Council to sell land for new bridge
A PLAN to build a bridge linking Llanrumney to the A48 is stepping closer as Cardiff council prepares to sell land to fund the works.
The bridge over the Rhymney river would link Llanrumney to the A48 at the Pentwyn junction and the park and ride site, making it easier for residents to get into the centre of the city.
The council is planning on selling land near to the bridge, including at Ball Lane, to pay for a developer to build the bridge, with a public consultation beginning soon.
The developer would also build 170 houses on the land, which is currently home to Llanrumney Rugby Club’s playing pitch. The pitch would be relocated to land off Mendip Road.
The plans include building a new grass pitch for Llanrumney Football Club, mini pitches, and a new clubhouse and changing rooms for the football and rugby teams to use.
Councillors on the cabinet will vote whether to approve the plans tomorrow. The plans form part of the wider industrial strategy for east Cardiff, including a new train station called Cardiff Parkway.
Councillor Russell Goodway, cabinet member for investment and development, said: “Currently all commuter traffic heading towards the city centre from the wards of Llanrumney, Rumney, Trowbridge and to an extent St Mellons have to use Newport Road, which sees significant congestion during peak periods.
“This new infrastructure will finally improve public transport options for local residents. It will create a direct link to the Park & Ride facility where there will be a dedicated bus lane to take people directly into the city centre on public transport.
“This will get people to work quickly, significantly improving on car journey times while helping to cut congestion.
“To ensure this development can proceed, we do have to re-purpose land in the area. This involves freeing up land which is suitable for housing development and replacing local facilities on land which is not suitable for housing development.
“The money raised through the disposal of these sites will be ring-fenced to build the new bridge and road link and will fund the new sporting facilities, bringing much-needed investment to the area.”
Llanrumney councillors Lee Bridgeman, Keith Jones and Heather Joyce welcomed the “great news for the people of Llanrumney”.
They said: “Llanrumney has a rich sporting history from its fabled baseball teams to our rugby and football teams of today. More than 300 children are registered with Llanrumney Youth Club football.
“The prospect of our Llanrumney children playing on some of the best facilities in the capital city of Wales is stunning.
“Llanrumeny continues to be a proud working class community that endures high levels of poverty. Llanrumney currently suffers from the highest rates of unemployment at over 50 per cent higher than the average for the city as a whole.
“The council’s plans to inject investment and to transform facilities and connectivity in Llanrumney is one that delivers on the promise to our people to improve the lives of residents.”