their locality which included road resurfacing, grass cutting, litter collection and recycling arrangements.and the Vale of Glamorgan had established a target to recycle 40% of all household waste. 

 

Progress in relation to the OneVale One Stop Shop Contact Centre was ongoing, the Scheme itself was estimated to spend £14,000,000 which would provide a more customer focussed service for which the budget had already been set aside.  The Council had already embarked on a School Investment Strategy, with the purpose of redeveloping and refurbishing three sites within the Vale of Glamorgan (St. Cyres Comprehensive School, Llantwit Major Comprehensive School and Cowbridge Comprehensive School). 

 

The Leader closed his address by quoting that the auditors report on the Vale of Glamorgan had provided key messages stating that the Corporate Management arrangements operating within the Vale were operating effectively and the overall financial position was strong.  The Auditor had reported in November 2005 that  “the Council made steady progress in 2004/05 and was well placed and maintained”.  The Leader reaffirmed the Cabinet’s and the Council’s determination to continue improvements throughout the Vale.

 

 

Traffic and Highway Issues in Penarth – Councillor G.A. Cox – Cabinet Member for Visible Services, Sustainability and Local Agenda 21.

 

Councillor Cox advised those present of the four major traffic and highway matters currently ongoing within the Penarth area and which had raised a number of questions at the State of the Area Debate in the previous year.

 

Baron’s Court Junction –

 

Councillor Cox advised the audience that the planning consent for the development at the Cardiff International Sports Village had conditioned highway improvements to be made at the Baron’s Court roundabout, prior to the beneficial use of retail units in Cardiff.  It was proposed that the highway improvements would consist of the existing roundabout with a traffic signalled junction.  Although the scheme would not have the capacity to accommodate all the peak hour traffic flow, it would facilitate the management of the traffic in a safe controlled manner and had the benefit of allowing full pedestrian movement across all arms together with cycling facilities.  The work would consist of seven major phases involving changes to the traffic management at the junction with night time working being used sparingly to minimise disruption to nearby residents.  Currently Phase 2A was in operation, which allowed the formation of a temporary earthwork embankment in Barry Road for the construction of a piled retaining wall.  A major change to the traffic management would occur in Phase 3 with the introduction of a temporary computer controlled traffic light system and it was expected that the completion would take place by October 2006.

 

Merrie Harrier Junction –

 

The Merrie Harrier gyratory system and the Cardiff Road Dinas Powys bus prioritisation proposal had developed from the Cardiff Road bus lane scheme entered into by the Council in 1999.  A study undertaken by consultants W.S. Atkins in August 2002 had concluded that in order to maximise the benefits derived from a bus only lane significant amendments to the existing road layout at the Merrie Harrier junction would need to take place.  In response to the existing and forecasted situation at the Merrie Harrier junction the consultants tested two alternative arrangements involving the reconfiguration of the junction as a roundabout, and this work had formed the basis of the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s current proposals.  The Merrie Harrier gyratory system would improve the efficiency and attractiveness of public transport services along one of the main arterial routes between Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.  It was anticipated that the scheme would play a major role in achieving the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s objectives of

 

·        reducing congestion

·        increasing public transport patronage

·        achieving modal shift away from the private car

·        reducing CO² emissions

·        reducing accidents

·        ensuring equality of access

·        improving the pedestrian and cyclist environment.

 

It had been agreed the traffic signalised roundabout could be the best option in accommodating the new hospital link and providing for controlled pedestrian/cyclist crossing of the major junction arteries at the Merrie Harrier junction.  While some capacity issues had been identified it was felt that these already existed in the current arrangements and by providing a signalised option it would be possible to manage the queues more effectively to ensure the roundabout was free flowing.  Pedestrians and cyclists would also be provided with safe routes and a signalised crossing could be provided on most arms of the junction which it was felt would be a significant improvement.  It would also be possible to co-ordinate the signals on the roundabout to ensure that buses on the Cardiff Road approach could travel through the roundabout with minimal delay.  However, the emphasis of the original scheme and the benefits offered by it had since moved and the new land use developments at the International Sports Village, Leckwith and Llandough would take up more than the available extra capacity that would be provided thus the proposed gyratory scheme bus only lane would therefore ease the over capacity usage for the benefit of public transport users, pedestrians and cyclists.  A range of measures would be put in place to monitor the success of the proposed scheme.  These would include bus passenger surveys, ticketing information, travel time surveys and annual traffic counts.  The scheme itself had been awarded a transport grant of £500,000 from the Welsh Assembly Government for 2006/07 and an indicative allocation of £500,000 for 2007/08.  The Vale of Glamorgan Council’s Engineering Design and Procurement Division would progress the detailed design, prepare tender documents and undertake project management duties on the project.

 

Penarth Town Strategy –

 

The Council had recognised the need for the development of a strategy for the enhancement of the centre of Penarth and this had been one of the main issues raised at the State of the Area Debate held in Penarth in April 2005.  Saltis Brewster Consulting Environmental Consultants were appointed in April 2005 to develop a Public Realm Strategy for Penarth Town Centre and to assist with the preparation of material for a public exhibition.  Mott MacDonald (consulting engineers) were appointed in June 2005 to undertake traffic engineering studies and to provide advise to the Council on a number of matters pertaining to the movement of vehicular traffic, cyclists and pedestrians through Penarth Town Centre and to maximise the potential for on-street parking.  During the study it had been suggested that Penarth Town Centre be divided into two distinct areas – areas to the north and areas to the south of Windsor Road respectively.  Studies and proposals had been completed and a public exhibition had been held on 24^th, 25^th and 27^th March, 2006.  Members of the public were encouraged to indicate their preference for the future treatment of the southern area.  Funds to progress the studies had been found from existing departmental budgets, however, further grant funding would be required to implement the proposals.  It was intended to submit an application for funding to the Welsh Assembly Government for the northern area (Phase 1) once the following actions had been satisfactorily progressed in advance of the application:

 

·        initial design completed

·        Traffic Orders in place

·        evidence of public support for the project.

 

 

Corridor Study –

 

Consultants had been appointed in November 2005 to undertake a study into the A4160 road corridor from Baron’s Court to Penarth Town Centre with a purpose to consider any improvements which could be carried out to improve traffic movements, junction capacity and safety.  The scope of the study had included the following:

 

·        the roundabout at Terra Nova Way, Tesco

·        the roundabout at Plassey Street/Windsor Road

·        Windsor Road/Pill Street signal controlled pedestrian crossing

·        Windsor Road in the vicinity of Dingle Road Railway Station

 

In general, although not considering the whole of the operation of the proposed signal controlled junction at Baron’s Court, the effects of the proposals on Windsor Road and its existing junction network were to be considered.  A comprehensive collision analysis was also to be carried out to identify any areas of concern with respect to road safety along the length of the study corridor.  Funds to progress the study had been found from existing departmental budgets.  The studies and proposals had been completed and a draft report had been submitted for consideration.  The conclusions and recommendations were noted as follows:

 

·        The philosophy of introducing a series of signal controlled junctions along Windsor Road would have a fundamental effect on traffic movements

·        Junction capacity analysis had shown that the Windsor Road/Cogan Hill would operate overcapacity during peak periods with committed development.  The timings at the junction would be linked by mova to Baron’s Court junction.  The provision of traffic signals provided the option to reduce drivers taking a short cut through Penarth Marina but traffic would need to re-route onto Windsor Road

·        A signalised junction at Windsor Road/Plassey Street would operate within capacity at all peak periods for current traffic and with committed developments when Plassey Street received reduced green time

·        There was sufficient signal visibility for the provision of controlled pedestrian crossing on Windsor Road at the location of the proposed access bridge to Dingle Road Station which would provide a safe crossing point for pedestrians

·        Further changes to the road network would need to be considered carefully and any improvements such as advanced stop lines for cyclists, pedestrian phases at signal controlled junctions, street lighting improvements at junctions, the reinstatement/reconstruction of sections of carriageway, the remarking of carriageway markings and the rationalisation of signing along the route would have a positive effect on the traffic environment.

 

It was noted that further grant funding and/or contributions from a Section 106 Agreement for the Penarth Heights Development would be required in order to implement the above proposals.

 

St. Cyres Comprehensive School – Investment Strategy – Councillor A.D. Hampton - Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning–

 

The Vale of Glamorgan Council had drawn up the Vale School Investment Strategy as a result of the Welsh Assembly Government’s target that all schools should be fit for purpose by 2016.  Condition surveys and strategic school property appraisals had been undertaken and as a result the Council had agreed the following Investment Strategy.

 

Three secondary schools (Cowbridge, St. Cyres and Llantwit Major) were identified for capital investment as a priority with all other schools in the Vale following thereafter.  As a result, in total the Council would require capital investment of £68,000,000 and had planned to spend this between April 2006 and March 2016.  The opportunity afforded to the Vale of Glamorgan was to develop the secondary schools as community focussed schools.  Officers were currently in the process of appointing external technical advisors/ consultants and five companies/conglomerates had been shortlisted which would advise on the design of school buildings and advise on procurement options.  The completion dates were noted as follows:

 

Cowbridge                 September 2008 to commence

St. Cyres                    September 2010

Llantwit Major            September 2012.

 

Penarth Pavilion and Italian Shelter – Councillor M.R. Harvey - Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Tourism and Leisure–

 

A condition survey in 2003 had detailed general renovation works that would be required to the Pavilion.  A substantial investment was required and the survey had identified that special concrete repairs were required with a specialist concrete coating system.  The potential uses for the Pavilion were noted as:

 

(a)       leisure

(b)       food and drink

(c)            business

(d)            community

(e)       other.

 

There were issues at the site re access and transportation, car parking, statutory consents and the Restricted Covenant “Plymouth Estates”.  Both the Pier Pavilion and the Italian Shelter had been marketed by the Vale of Glamorgan Council in June 2005.  No formal offers had been received for the Pier Pavilion, and only one interested party had attended a meeting with the Council.  However, due to the Restricted Covenants placed on the Pavilion, no way forward had been found to date.  The Council had recently written to the Plymouth Estates, the owners, to request the removal of the Restricted Covenants but the Council may have to pursue legal options to remove the Covenant.  In respect of the Italian Shelter the Council had agreed to market the building for leasing to a private sector partner.  Six formal offers had been received and a preferred bidder had been interviewed by the Council.  The proposed scheme would enable continued public access to the park and to the public toilets.  Substantial private sector investment for restoration of the shelter was required and it was anticipated that a 25 year lease would be agreed with the private sector partner. 

 

Penarth Headland Link – Councillor G.A. Cox - Cabinet Member for Visible Services, Sustainability and Local Agenda 21–

 

Councillor Cox advised the audience of the need for a link between Penarth and Cardiff Bay.  Under the Cardiff Bay Barrage Act 1993 by the Cardiff Bay Development Corporation had permitted the construction of “a promenade” comprising a pedestrian and cycle route along the foreshore commencing with concrete defence works to the promenade at Penarth and terminating with the existing cliff beach and foreshore beneath Penarth Head.  The preliminary study had identified the users to include pedestrians, cyclists (it would be part of the national cycle route), the road train and maintenance and emergency vehicles.  The Headland Link would be open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and would be constructed above the highest predicted tides and would be lit.  The Welsh Assembly Government had provided a grant of £7.5 million which had been taken from the distribution of assets on the demise of the Cardiff Bay Development Corporation.  The agreement had been signed in August 2000. 

 

Councillor Cox reported that in his opinion, the Penarth Headland Link would be a landmark project that the Vale of Glamorgan could be proud of.  It would be of striking appearance and would increase awareness and accessibility of pedestrians and cyclists to Cardiff Bay Barrage.  It would also strengthen the town’s identity and increase tourism to the benefit of businesses.  Specialist advisors had been appointed for the following areas:

 

·        Environmental – Saltis Brewster

·        Geotechnical – Johnson Pool and Bloomer

·        Coastal processes – Shoreline Management Partnership.

 

The architect and structural engineer was Patel Taylor and Technica respectively. 

 

The challenge for the project was to make an effortless and seamless connection from Cardiff Bay to Penarth.  An initial cost estimate of £12.5 million had been determined based on a worst case risk assessment.  Cardiff Harbour Authority had promised £1,000,000 additional funding and between the Welsh Assembly Government Grant, the Cardiff Harbour Authority and the Vale of Glamorgan Council donation, the Council was striving forward to ensure the project would be completed.  The Council had not only provided £2,000,000 but had agreed to underwrite any other costs up to an additional £3,000,000. 

 

The programme itself was detailed as follows:

 

 

June 2006 – agreed final target costs

June 2006 – appoint contract administrator

July 2006 – mobilise construction works

September 2006 – complete detailed design

April 2008 – complete construction works.

 

Following the presentation, the following question and answer session then ensued:

 

QUESTION	ANSWER
Tom Margrain – resident.  The Cardiff Sports Village – How can children access the Sports Village in a safe way?	The Leader responded by saying that both he and the Chief Executive had met with their counterparts in Cardiff Council to pursue the issue of a pedestrian bridge and it was his opinion that such a bridge should be funded by the private developers who were building on the Cardiff Bay side
Resident from Penarth – What facilities are going to be provided for pedestrians walking from the railway station?	The Leader responded.  We are looking at proposals as I mentioned earlier and we would like to see a pedestrianised bridge.
Mr. J. Berkinshaw, resident – Has anything been done about opening the Barrage for traffic to travel back and forth Cardiff?	Councillor Cox responded by stating that the Barrage was not designed for traffic.
Councillor Charles Curren, Penarth Town Mayor referred to the article in the local news paper regarding land in other peoples ownership in relation to the Penarth Headland Link.	The Leader responded by stating that the ownership had only recently come to light and negotiations were in progress with the two land owners.  Should the matter not be resolved satisfactorily with the landowners then it would be possible that the Cabinet would have to arrange for a Compulsory Purchase Order to be established in order for the Penarth Headland Link to be delivered.
Mr. A. Wilmott, son-in-law to Mr. D. Wiles, a landowner of an area of land on the Penarth Headland Link – Mr. Wilmott advised the Debate that the Council had had knowledge 15 years ago of the ownership of the land, the Legal Department had been advised and that his father-in-law had written in October and in November 2005 but no contact had been made by the Council.  He advised that his father-in-law had originally offered the land free of charge but had recently had a change of heart in view of the fact he had not been responded to by the Council.  He further stated that there were no negotiations taking place but that the family wished to talk to the Council.	The Leader thanked Mr. Wilmott for his information and stated the Council would be more than happy to speak with his father-in-law and that he would certainly be taking up the issue and progressing the matter.
Mr. John Fraser – what is being said about the impact of the air quality and CO² levels around the Baron’s Court roundabout.  What would be the impact on local residents?	Councillor Cox stated there were currently traffic delays at the roundabout.  The Council was trying to encourage people to use public transport as inevitably with the amount of congestion traffic there would be problems with pollution.
Mr. Philip Rapier, local resident – What is a Restricted Covenant and how should it affect Penarth Pier?	Councillor Harvey advised that a Restricted Covenant was placed on the Pier some time ago and although the Pier has been used for café type purposes in the past i.e. the sale of drinks and food etc. this was always done with the knowledge that there was a Restricted Covenant and the new potential developers of the Pier do not wish to take on the project until the Restricted Covenants are lifted.  The authority is currently in negotiations with the land owner, Plymouth Estates.
Mr. G. Robertson, Penarth Society – Mr. Robertson suggested that the Pier be let in the interim to the public at a low rent?	Councillor Harvey advised that the Gym Club were currently using the Pavilion and that the Pier Pavilion would require substantial renovation before it could actually be let out for further public use in the way that the question was raised.
Local resident, Penarth – Will there be access from Penarth to the full length of Cardiff Bay to the Cardiff end.	Councillor Cox responded.  The intention is to be able to go all the way into Cardiff.
Mr. John Evans, local resident – How are you going to encourage people to use public transport?	Councillor Cox – We are currently, as an authority, encouraging our staff to use public transport or car share and we also provide cycle facilities for staff to use.  As residents of the Vale of Glamorgan, we should all consider using public transport.
A number of residents raised the issue of the cost of the Penarth Headland Link cost and whether or not it would be suitable and beneficial for the area?	The Leader responded by stating, I feel a number of you here are underselling Penarth and the Penarth Headland Link in my opinion will improve the locality and be beneficial not only for businesses but for members of the public to enjoy.  We are also determined to re-establish the Pier and the Wales Tourist Board have recognised the Penarth Headland Link scheme as a landmark scheme.  Therefore, with the refurbishment of the Pier and the Italian Shelter, the Penarth Headland Link would be a landmark scheme for not only Penarth but the U.K..
Mr. Gwyn Roberts, Penarth Town Council – We need some action from the Council on the beach front.  The kerbstones are a disgrace.	The Leader responded.  We have tried to show you tonight the evidence that the Council has and its commitment to developing the Penarth area.  Yes, we are aware that the kerbstones are not useful and that it was only a temporary measure at the time.  A study will be done for the whole area and hopefully we can arrive at a scheme that both the Vale of Glamorgan Council and Penarth can be proud of.
Mr. I. Tovey, local resident – I think the Penarth Headland Scheme is a waste of money and you should consider building something similar to what has been built on the front in Torquay.	Councillor Cox responded by saying that the walkway in Torquay would not be appropriate for the Penarth Headland Link area on the grounds of environmental and ecological issues.
Mr. J. Gilford, local resident – What are you doing to ensure local railway stations are providing the appropriate announcement boards?	Councillor Harvey responded that the appropriate announcement boards are the responsibility of SEWTA.  The partnership decides on where the money goes first and the Vale of Glamorgan has no overall control other than the fact that Councillor Harvey is a Member of the Committee.  South East Wales Transport Alliance are looking at the whole programme of upgrading and addressing the matter in priority order.  They will all eventually receive the appropriate announcement boards but it all has to be done on a need for need basis.
Mr. B. Davies, Penarth – What are you going to do about the extra access issues to the comprehensive school?	Councillor Hampton responded.  The Council’s aim is to replace the current building and that there should not be a massive increase in the school population.  Access to the site with any improvements will be looked at in detail by officers.
A local resident, Penarth – Why don’t your Councillors respond to the letters in the Penarth Times?	The Leader responded.  He would urge all Members to consider responding to any letters in the Penarth Times.
Councillor M.E.J. Birch, Penarth Town Council and the Vale of Glamorgan Council – Are you going to put money from Section 106 for a community hall in the north of the town?	Councillor Harvey responded, we may have to finance a road infrastructure from 106 money but it is the intention to provide a community facility and we need to look at designs.  There are three options for the St. Pauls site which are currently being costed and we are also considering at the number of potential users for it.
Local resident, Penarth – Please keep Penarth tidy.  I understand that £14 million has been spent on the OneVale Project, wouldn’t it be better spent on keeping Penarth tidy?	The Leader responded by saying the Council had put a considerable amount of money into the collection of litter but it was a sad fact that people drop litter and the Council had to clear it up.  The effort the Vale of Glamorgan has made over the year was considerably greater than other local authorities and an additional £650,000 has been allocated to the next year’s budget to deal with the matter.  The authority was spending £14 million on a contact centre to provide a better service for the community and to ensure that one number was available for the members of the public in order for them to contact all aspects of the Council.  Councillor Cox also stated that Members of the Council feel that the Vale should be an attractive place to live in.  We do as much as possible to clear up the litter and we are also fining people for dropping litter. We encourage people to improve the image of their locality and have assisted them by partnership arrangements.

 

Conclusion

 

The Mayor then invited Councillor Jeffrey James to sum up the evenings proceedings. 

 

The Leader stated that a number of questions raised at Penarth were similar to other areas in the Vale of Glamorgan and that all Councillors could identify with the issues raised within their constituency areas.  However, he further stated that he hoped that those present in the Debate had seen several schemes that were recommended for the Penarth area and hoped that they could understand the Vale of Glamorgan’s commitment to do what they could to deliver those schemes for the benefit of the Penarth and the Vale of Glamorgan.

 

Councillor James thanked all present for attending the Debate and was pleased that members of the public attended and felt able to ask questions.  It was hoped that all present had enjoyed the question and answer session and that it was appreciated that the Council was doing its best to make improvements for all localities.

 

The Mayor finally concluded the meeting by thanking the Leader of the Council, the Cabinet Members and all the members of the public for attending as well as all the staff who had been involved in organising the event and wished all present a safe journey home.