It is currently Tue Dec 10, 2024 10:12 pm


Metro

if it's about Cardiff.. Sport, Entertainment, Transportation, Business, Development Projects, Leisure, Eating, Drinking, Nightlife, Shopping, Train Spotting! etc.. then we want it here!
  • Author
  • Message
Offline

dazplott

  • Posts: 78
  • Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2014 8:53 pm

Re: Metro

PostSat Mar 16, 2024 1:22 pm

solaris wrote:RE Crossrail Phase 1
That diagram recently shared is only one of several early design options investigated. The final design still not nailed down, But to be aware junction with bay line will be at-grade, mixing with traffic will be avoided (so no in-road sections, just road crossings), alignment/platforms at Central will accommodate connection west to the throat at the end of platform 8, likely no station in Callaghan Sq (given proximity of stations at Butetown and Central). Local highways have to be re-designed to wrap around...


Ah, this makes a lot more sense. So no need for the underpass then - both tram lines will rise to the bay line embankment and one will cross the other at grade?

looking at the diagram, the underpass didn't seem straightforward due to the high skew needed and that it sat between two existing bridges and there isn't much clearance so jacking a box section through the embankment might not have been feasible.
Offline
User avatar

Msmurf

  • Posts: 295
  • Joined: Tue Aug 01, 2017 4:21 am

Re: Metro

PostSun Mar 17, 2024 3:25 am

I think 'at-grade' means grade of Callaghan Square - not grade of bay line track.

But I dont think jacking an underpass through the embankment is feasible as there is not enough clearance and too much risk of settlement. So I predict that Bay line will have to close for a very fast and intensive operation - excavate section - install precast box sections - reinstate - could be done within two weeks with proper planning and preparation.

(Speaking as a Construction Manager who has executed similar fast track shutdowns before). Just keep Network Rail as far away as possible.
Build it and they will come.
Get it wrong and they will fall off.
Offline

solaris

  • Posts: 48
  • Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2014 3:43 pm

Re: Metro

PostSun Mar 17, 2024 8:56 am

It will almost certainly all be at-grade...no need for underpass. Junction operating to tramway stds can clear LRVs much more quickly that HR....so at grade junction capacity more than enough to handle potential future services inc those from west when full connection to Cardiff west throat delivered.
Offline
User avatar

Msmurf

  • Posts: 295
  • Joined: Tue Aug 01, 2017 4:21 am

Re: Metro

PostMon Mar 18, 2024 1:27 pm

Ok - I get the 'at grade' junction now. But I think it is a missed opportunity not to have a stop at Callaghan Square. Central Sation to Callaghan Square to Butetown is 400m between stations which is supposedley the optimum for tram stops (as opposed to rail).
Build it and they will come.
Get it wrong and they will fall off.
Offline

dazplott

  • Posts: 78
  • Joined: Wed Oct 22, 2014 8:53 pm

Re: Metro

PostSat Aug 17, 2024 10:20 pm

This is interesting. Suggests a radical redesign of Callaghan Square for CrossRail Phase 1a
https://cardiff.moderngov.co.uk/documen ... g0eBCBylxQ
Offline

Ash

  • Posts: 1055
  • Joined: Wed Jul 30, 2014 12:28 pm

Re: Metro

PostSun Aug 18, 2024 4:34 pm

dazplott wrote:This is interesting. Suggests a radical redesign of Callaghan Square for CrossRail Phase 1a


There's an awful lot in there which I think is new. These stood out for me.

A commitment to introduce 4tph on the City and Coryton lines by 2026. This is an absolute no-brainer as the population density around the stations on these two lines in greater, on average, than the populations in the Taff, Cynon and Rhondda valleys which are due to have a 4tph service in the near future.

Connecting the crossrail line to the Penarth line via a ramp (presumably at Cardiff Central) and opening a new stop at the Pumping Station. Again a no-brainer.

There's some seriously joined-up thinking here - something the Metro has at times lacked,
Offline
User avatar

Msmurf

  • Posts: 295
  • Joined: Tue Aug 01, 2017 4:21 am

Re: Metro

PostSun Aug 18, 2024 6:36 pm

I agree - some very sensible proposals.... And a first glimpse of new Central Station South...
Build it and they will come.
Get it wrong and they will fall off.
Offline
User avatar

Msmurf

  • Posts: 295
  • Joined: Tue Aug 01, 2017 4:21 am

Re: Metro

PostWed Aug 21, 2024 3:56 am

I was thinking about the Pumping Station Station - I assume this is just a working name and it will probably be called Penarth Road.

There is a lot of space available for car parking on the Penarth Road side of the station so I assume this will be developed into a Park & Ride facility serving Vale of Glamorgan.

On the gasholder side there is a large undeveloped area - this will become prime land with a metro station next to it . Any idea who owns the land- maybe Cardiff Council? It is already included in LDP for housing development for 500 homes.

This is looking like a very well joined up piece of thinking...
Build it and they will come.
Get it wrong and they will fall off.
Offline

LRcardiff

  • Posts: 74
  • Joined: Thu Sep 26, 2019 11:48 am

Re: Metro

PostWed Aug 21, 2024 9:45 am

While it’s exciting to see the plans I think it’s a disaster to cut Bute Street off from Bute Terrace. From what I can see by the plans there’s lots of new green space being created in the existing Callaghan’s Square (which is genuinely great) and some kind of structure is being placed in the middle of where the road could still continue alongside the cycle lane.

It means all traffic from Cardiff Bay (and anyone who’s travel from West Wales on A4323) who want to get into town or use the John Lewis and St Davids Car Park will have to use the central link and add more congestion to the frequently gridlocked Adams Street past the University of South Wales. This situation is made especially worse as traffic from Splott (and South East Wales on the A4323) won’t be able to use Tyndall street either to access town, more pressure is going to be put on Newport Road and the already slow traffic lights at Fitzalan Place.

Another solution would be to make Custom House Street two way accessible to all traffic and allow drivers to turn right from lower St Mary Street between the Clayton and new Premier Inn but doubt that would happen either!
Offline

Mplan3

  • Posts: 18
  • Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2023 2:01 pm
  • Location: Cardiff/Sheffield

Re: Metro

PostWed Aug 21, 2024 10:50 am

LRcardiff wrote:While it’s exciting to see the plans I think it’s a disaster to cut Bute Street off from Bute Terrace. From what I can see by the plans there’s lots of new green space being created in the existing Callaghan’s Square (which is genuinely great) and some kind of structure is being placed in the middle of where the road could still continue alongside the cycle lane.

It means all traffic from Cardiff Bay (and anyone who’s travel from West Wales on A4323) who want to get into town or use the John Lewis and St Davids Car Park will have to use the central link and add more congestion to the frequently gridlocked Adams Street past the University of South Wales. This situation is made especially worse as traffic from Splott (and South East Wales on the A4323) won’t be able to use Tyndall street either to access town, more pressure is going to be put on Newport Road and the already slow traffic lights at Fitzalan Place.

Another solution would be to make Custom House Street two way accessible to all traffic and allow drivers to turn right from lower St Mary Street between the Clayton and new Premier Inn but doubt that would happen either!

I have to agree. This was the only major issue I found with the project. Even as someone who generally supports closing streets off to through traffic this one doesn't add up. The diversion required to get between Bute Terrace and Callaghan Square would require going via Tyndall Street and Windsor Rd, both of which would massively degrade the local areas if subjected to significantly increased traffic volumes on a regular basis.

Additionally, while we should be encouraging people to travel to town by public transport and bike etc. I do not feel that it is in the interest of the city to make access to the major carparks significantly more complicated. All this will do is discourage patronage of the city centre. Slowing down traffic and improving walking and cycling routes will make the city more pleasant to walk and cycle around without prohibiting vehicle movements. Closing off streets that do not have active frontages and low pedestrian footfalls should not be a priority of the scheme when the potential consequences for the city centre outweigh any potential benefits.

Closing off a street like Castle Street to private vehicles would at least bring benefits to businesses and pedestrians on a high footfall route, even if there are negatives for other areas of the city. I struggle to see who benefits from closing the top of Bute Street. There are no businesses, low footfall, and pedestrians are already separated from car traffic. The only way I can rationalise this decision is that it was cut off to avoid further complicating the junction between Tyndall St, Bute St, and the tram. I hope that this junction will have tram priority so that trams don't have to wait at traffic lights. This would result in only car drivers suffering the consequences of extra cycles being added to the traffic lights, a consequence I imagine most would prefer over any longer route to city centre car parks. There are 3 lanes of traffic under the railway at the top of Bute St and it is completely feasible to convert one to a two way bike lane to keep the improved cycling infrastructure without closing the road off completely.
PreviousNext

Return to Cardiff Wales Map forum

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 8 guests