Popular park set to introduce one-way system
A TEMPORARY one-way system is being introduced at Roath Park in Cardiff to help pedestrians keep a 2m distance.
The pilot scheme will be put in place from today to increase social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic.
The system has been introduced in response to concerns raised by local residents and will involve a clockwise one-way system around the path by the lake.
It will remain in place seven days a week until further notice and if successful it will be extended until at least April 26, Cardiff Council said.
“Two-way traffic” will be maintained on the wild gardens, Lake Road East and Lake Road West, between the wild gardens and the promenade.
All visitor parking will be removed nearest to the lake to provide additional space for cyclists and joggers.
The changes to the layout of the highway are designed to discourage people from making non-essential trips by car to the area.
Cabinet member for culture and leisure Councillor Peter Bradbury said: “Generally, park users have been doing their best to follow the two-metre social distancing guideline set out by the Government, but Roath Park Lake is one area where the size of the paths, coupled with its popularity, have made this more difficult in practice.
“By keeping people moving in one direction and increasing the space available to them, we hope it will allow people to use the park responsibly, which in turn will help us keep the park open for people to enjoy during the outbreak.”
An emergency 20mph zone is also being introduced on the newly available road space to encourage “active travel” for pedestrians and cyclists.
Cardiff Council cabinet member Caro Wild said: “Encouraging active travel by providing more space for pedestrians and cycling is something we’re already establishing across the city. With a lot less vehicles on the road, and restrictions in place on non-essential journeys, it makes sense to reallocate this space to alternative forms of transport.
“We know from the successful introduction of 20mph schemes in other areas of the city that they can be a really good way of making our streets safer for walking and cycling and hopefully it will encourage people living in the surrounding neighbourhoods to walk or cycle to the lake for their daily exercise.”