WELCOME to the Castle Quarter – Cardiff council’s vision for the future of High Street.
Workmen will begin ripping up the roads and pavements on Monday as the £2.5m project begins to pedestrianise the city-centre artery and create a continental-style atmosphere.
High-quality paving chosen to reflect the historic buildings, Victorian arcades and the facade of Cardiff Castle will be laid by the summer.
City transport chief Councillor Delme Bowen said the council wanted to create a unique area that draws people to the arcades and the castle and which stands in contrast to the ultra-modern St David’s shopping centre and The Hayes.
Although the work will cause disruption, the changes will be permanent and mark the end of two years of change, which has seen private cars banned and pavements temporarily widened.
Many retailers claim the upheaval has driven away customers.
But Coun Bowen believes they will return once the work has been completed.
Work to pedestrianise St Mary Street will start once the paving of High Street has been completed.
“I am delighted that work is beginning on this scheme, which will transform High Street,” said Councillor Bowen.
“The improvements will provide an original and exciting contrast to the other changes taking place in the rest of the city centre.
“High Street’s unique mix of independent shops, banks, restaurants and professional services is an important part of its appeal and the scheme will strengthen connections between the arcades and Cardiff Castle, creating a safe, attractive, distinctive and high-quality environment for pedestrians.”
He added: “Cardiff council intends to continue to work closely with local businesses to create a retail area and environment that will further drive Cardiff’s success as one of the United Kingdom’s top retail destinations.”
The start of work means a number of important changes, which will affect retailers, shoppers and commuters. They are:
The re-routing of buses that normally travel northbound up St Mary Street and High Street onto Westgate Street;
The imposition of a permanent traffic regulation order from Sunday granting access to High Street and St Mary Street for delivery vans and lorries between midnight and 11am only;
Rising bollards placed at both ends of the street with a speed limit of 5mph enforced in High Street and 20mph in St Mary Street;
The fencing off of areas where work is taking place;
The Free b shopper shuttle will become the only public transport service connecting Cardiff Central Market to the bus station on Wood Street and other locations.
Nick Griffith, of Curzon Real Estate Partners, which owns the High Street, Duke Street and Wyndham arcades, is confident the new scheme will help maximise the arcades’ potential.
He said: “Having seen the plans and illustrations of what is proposed, I am extremely impressed by the design and quality of materials being used to implement this important pedestrianisation and regeneration project.
“We are confident the measures will lead to higher footfall for our tenants, as shoppers and tourists explore this part of town.”
Disability groups have also been consulted about the changes and Charles Willie, chief executive of Cardiff and Vale Coalition of Disabled People and chairman of Cardiff Access Group, said he was pleased to be involved.
“The council is carrying out a full equality impact assessment to make sure that all sections of the community are fairly and properly considered.
“While there are still a few important details to agree, such as surface colours, kerbing and tactile paving, it is pleasing that the Access Focus Group has been involved from the outset.”
