10 years of St Mary Street pedestrianisation
Posted: Fri Feb 28, 2020 6:34 am
Well, almost 10 years.
I was discussing with a friend yesterday whether the regeneration that pedestrianisation was expected to bring about has come to fruition? Whether a decade on it can be deemed a success?
I personally had mixed feelings. I certainly wouldn’t like to see traffic streaming along the street again any time soon, It’s become a good thoroughfare for cyclists and pedestrians. But I don’t think it’s drawn more people and business to the street like hoped, if anything Retail has all but gone apart from HoF, Central Market and a few others. It’s become almost a holding pen for match days and for drunks after clubs kick out to pick up fast food. Also issues around homelessness and drug use. But, I think pedestrianisation has worked well for High St/Castle Quarter end where there are less bars and away from the stadium, they do seem to use the street for outdoor seating and theyve put time and money into rebranding that area.
I also wonder how much the loss of the bus station has affected things. Since I know I used to take the bus all the way to the bus station often and St Mary St would be my first port of call. Atleast on my bus from East Cardiff, most people now seemingly get off near Queen St. I wonder if once the bus station opens this will change things for St Mary St.
I wonder if Central Square will bring about a Renaissance for St Mary St. It’s the most architecturally interesting street in the city centre in my opinion, probably the first street visitors will go down when leaving the station, but I still don’t think it’s living up to it’s potential.
Any thoughts?
I was discussing with a friend yesterday whether the regeneration that pedestrianisation was expected to bring about has come to fruition? Whether a decade on it can be deemed a success?
I personally had mixed feelings. I certainly wouldn’t like to see traffic streaming along the street again any time soon, It’s become a good thoroughfare for cyclists and pedestrians. But I don’t think it’s drawn more people and business to the street like hoped, if anything Retail has all but gone apart from HoF, Central Market and a few others. It’s become almost a holding pen for match days and for drunks after clubs kick out to pick up fast food. Also issues around homelessness and drug use. But, I think pedestrianisation has worked well for High St/Castle Quarter end where there are less bars and away from the stadium, they do seem to use the street for outdoor seating and theyve put time and money into rebranding that area.
I also wonder how much the loss of the bus station has affected things. Since I know I used to take the bus all the way to the bus station often and St Mary St would be my first port of call. Atleast on my bus from East Cardiff, most people now seemingly get off near Queen St. I wonder if once the bus station opens this will change things for St Mary St.
I wonder if Central Square will bring about a Renaissance for St Mary St. It’s the most architecturally interesting street in the city centre in my opinion, probably the first street visitors will go down when leaving the station, but I still don’t think it’s living up to it’s potential.
Any thoughts?