The say the problems stem from the neighbouring road which has seen an influx of food and drink businesses
Residents living at Bangor Street, pictured, have threatened to barricade the street to prevent vehicle access save for emergency services(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne)
Angry residents have threatened to barricade their street because they are so annoyed about noise from vehicles which they claim are for businesses on the neighbouring road. In the Roath and Penylan area of Cardiff residents living at Bangor Street said they feel the council has not listened to their noise concerns and they have no choice but to take direct action.
The say the problems stem from neighbouring Wellfield Road which has seen an influx of food and drink businesses and is one of the most popular suburban high streets in the city. But residents say with the infrastructure lacking for deliveries and collections, Bangor Street – which runs parallel to Wellfield Road – is being used as a service road.
They claim trade waste collections have arrived as early as 4.15am and claim businesses at Wellfield Road are having multiple bins collected at different times. They’ve told the council they’ll be barricading Bangor Street soon in protest to make sure vehicles can’t access the street at all, although they have said they’ll make sure there is access for emergency services, unless something changes.
“If nothing changes the council know we will barricade the street,” said Lisa Watts, who has lived on Bangor Street for 30 years. “I love this road. I would not want to live anywhere else. It is the first time we have thought about moving somewhere else. “It isn’t being a Karen, it isn’t being a NIMBY, it’s our community on the line. If they don’t listen, we will barricade the road off.”
Catherine Mallam, who also lives at the street, said: “Insomnia is now my best friends because I’m up waiting for bin lorries to turn up, or I get woken up by them and I just feel massively anxious about it.” Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here
A spokesperson for Cardiff Council said: “The council only has a commercial waste collection contract with one of these businesses, Silures, now operating as Bacchus. Waste collections from this business are required to take place strictly after 8am in accordance with the established planning conditions.
“If residents are aware of anyone acting in breach of any planning condition, they should contact the Local Planning Authority Enforcement Team and provide the details so the claims can be investigated on their behalf.”
There are 25 food and drink businesses on Wellfield Road which require an A3 food and drink licence with a further two pending planning applications. The number of A3 businesses on Wellfield Road has changed the way locals feel about their community. Every day residents say they see bins and HGVs on their once quiet street.
Wellfield Road has had a long history of trading. However, in the past, most businesses were purely retail, which need fewer deliveries and collections.
“At one point Wellfield Road didn’t have many cafes and restaurants. There were little shops and even a haberdashery,” said Nic Finch, another resident of Bangor Street.
Lisa added: “I have been here for 30 years. It has changed the fabric of our community. We are in danger of becoming just a service road for Wellfield Road.”
Lisa wants Bangor Street to be made a resident-only road which would stop HGVs and bin lorries using the road. Previously Cardiff Council carried out a consultation on turning Bangor Street into a cul-de-sac but residents rejected that proposal as the creation of a turning circle would have “cut our parking spaces in half” and the proposals “watered down our concerns,” according to Lisa.
Not everyone on Bangor Street believes a resident-only road is the answer. “I worry if the (HGVs) did not stop on here, they would stop on Wellfield Road which then increases the congestion in the area and increases the pollution. That would be bad for everyone, especially the children,” said Nic.
Since cycle lanes were introduced to Wellfield Road during the Covid-19 pandemic deliveries became increasingly difficult. With Wellfield Road being a frequent thoroughfare HGVs stopping there could cause traffic problems. “It has changed. It is not ideal. But I don’t know if we can reverse it at this point,” Nic added.
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