‘Chaos’ as city road is closed for eight weeks
DRIVERS faced chaos yesterday as an eight-week closure began on one of Cardiff city centre’s busiest streets.
Dwr Cymru Welsh Water is carrying out work on a sewer, leading to the southern end of Westgate Street being shut.
The road is closed to through traffic from just below the Angel Hotel to the Guildhall. Traffic management marshals will man the gated points of entry 24 hours a day.
The taxi rank that is usually located at O’Neill’s has been moved to The Philharmonic and diversions are in place for buses.
Traffic was seen queuing all along Westgate Street and in the surrounding roads yesterday, with some bus drivers saying it was “chaos” and trying to advise marshals how to ease the congestion.
Buses were stopping outside O’Neill’s, causing problems on Wood Street.
People stuck in traffic on Westgate Street were asking pedestrians if the road was closed and if they needed to turn around.
It was particularly busy on the corner by the Angel Hotel with traffic coming from both directions struggling to get through the junction.
The closure, which is expected to last until November 15, has been planned so works are completed before the next major event in the stadium and before the Christmas embargo commences.
A spokesman for Cardiff council said: “I understand this is a large amount of time considering it is within the city centre, however due to the nature of the repairs required to the sewer this time is necessary.
“As always if the contractor repairs the issue before the planned end date then they will reopen the road as soon as possible. Please rest assured this will be monitored daily by myself.”