A Cardiff bus passenger has reported a two-hour journey covering just six miles as major roadworks continue across the city. Several large projects are currently taking place, including works on Castle Street, Callaghan Square and Kingsway, with additional roadworks in the east at Lamby Way and in the north in Llandaff North and Whitchurch, where gas mains are being replaced.
Castle Street works and congestion
Work on Castle Street began in February to make the temporary road layout and cycleway permanent. The road remains open to traffic, but congestion has regularly built up along Castle Street, through Duke Street and towards North Road. Temporary traffic lights have also been installed at the junction of Castle Street and Westgate Street.
One commuter previously described delays on a bus travelling into the city. They said: "I got the first bus of the day from north Cardiff and usually make it to the city centre by 7.45am but we hit the traffic at the bottom of Cathedral Road and it took about 25 minutes to get from there to Westgate Street. It was chaos."
Another passenger has now reported a much longer journey, saying: "It took me two hours to travel six miles! On the bus."
Readers report delays across the city
Readers have also reported delays in other parts of Cardiff. One said: "It feels like there’s roadworks and temporary traffic lights on every other road in Cardiff right now - the one off Lamby Way clearly wasn’t given much thought. Causing mayhem!"
Another said: "Traffic is stupid at the moment. I know, let's do all the street repairs all at once at the same time. That won't cause gridlock. Crazy on Rover Way. Took me an hour and a half to get home tonight vs the usual 20-25 mins."
Another commenter said Cardiff's growing population and the number of cars on the roads were contributing to congestion. They wrote: "It’s because Cardiff is a growing city its population has grown in the last decade by 15000people ! Every street is chocko block with cars !"
Concerns ahead of major events
There are also concerns about how the city's roads will cope during a busy period of events and increased activity. One reader said: "This is just the start we have a month of Autumn Internationals and a month of Christmas shopping and work lunches to come and of course not forgetting the all night boxing event which people will have to use cars for. So as the scouts say be prepared"
The comment refers to a number of major events taking place in Cardiff, including the Autumn Internationals at the Principality Stadium and the planned Anthony Joshua v Tyson Fury fight in the city.
Council response and other works
Cardiff Council said the Castle Street project was necessary to deliver cleaner air, safer and more sustainable travel options and a more attractive city centre. A council spokesperson said: "The work taking place on Castle Street is necessary to deliver cleaner air, safer and more sustainable travel options, and a more attractive city centre."
The scheme includes a range of improvements, including a fully segregated cycleway, upgraded junctions, resurfaced roads, improved footways, enhanced bus infrastructure, and new landscaping.
"Work began on site on 23 February and was expected to take approximately 52 weeks to complete. Major projects of this scale and complexity are planned with contingencies to ensure progress can be maintained where additional work is identified during construction."
"Following the discovery of ground conditions requiring further work, the programme has been adjusted slightly, however we are working closely with the contractor so that the project remains within the overall completion schedule. The Council hasn’t received any complaints from the public about traffic concerns."
"We recognise that construction work can cause disruption and are grateful for the continued understanding of everyone affected. Once complete, the scheme will create a safer, greener and more accessible route through the heart of Cardiff, benefiting residents and visitors alike."
Congestion has also been reported around Callaghan Square, where work is taking place as part of plans to develop the Cardiff Crossrail network. The first phase will see a new tram-train connection built between Cardiff Central and Cardiff Bay. A twin-track tramway is being constructed through Callaghan Square and temporary traffic arrangements have been introduced.
Since September 20, Bute Street from Butetown at its junction with Callaghan Square has been open to northbound traffic. Traffic travelling north towards Herbert Street and Tyndall Street is required to turn left, allowing vehicles to travel westbound or use Callaghan Square to travel northbound or eastbound via the roundabout. There is no southbound access onto Bute Street from the Callaghan Square junction.
Streets south of Callaghan Square off Bute Street can only be accessed from the south, with diversion routes via Lloyd George Avenue and Dumballs Road.
Work is also continuing on plans to redevelop part of Kingsway into a public space. The plans, approved by Cardiff Council last month, include a pedestrianised area, wider pavements, improved crossings, greenery, seating and space for cafes.
Another reader commenting on the changes to Cardiff's road network said: "The road system in Cardiff has been tinkered with so much now that it’s becoming impassable, not even the busses can move easily anymore as many bus lanes around the city have been made into cycle lanes which for the most part are mainly underused."
Cardiff Council has said the Castle Street scheme will ultimately provide a safer, greener and more accessible route through the city centre.
