Views Sought On First Phase Of Stag Square Improvements

Following Cabinet’s decision to progress with a number of improvements to the Stag Square junction, the first phase of consultation with those affected by proposals is set to begin shortly. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The proposals being consulted on are focused on the relocation of bus stops and the introduction of loading restrictions which, coupled with traffic light improvements and the closure of the Chapel Street Junction and introduction of a footway across the junction to allow unrestricted and protected pedestrian movement along the east side of Stag Square, are aimed at improving the traffic flow and reducing congestion at peak times around this busy junction. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The revised proposals were approved after Cabinet decided not to progress with the original concept of a shared space scheme due to an ongoing review which is expected to question the benefits of such schemes. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, Councillor Andrew Morgan, said: “Cabinet have listened to the objections raised to the shared space scheme originally proposed for the Stag Square Junction. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“I fully appreciate that people now want to see some action and this is why officers have been instructed to engage with residents on the revised proposals as quickly as possible. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The first stage of consultation will be on proposals to introduce loading restrictions near to the junction during peak hours and to relocate the bus stop outside of the Dental Practice further along the road to outside the Post Office. The aim of these proposals is to reduce the frequent hold ups behind lorries, vans and buses in close proximity to the Stag Square Junction which can lead to long queues. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Combined with the proposals to improve the efficiency of the junction’s traffic lights, these changes will have a positive impact and will reduce congestion during peak times. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Whilst perhaps not as radical as the original proposal, we have had to take into account the views of those who were against the shared space concept and the national picture with an ongoing review of central guidance expected to question some of the previously anticipated benefits of shared space schemes when it is released. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“As residents and visitors to the area will be only too aware one of the major reasons this issue has not been successfully addressed before is because of the complexities of the Stag Square junction and space available to make changes. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“However, the proposals now being consulted on are set to benefit the Upper Rhondda Fawr as a whole by improving traffic flow around this junction.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Those directly affected by the proposed changes will be written to and responses to the consultation can be made via e-mail to trafficservices@rctcbc.gov.uk. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​