Masterplan Supports Residents

The latest draft of the much-publicised Aberystwyth Masterplan leaves the Bronglais and Buarth areas alone in terms of the kind of major developments planned for other areas of town. In this area, the plan says, “The quality of life for residents should be maintained and enhanced”. It does, however, make traffic recommendations for the area which have not been mentioned in local press coverage:
* All streets on the Buarth becoming a restricted access area for residents and services only.
* The closure of Pound Place at the Northgate Street end in order to simplify the Cŵps Corner junction.
* Extending the Plas Crug Avenue pedestrian and cycle path through to Llanbadarn
* The de-trunking of Llanbadarn Road and Penglais Hill – this would allow through-traffic to be signposted around, rather than through, the town and so reduce congestion.
* An additional Park & Ride at the top of Penglais Hill
* One idea (a suggestion rather than a recommendation) is the demolition of the five houses on the town side of Thespian Street between North Parade and Cambrian Street to allow Thespian Street to become a two-way street. This would be coupled with a re-vamped junction with Northgate Street, North Parade and Queens Road to allow more direct access to the sea front.

In addition, Plas Crug Avenue, Vicarage Fields and Llanbadarn Road Cemetery are listed as important green spaces that must be maintained.

Other recommendations in the plan which would positively affect the Bronglais and Buarth areas are:
* Residents parking areas to be identified and policed
* De-criminalisation of parking, i.e. the transfer of parking control from the police to the County Council. This would enable the money from parking fines, which currently goes to the UK Treasury, to be used locally to employ enough traffic wardens to enforce parking controls.

It must be remembered that these are long-terms ideas and that the County Council has a history of not acting on recommendations made in reports such as this. However it is important that people know what these outside experts commissioned by the Council are saying. All their suggestions will be given consideration.

You can receive an e-mail copy of the Aberystwyth Masterplan, in either Welsh or English, by sending a message to alunw@ceredigion.gov.uk