Park campaigners lose road fight

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A bid to halt work on building a new road and bridge in the grounds of Bute Park has been thrown out by Cardiff council.

Campaigners called for a moratorium on work to the Grade I listed park, while a public consultation exercise was carried out.

But the Liberal Democrat and Plaid Cymru leadership voted out the request in a meeting on Thursday.

The local authority says the road will make the area safer and better.

Nerys Lloyd-Pierce, of the Bute Park Alliance, said the decision was "deeply disappointing".

"In the last 70 years, the city has lost half its central green parks. It is time it was called to halt, otherwise in another 70 years there won't be anything left," she commented.

A motion put forward at Thursday's council meeting by Labour and Conservative councillors called for an immediate cease to all developments in Bute Park, Sophia Gardens, and Pontcanna Fields.

It also demanded that the council "undertake a wide-ranging consultation on the future use of these parks and to then bring forward a clear strategy for their future use and development".

The need to preserve the city's green spaces is ongoing Nerys Lloyd-Pierce, Bute Park Alliance

However, the Lib Dem and Plaid Cymru run coalition voted to amend the request, in favour of work continuing.

The Bute Park plans, which are already under preparation, will see a new route from the North Road side in to the park, allowing deliveries to the city's plant nurseries, and access for vehicles involved in large events in the park.

Legal challenge

The work will also see a £1.4m new bridge in the park, capable of accommodating lorries.

Cllr Nigel Howells, cabinet member responsible for parks, has insisted that Cardiff council does not want to ruin the city's parks.

He said the road and bridge would provide the only "dedicated" access route for vehicles to get to the park's nurseries.

In doing so, it would leave paths within the park free for pedestrians and cyclists, he said.

He insisted it would not mean more events or more vehicles using the park.

We encountered heavy plant vehicles which emphasised the danger that those particularly with sensory impairments could face Charles Willie, Cardiff and Vale Coalition of Disabled People

Meanwhile, the Cardiff and Vale Coalition of Disabled People has supported the new road, saying it will give better access for people with mobility problems, while making the park safer for all.

Charles Willie, chief executive of the coalition and chairman of the Access Focus Group, said that during a recent tour of the park, it became clear that a new access road was needed to divert traffic away from pedestrian areas.

"The need for this became clear when as a group we encountered heavy plant vehicles which emphasised the danger that those particularly with sensory impairments could face," he said.

Bute Park was originally the private garden for Cardiff Castle and was given to the people of the city in 1947.

High-profile opponents of the current plans have included the actors Matthew Rhys and Ioan Gruffudd, and Griff Rhys Jones, who wrote to the Guardian newspaper over the issue.

Campaigners are insisting that their fight is not over yet, as an environmental legal expert is reviewing their case, in the hope the proposals can be halted in the High Court.

"The need to preserve the city's green spaces is ongoing," added Nerys Lloyd-Pierce.

"We seriously hope that the council will see sense, and commit to serious discussions on this matter."