Decision details

The Service Director, Democratic Services & Communication advised Members that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had undertaken pre-scrutiny of the Transportation study at its meeting on the 15^th June, and a detailed note of Members comments had been circulated in advance of the Cabinet meeting to assist Members in their deliberations.

The Service Director Frontline Services provided Members with an outline of the report which identified the short-term and long-term public transport options that offer the best business cases in order to improve access through from RCT through North West Cardiff towards the city centre.

Members were advised that the transportation study and related Business Case process had highlighted the advantages of a ‘joined-up’ approach to developing a range of public transport proposals in the Cardiff Capital Region, many of which will operate cross boundary. It also highlighted the importance of achieving improved connectivity to/from central Cardiff and between local and regional destinations elsewhere.

The Service Director commented that the project was of regional significance and had the potential to attract several hundreds of millions of pounds of funding into the area. If delivered, the public transport solutions would transform travel behaviour and provide a safe, reliable, convenient and sustainable transport option. As well as facilitating transport from Rhondda Cynon Taf into Cardiff, it could also encourage travel into Rhondda Cynon Taf, particularly in association with the development of the new town centre at Talbot Green. It is possible that the wider economic benefits could extend northwards into the Rhondda Valley and Gilfach Goch areas as the creation of new employment in Talbot Green and planned reduction in journey times to/from Cardiff will offer residents in these communities with improved access to new jobs, training and learning opportunities.

The Service Director concluded his report by advising that the next steps would be the WelTAG Stage 2 process which would be used to inform the final recommendations. However, it should be noted that a proposed transport scheme for the North West Cardiff – Talbot Green / Llantrisant corridor would require further development before any of the transport investment options for serving this area of planned major development could be determined.

The Leader of the Council commented on the large piece of work entailed within the transportation study and the opportunities within to improve communities within RCT.  The Leader advised of the long-term projects and the need to plan for the next decade.

It was RESOLVED:

1.    To note the outcome to date of the North West Cardiff Corridor Transportation Study.

2.    To note the next stage in progressing this study – WelTAG Stage 2.