Commuters in Cardiff will experience even more traffic because of new homes proposals, according to Plaid Cymru AM Neil McEvoy.
He said: “The Local Development Plan should really be called the local destruction plan – the knock on effects of 10,000 extra cars everyday, when it is already bumper to bumper on major roads into Cardiff will mean the city doesn’t work anymore.”
The Local Development Plan was drawn up by Cardiff City Council in 2010 and it decides where new transport and houses are built. It started in 2010 and is due to continue until 2026.
Mr McEvoy will be proposing a motion to reverse the LDP later this month.
Traffic is already a major problem in Cardiff with cars crawling during rush hour, which has resulted in increasing levels of air pollution.
One of the areas that has seen a sharp rise in traffic and air pollution is Birchgrove, which is in between major roads A470 (Northern Avenue) and A469 (Caerphilly Road).
Independent Councillor for Heath and Birchgrove, Fenella Bowden said that for people living on Caerphilly Road in Birchgrove, “life is unlivable because of nose-to-nose traffic all the way down their road”.
Fenella Bowden, Councillor for Heath and Birchgrove
“Traffic is now slowed basically to a standstill, consider all the fumes that residents now have to ingest, some people drive diesel cars we know the impact of diesel fumes on children and pedestrians, it is not a pleasant experience either walking up Caerphilly Road or living on it”.
Both politicians think a new transport system in Cardiff will help to reduce air pollution and traffic.
Councillor Bowden said Cardiff should follow the example of cities like Nottingham, that have an extensive Park and Ride network with shuttle buses.
Mr McEvoy said Plaid Cymru are looking into the feasibility of developing a tram system in the city centre.
