It’s all change again as seats cleared away
CARDIFF council has started clearing away the outdoor cafe seating on Castle Street.
The Castle Quarter seating in the city centre will be fully removed on Sunday, the council has said.
Workers have already cleared away half of it as fewer customers have been braving the cold weather to sit there.
More details on whether Castle Street will remain closed to cars are expected early next week.
The road was closed to cars and buses in June to help pedestrians socially distance after lockdown restrictions were eased. An alfresco dining area was also set up to help local businesses whose capacity was reduced.
Councillors and the public are split on what should happen next with Castle Street.
Concerns include air pollution, congestion, footfall for local shops, and safety for cyclists; while some have suggested the street and castle could be used for a Christmas market.
Before the coronavirus pandemic, Cardiff council was already planning to reduce traffic on Castle Street. Nitrous dioxide (NO2) pollution was forecast to breach legal limits in 2021.
Councillor Caro Wild, cabinet member for strategic planning and transport, said: “We have been closely monitoring the traffic flow and air quality data across the city to assess the impact of the pandemic and of Castle Street’s closure to motor vehicles.
“As you would expect, these findings show air quality has improved dramatically in the city centre this year.
“But crucially, it has also improved in all areas of the city compared with last year, even during the months after the initial lockdown.
“Simply put, fewer car journeys are taking place, and pleasingly, more journeys appear to be taking place by bike and on foot.”
Options include opening Castle Street to just buses and taxis, or charging drivers to use the road as part of a Clean Air Zone.
A council spokesperson said: “Prior to this year’s events, an independent survey commissioned by the council forecast that, if things remained the same, then future NO2 pollution levels on Castle Street would breach EU legal limits beyond 2021, with other nearby roads also a cause for concern.
“For this reason, the council already had plans for Castle Street which would reduce traffic flows.
“The council is considering options to reopen Castle Street. These will have to take into consideration the clean air requirements set by Welsh Government’s legal directive to reduce pollution levels on the street.
“Options on reopening will also look at ways social distancing guidelines can continue to be followed on Castle Street.”