Insole Shops – Environmental Improvements

Cardiff Council is proposing to undertake improvements to Insole shopping area as part of the Neighbourhood Renewal Scheme (NRS) programme. A number of issues were initially identified including:

• Confusing parking area and highway arrangement
• Poor quality pavements and carriageway
• Pedestrian and cycle accessibility
• Lack of greenery and poor-quality environment
• Lighting

Draft plans for environmental improvements were prepared based on the above issues and two public consultation events were held on-site in November 2023. Feedback from the consultation events was extensive and generally positive. Comments related to the current parking system being chaotic/poor/dangerous, a poor pedestrian environment (including the rear lane) and drainage being a major issue. There was general support for the proposed one-way system. Respondents noted that the parking is not generally used by people visiting the shops and that the area is currently used as a cut through to Ely Road.

Concerns were raised relating to the proposed ‘no right turn’ and the potential impact of excessive parking on the surrounding streets. Further concerns were raised about the potential for anti-social behaviour due to the proposed bench and the perceived reduction in car parking spaces. The need for timed/restricted parking bays was raised a number of times, as was the poor quality of the rear lane (surface and lighting).

Respondents were in favour of the provision of more bins, cycle stands and planters and we have retained these as part of the scheme. The provision of a bench was a more contentious issue. We have retained the proposed bench due to the potential benefit for pedestrians, particularly those with mobility issues and will monitor its ongoing use.

The new plan therefore shows the following:

• A revised system of parking
• Repairs to the rear lane (completed)
• Retain the one-way system with no right turn
• Retain the proposed disabled parking bay
• Time restrictions on parking spaces (currently being considered)
• A more pedestrian friendly environment
• Bins, planters, benches and cycle stands