Rhiwbina roadworks on Heol y Deri

Traffic and trade fears over gas works

30 January 2018

Some local businesses and residents claim roadworks in Rhiwbina have not been thought out well enough.

Wales and West Utilities are repairing gas pipes on Heol y Deri, the latest and reportedly final phase of the company’s £2 million investment in upgrading the supply.

But there are fears over the effect on trade, and claims it has caused unnecessary traffic disruption.

Christina Edwards, office manager of Edwards and Co Property said there had been less footfall over the past three days.

“The roadworks started on Saturday and we’ve noticed a drop in [customer] traffic and obviously a bit of noise,” she said.

Wales and West Utilities said businesses who have lost out because of the roadworks can apply to them for compensation, adding: “We’re very aware of the effect that our work can have on communities and commuters and we’re working closely with Cardiff Council and local councillors to get this essential work done while causing the least inconvenience.”

Residents have differing views about the roadworks. One local woman, Anne Owen told CJS News: “It is work that needs doing – before this, we always had gas leaks in our road.”

However, others are angry about the diversions put in place because of the road closure, with drivers using residential side streets instead.

Katie Lewis said she was concerned about the amount of extra road traffic.

“There’s not enough room for traffic to pass each other and some, especially during the middle of the day, are driving too fast for a small residential road. I appreciate that the main diversions set in place could cause an annoyance to other local residents, but it should have been better thought out considering the school is a the top of the road and so many people walk this way to it,” Ms Lewis said.

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