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Report to the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport
A Cardiff Capital Region Metro:Impact Study:
Regeneration and The Metro
October 2013
Hirwaun
Treherbert Aberdare
MaestegTalbot Green
Pontyclun
Culverhouse Cross
Ely Mill
Cardiff Airport
Barry Porth TeigrPenarth
Sports VillageCardiff Bay
ChepstowLlanwern
Severn Tunnel Junction
Bridgend
Porth
Pontypridd Ystrad Mynach
Caerphilly
Cwmbran
Newport
Newbridge
Pontypool
Queen Street
Bargoed
Merthyr Tydfil
Abergavenny
Abertillery
Rhymney TredegarEbbw Vale Brynmawr
Blackwood
Cross Keys
Cardiff Gate
Heath
Cardiff Central
Porthcawl
Caerleon
PillBristol
Taffs Well
North West Cardiff
Abercynon
StMellons
Regeneration & the Metro
Transit Led Regeneration Opportunities
October 2013
Collaboration by design
This document has been prepared by:
on behalf of:
The Welsh Assembly Government(Department of the Economy, Science and Transport)
October 2013
Prepared by:
James Brown: Director Liam Hopkins: Development Planner
Powell Dobson UrbanistsCharterhouseLinks Business ParkSt MellonsCardiffCF3 0LT
Document Revision 5 (October 2013)
All plans within this document are:
Reproduced from Ordnance Survey with permission of the controller of Her Majesty’s Stationary Office (C) Crown copyright.
Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution/civil proceedings.
Licence No 100054593
Old Market Square, Nottingham
The Metro
1.0 Introduction p.6
2.0 Regeneration Framework
Welsh Government Regeneration Policy p.9
Connectivity to Employment p.9
Twentyfirstcenturybusinesspractice p.10
Education,SkillsandYoungpeople p.10
ASustainablePopulation p.11
PlacemakingandTownCentreVitality p.11
HousingSupplyandDesign p.16
SustainingandPromotingTourism p.20
Health p.21
EnvironmentandSustainability p.21
Summary:ALiveableCapitalCityRegion p.22
3.0 Metro Interventions Regeneration Overview
Making Better Use of the Existing Network p.23
EbbwValetoNewport p.24
North West Corridor p.26
Relief line from Cardiff Central to Newport & Llanwern p.26
Rapid Transit Cardiff p.29
Rapid Transit in Newport p.29
NewporttoAbergavenny p.30
RegionalBusRapidTransit p.31
CardiffAirport p.34
InterchangeEnhancements p.34
4.0 Regeneration Opportunities
Central Cardiff and the Bay p.35
Contents Page
Introduction 01
Regeneration & The Metro 5
The Metro
North West Corridor p.38
BarryandSt.Athan p.41
Bridgend p.45
TheYstradMynachCorridor p.47
MerthyrTydfil p.50
EbbwVale p.55
CwmbranandPontypool p.59
Newport p.61
5.0 Conclusion and Recommendations p.65
6.0 Bibliography p.66
Introduction 01
Introduction
Regeneration is about making places more resil ient to change.
RegenerationactivityinSouthEastWalesinparticular,hasfocusedonaddressingproblemscausedbystructuraleconomicchangeandthesocietalandenvironmentalconsequencesofthisshift.
In the most successful projects, regeneration has addressed these legacy issues, whilst simultaneously equipping a place to operate effectively in a new context. The regeneration of Cardiff Bay is a good example of this kind of transformation.
The proposed Metro system is a strategic opportunity to address weaknesses in the Capital City Regionwhilstequippingitwiththeinfrastructurethatitneedstobecomeasuccessfultwenty-firstcenturycity-region.TheregenerationobjectiveoftheMetroistomaketheCapitalCityRegionamoresuccessfulandliveablecity.
TheMetroisauniqueprojectbecauseithasthepotentialtoenabletheregiontobecome:
• More economically prosperous;
• Less reliant on fossil fuels;
• Moresociallyequitable;
• Better connected and convenient;
• Ahighprofiletourismdestination;
• Arecognisableplacetoinvest;and
• Synonymous as a place with a high standard of living.
ThispapersetsouthowtheMetrocanmakeasubstantialcontributiontothefuturewellbeingof the Capital City Region so that the most populated part of Wales is recognised as one of the mostliveableandvariedconurbationsintheworld.
Section 2 provides a thematic explanation of how the Metro will respond to key regeneration themes, Section 3 provides an overview of the regeneration opportunities associated with the MetroandSection4exploreshowtheMetrowillrespondtotheuniqueopportunitiesofdifferentplaces throughout the Capital City Region.
1.0 Introduction
Regeneration & The Metro 7
Introduction
Introduction 01
About the Global Liveability Report
The Economist Intelligence Unit’s liveabilityratingquantifiesthechallengesthatmightbepresentedtoanindividual'slifestylein140citiesworldwide.Eachcityisassignedascoreforover30qualitative and quantitative factors acrossfivebroadcategories:
• Stability
• Healthcare
• Culture and environment
• Education
• Infrastructure
The categories are compiled and weighted to provide an overall rating of 1–100,where1isconsideredintolerableand100isconsideredideal.In2013thefollowing cities were ranked as follows:
1. Melbourne
2. Vienna
3. Vancouver
4. Toronto
5. Calgary
6. Adelaide
7. Sydney
8. Helsinki
9. Perth
10.Auckland
Incidentally, eight of these cities have twentyfirstcenturytram/lightrailsystemsand two of the cities are currently planning such a system.
Section 02
Regeneration Framework
This section describes the impact of the Metro on key legacy issues and identif ies how the Metro wil l create a liveable Capital City Region.
The section explores this through the following key themes:
• Contributingtoexistingregenerationpriorities;
• Connectivitytoemployment(andconsequentlinkstopublichealth);
• Supporting21stcenturybusinesspractices;
• Impactofincreasedmobilityonyoungpeople;
• Redistributionofregionalpopulationpatterns;
• Placemaking and town centre vitality;
• Housing supply and design;
• Tourism and image; and
• WelshGovernmentvisionforasustainableWales.
2.0 A Liveable Capital City Region
Cardiff:a21stCenturyliveableCapitalCityRegion?
Regeneration & The Metro 9
Regeneration Framework
Section 02
2.1 Welsh Government Regeneration Policy
VibrantandViablePlaces(2013)setsoutanewnationalregenerationframeworkthatseekstoestablishamoreintegrated way of reversing economic, social and physical decline throughout Wales. In the framework an improved transportnetworkisidentifiedas“a key building block” of the new approach, since its “availability and accessibility influence where people live and work, their leisure options, and their opportunities to interact with friends family and the wider community” 1.
The Metro will increase connectivity throughout South East Wales and provide the infrastructure that is required to facilitatetheinvestmentnecessarytoenabletheCapitalCityRegionanditscommunitiestodevelop,transformandregenerate. It therefore has an integral role to perform in delivering wider national regeneration aspirations.
2.2 Connectivity to Employment
TheMetrowillimprovethefrequency,imageandgeographicreachofthepublictransportnetworkandincreasetheease with which people from throughout the region can access employment opportunities.
Removing Barriers to Employment.
Improvingpublictransportwillremoveoneofthekeybarrierstoemployment:pooraccessibility.Byimprovingconnectivitytoplacesthatcurrentlyreceivelimitedrailservices,theMetrowillbroadentherangeofjobsthatpeoplecan access and have a positive impact on economic activity levels in those settlements currently disconnected from theregion’spublictransportnetwork2.
Forexample,MerthyrTydfilandEbbwValecurrentlyreceivehalf-hourlyandhourlytrainservices.However,followingtheimplementationoftheproposedMetrointerventionsbothsettlementswillbenefitfromimprovedservicefrequency,whichwillprovideresidentswithincreasedtravelflexibilityandimproveddoor-to-doorjourneytimestoemploymentopportunitiesavailablenotonlyinCardiff,butinplaceslikeNewport,PontypriddandYstradMynach3.
InthisrespecttheMetrowillmeetthedemandforimprovedaccesstoeconomicopportunitiesbypublictransport,whichthereopeningoftheEbbwValelinein2008clearlydemonstratesexiststhroughouttheCapitalCityRegion4.
Crucially,theMetrowillalsohelptocreateanetworkofsustainableandprosperouscommunitiesthroughouttheCapitalCityRegionthroughunlockinglocaldevelopmentopportunitiesthatenablekeysettlementstobecomevibrantsub-regionalemploymenthubs.Forinstance,theMetrowillincreasetheviabilityofredevelopingdevelopmentsiteslikePentrebachandTheWorks,andhelptoprovidelocalemploymentopportunitiesthatareimmediatelyaccessibleto local people.
1VibrantandViablePlaces,2013,p.27
2 ResearchundertakenbyWelshGovernmentintothepotentialimpactofelectrifyingtheValleysLineNetworksuggeststhatsubjectto affordabilityelectrificationcouldallowresidentstoaccessmoreemploymentopportunitiesinthewidernetwork.WilltheVLEStrategyReducetheBarrierstoEmploymentfortheEconomicallyInactiveLivinginthePoorestPartsoftheValleys?WelshGovernmentSocialResearch,2013,pp.51-52.
3 FollowingenhancementimprovementsMerthyrwillreceivefourtrainservicesperhour.EbbwValemeanwhilewillinitiallyreceivetwotrainsperhour,whichcouldbeextendedinthelongtermtothreeorfourservicesperhourdependingontheviabilityofundertakingthenecessaryengineering works.
4In2011676,000passengersusedtheEbbwValelineservice.Thisexceededestimatedpassengerusageby69%.ATWSETAUpdate(March2012).
Section 02
Regeneration Framework
Thiswillbuildupontheworkoftheregion’sCommunitiesFirstClusterswhocollaboratewiththemostdisadvantagedanddeprivedcommunities,andhelptodelivertheTacklingPovertyActionPlan(2012),whichstatesthat,the“best route out of poverty is through employment” 5.
ToensurethatthelocallabourmarketisequippedtotakeadvantageoftheopportunitiesthattheMetrowillhelptodeliveritwillbenecessarytoengagewithallregenerationbodiestoidentifyhowtheMetrocanrespondtobespokeregenerationopportunities.Furtherworkaroundskillsandeducationwillbenecessarytoensurethatthepathwaystoemployment exist as well as the transport connections to economic activity.
2.3 Twenty First Century Business Practice
Just as the Metro will increase the ease with which people can access employment opportunities it will also help emergingentrepreneursandsmallandmediumsizedbusinessesbyprovidingtheconnectivitythatwillfacilitateagglomerativeeconomicactivityandmakeiteasiertodevelopandnurturebusinessrelationshipsacrosstheregion.
Connectivity and Innovation
Thelatterwillbeparticularlyhelpfulto‘startup’businessesandwillresponddirectlytotheincreasinglyflexiblewaythatentrepreneursareundertakingbusiness.Businessinthetwenty-firstcenturyislikelytobecomemoremobileanddisaggregatedandthespeedoftransportandfastInternetconnectionswillbecomecriticalpreconditionsforavibranteconomy.Inaneconomydefinedbytechnologicalinnovation,andwhereknowledgeandcreativethinkingareincreasinglyimportant,manyentrepreneursrequiretheflexibilitythatallowsthemtoseekoutandaccessbusinessopportunities.Inthissense,therollingstockoftheMetrohasthepotentialtobecomeaplacewherepeoplecanworkwhilsttheyaretravellingtotheofficeormeetings.
Flexible Working Patterns
InWalescompaniessuchasIndycuberepresentthechangingnatureofentrepreneurialpractice.IndycubeisaCommunityInterestCompanythatrentsoutflexibleofficespacetoentrepreneursandhomeworkerswhowantadaptableaccesstohighqualityofficefacilities,butalsothepeeradvice,supportandnetworkingandbusinessopportunitiesthatresultfromworkinginasharedenvironment.TodatethecompanyhasanetworkofofficesinCardiff,NewportandSwansea,butasaresultofdemandisintheprocessofimplementinganambitiousgrowthstrategythatwillresultintheopeningofafurther25officesoverthenext18monthsthroughoutSouthWales.
WhiletheMetrohaslittleopportunitytohelptherealisationofthisambitiousshort-termtarget,thelastingconnectivitythatitwilldeliverwillhelptosecurethelong-termfutureofcompaniessuchasIndycube,asentrepreneursseektogrow and expand.
IncreasedconnectivityandflexibilitywillalsocomplementpublicsectorledinitiativesliketheWelshCentreforInnovationExcellence.ThisisbasedinCaerphillyBusinessParkandwassetupin2012toprovideaflexibleandinventive facility for emerging entrepreneurs from throughout South East Wales to explore, test and develop their businessideasthroughcollaborationwithotherentrepreneurs.TheMetrowillincreasetheaccessibilityofthecentretoemergingentrepreneursandhelpthecentretofulfilitsambitiontocreateagrowingcommunityofentrepreneurs.
2.4 Education, Skil ls and Young People
TheimprovedconnectivitydeliveredbytheMetrowillmakeiteasierforprospectivestudentstoaccessfurthereducationandvocationaltrainingcentresthroughoutSouthEastWalesbypublictransport.Forexample,anew5 TacklingPovertyActionPlan,2012–2016,2012,p.3
Regeneration & The Metro 11
Regeneration Framework
Section 02
stationatGabalfawillincreasetheaccessibilityoftheCardiffMetropolitanLlandafcampustostudentsthroughouttheregion,whiletheextensionoftheAberdarerailwaylinetoHirwaunwillincreasetheconnectivityoflocalstudentstopost-16educationopportunitiesinColegMorgannwg’sAberdarecampus.Thisimprovedconnectivitythroughoutthe region will encourage more individuals to enter into further education and vocational training, which will have a positiveimpactontheskillandknowledgelevelsoftheregionallabourmarket.
Although increased access to education and training opportunities will have a positive impact on people of all ages, it willhaveaparticularlysignificantimpactonyoungpeople,andwillhelptoachieveWelshGovernment’saspirationforall young people to have access to a “comprehensive range of education and learning opportunities” 6.
Furthermore,theMetrowillcomplementanumberofpublicsectorledinitiativessuchasJobsGrowthWales,whichareseekingtoequipyoungpeoplewiththeskillsandexperiencetodevelopsuccessfulcareers.JobsGrowthWalesitselfwaslaunchedin2012toprovideunemployedyoungpeopleaged16-24,whoarejobreadybutwhohavestruggledtosecureemployment,withajobopportunityforsixmonths.AsaresultoftheMetrotheregionwillbebetterconnectedbypublictransport,andparticipantsoftheprogrammewillhaveaccesstoincreasedjobopportunities across a wider geographical area.
TheMetrowillalsoimprovegeneralqualityoflifeenjoyedbyyoungpeople,throughimprovingconnectivitytocultural, sporting and leisure attractions throughout the Capital City Region. Together with improved education and training opportunities, the latter are key components of Welsh Government’s seven core aims for young people 7.
2.5 A Sustainable Population
TheMetrowillhelptobuildsustainablecommunitieswherecitizenscanenjoyahighqualitylifestylesupportedbyconnectivitytolocalandregionalemployment,business,educationandleisureopportunities.Thiswillhelptoreverse the outward migration of young people from the region, and ensure that, instead of losing educated and skilledindividualstoeconomicopportunitieselsewhereintheUK,theCapitalCityRegionisviewedasafulfillingplace to live and work.
2.6 Placemaking and Town Centre Vitality
VibrantandViablePlacespromotesa“place-based approach” to regeneration, and advocates that through targeted investmentandimprovementstotowncentresitwillbepossibletocreatea“developmental hub” that will have a “wider economic impact as a place of employment, leisure activity and public services” 8. Town centres are therefore identifiedintheframeworkaskeyprioritiesforregenerationinvestment.
TheMetrowillhelptofacilitatethisapproachthroughoutSouthEastWalesbyestablishingnumeroustowncentresas the gateways to the regional transport network. This focus will stimulate footfall in each centre and potentially re-establishtheregionstowncentresashighlyconnectedplacesofemployment.Inmanyways,thisupgradeinconnectivitycouldmeanthattowncentres,insteadoflocationswithoutgoodaccessibility,becomethepreferredlocationsforinvestmentinnewjobs.TheMetrowillestablishplaceslikePontypridd,MerthyrTydfilandEbbwValetowncentresaskeyhubs,andencouragehigherfootfallwithinthesekindsofsettlements(aspeoplefromsurroundingareascommutethroughthecentretoaccessthewidernetwork),whichcanstimulateprivatesectorinvestment.
6http://wales.gov.uk/topics/childrenyoungpeople/rights/sevencoreaims/?lang=en
7http://wales.gov.uk/topics/childrenyoungpeople/rights/sevencoreaims/?lang=en
8VibrantandViablePlaces,p.20
Section 02
Regeneration Framework
Maximising the regeneration potential of the Metro regarding town centre vitality will require any station improvementstobeverycarefullydesigned.Itisessentialthatthebriefforthedevelopmentorimprovementofstations incorporates some important principles and that these are considered at the inception of the project. These are:
• The spaces around the station are as important as the station itself;
• Theneedsofdifferenttransportmodesneedtobecarefullymanaged;
• Creating a strong sense of arrival is important;
• Stationsecurityneedstobeintegratedintotheoveralldesign,ratherthanbeconsideredasan‘addon’;
• Stationscanbeanchorsofmixedusedevelopmentsandthepotentialforinterventionsthatcouldbecomemorethanjustastationshouldbeconsideredattheoutset;
• Stations need to address changes in level carefully to ensure that they are effectively integrated into their surrounding townscape;
• Stations create opportunities to connect places either side of a railway track and cross line connectivity shouldbeasimportantascontrollingfareevasion;
• Station design needs to convey character of the region in a way which is integrated and meaningful, rather thansuperficialandtokenistic;
• Stationsshouldbeconsideredasthehubofotheractivitiesandthereforemorethanjustapieceoffunctional transport infrastructure; and
• Multi-disciplinarycollaborationisessential.Experiencefromothermajorinfrastructureprojectssuggeststhatmono-disciplinaryinterpretationoftheaboveprincipleswillnotresultinsuccessfulschemes.
Impact on Sense of Place
The implementation of Metro interventions provides the opportunity to enhance the sense of place of many of the regions town centres. For instance, an improved or new Metro station will create an opportunity to improve the sense ofarrivalandmayevenstimulatesufficientfootfalltocatalysedemandfornewhighdensitymixedusedevelopment.Bydesigningtheseplacestoreflectlocal,characterandheritagetheMetrocanbeknittedintothetowncentreandpromotetheregionsdistinctiveidentity.Thisprocesswillsubstantiallysupporttheneedtobroadentherangeofusesintowncentresbeyondretailbyincorporatingnewplacestowork,opportunitiesfortourismaswellasnewhomes.
In this respect the Metro will complement ongoing town centre regeneration initiatives such as the recommendations oftheBusinessRatesWalesReview:IncentivisingGrowth(2012)andBusinessImprovementDistricts9.
InordertoensurethattheMetrohasatransformationalimpactontowncentres,itsimplementationneedstobealignedascloselyaspossibletocurrenttowncentreregenerationinitiativesandtheworkoforganisationsliketheCentreforRegenerationExcellenceWales(CREW).ItisrecommendedthatCREWshouldbeakeyconsulteeduringfutureMetroworkstoensurethatallopportunitiesforcollaborationwithongoingtowncentreregenerationinitiativesareexplored.InteractionwithotherWelshGovernmentdepartmentsandLocalAuthoritieswillalsobeimportant.
9http://wales.gov.uk/topics/businessandeconomy/regeneration/business-improvement-districts/?lang=en
Regeneration & The Metro 13
Regeneration Framework
Section 02
TheentrancetoClaphamJunctionstationwhichcombinesan effective space in front of the main entrance that creates a meeting space as well as functional requirements for different modes of transport.
The new Reitlandpark railway station in a new district of Amsterdam demonstrateshowastationseparatedbyachangeoflevelcanbeintegratedintoitssurroundingurbancontext.
Initialdesignconcepttodemonstratehowatram/trainconnectiontoCardiffBaycanalsoovercomebarriersbetweenButetownanditssurroundings.ThisexampledemonstrateshowLoudenSquarecanbeintegratedintoboththeMetro,andthewiderarea.
Potential new development
Section 02
Regeneration Framework
IllustrationwhichhighlightshowEbbwValeTheWorksStationmightlookandhowthisappearancehasbeeninformedbythepaletteofmaterialsthatarealreadyadoptedonotherpublicbuildingsonTheWorkssite.Thisimagesetsastrongprecedentforhownewstationsthroughoutthenetwork should deploy regional vernacular to emphasise sense of place and regional identity.
Regeneration & The Metro 15
Regeneration Framework
Section 02
Exampleofmixedusedevelopmentwhichbenefitsfromhighand constant footfall around a railway station.
High quality landscaping and planting at Kew Gardens station creates asenseofarrivalthatreflectsitslocation.
ProposalsfornewParistramstationwhichdemonstrateshowarangeofsimple,butcarefullycoordinateditemscangreatlycontributetotheimage of the Metro. It is recommended that a similar design exercise is carried out to coordinate the design of station elements. This will ensure that the appearance of the stations are coordinated and visually distinctive.
Section 02
Regeneration Framework
10http://www.rcthomes.co.uk/main.cfm?type=PORTHCWLIS&object_id=2745andhttp://www.insidehousing.co.uk/finance/first-welsh-‘club’-bond-to-go-ahead/6527222.article
11PlanningPolicyWales,2012,p.53
12http://www.plan4sustainabletravel.org/key_themes/density/
2.7 Housing Supply and Design
TheimprovedregionalconnectivitydeliveredbytheMetrowillunlockopportunitiesfornewhousingdevelopment.Increasedconnectivitywillreducesomeofthebarrierstoviabilityonarangeofsitesthroughouttheregion.Thiswillhelptomeetlocalhousingneedandimprovethequalityofaccommodationavailablethroughouttheregion.Thelatter is particularly important within the context of the Capital City Region approach to economic development, since itwillensurethattheregion’shousingstockisofsufficientsizeandqualitytosupportalabourmarketwiththecriticalmass required to attract investment and deliver economic growth.
Affordable Housing
TheMetrowillalsohelptofacilitatethedeliveryofmoreaffordablehomesthroughoutSouthEastWalesbyhelpingtocreateanenvironmentthatmakesiteasierforHousingAssociationstobuildnewhomes.CurrentlyanumberofaffordabledevelopmentprogrammessuchastheRCTHomesledPothcwlisinitiativeandtheWelshHousingClubBonddemonstratethatRegisteredSocialLandlords(RSLs)arebeginningtoadoptamoreinnovativeapproachtodelivering development 10.
Improvedconnectivitywillincreasetherangeofsitesthatcanbeviablydeveloped,andmakeiteasierforRSLstofindsuitabledevelopmentpartners.ThiswillhelptoassistthegradualchangeinapproachofRSLstoenablingdevelopment,whichboththePothcwlisandWelshHousingClubBondprogrammesdemonstrateisstartingtotakeplace,andcontributetothecreationofthousandsofnewaffordablehomesthatwilladdresshousingneedthroughoutthe South East Wales region.
RSLswillbeakeydevelopmentpartnerinrealisingthisaim,sinceasaresultoftheUnderOccupancy(BedroomTax)RSLsareincreasinglyseekingtobuildsmallerunitsonsitesthatareconnectedbypublictransporttoemployment opportunities. Aside from this current Government policy and demographic changes suggest that there isalong-termtrendforthecreationofagreaternumberofsmallerhouseholds.Neitherthecurrenthousingsupplynor the approach of mainstream residential developers will meet this demand.
Inordertodevelopaco-ordinatedapproachtoimprovingtheinterfacebetweenlandusesandtransport,increasingdensities,facilitatingplacemakingandencouragingmoreSMEstoenterthemarketfurtherconsultationwillberequiredwith,LocalAuthorities,CREWandCommunityHousingCymru.Thelatterinparticularwillbeakeyimplementationpartner,sincethegrouprepresentsover70not-forprofithousingassociationsandisattheforefrontofimprovinginnovativesocialhousingpractice,astheirroleasco-ordinationsoftheWelshHousingClubBondprogramme demonstrates.
Metro Compliant Housing Density
Inaddition,whereMetroinfrastructureandnewdevelopmentopportunitiesarealignedtherewillbeanopportunitytodevelophigherdensityresidentialdevelopment.ThisapproachisinlinewithPlanningPolicyWales(2012),whichadvises, “higher density development, including residential development, should be encouraged near public transport nodes or near corridors well served by public transport” 11.PlanningforSustainableTraveladvocatesthatdependingonlocalcontextupto50-100dwellingsperhectarecanbeachievedinmanyareas,andeven“100-200 dwellings per hectare around important public transport interchanges” 12.
Regeneration & The Metro 17
Regeneration Framework
Section 02
WhilethelatterwillnotbeappropriatethroughouttheentireCardiffCityRegionitisrecommendedthatdensitiesadjacenttokeytransportinterchangesinthemoreurbanisedareasoftheregionshouldbemaximised.Furtherworkisrequiredtotesttheimpactuponsiteviabilityofpromotingsuchhighdensities,giventhatthehousebuildingindustryisgearedtowardsdevelopingsitesataround35-40dwellingsperhectare.
Thepromotionofhousetypesthataresuitedtocarbased,suburbandevelopmentsshouldnotdictatethelayoutofnewplacesthataredevelopedadjacenttotheMetronetwork.InareaswherenewplacesarebeingcreatedalongsideMetroinitiativesthentheseplacesneedtobedevelopedusingamixtureofhousetypesandarrangedinlayoutsthatpromoteaccessbywalking,cycling,theMetroandbus.Whilstcaraccesswillremainimportant(thispaperisnotadvocatingcarfreedevelopments)thekeysellingpointofnewhousingdevelopmentlocatedclosetoMetrostationswillbeMetroenabledconnectivity.Thisconnectivitycanbeunderminedbypoorqualityurbandesign.Wherenecessary/applicableLocalPlanningAuthoritiesshouldissueSupplementaryPlanningGuidancetoestablishabenchmarkforthekindofdevelopmentthatwillbesupportedadjacenttotheMetro,andconsequentlythekindthatwill not.
WheretheMetrodoesfacilitateresidentialdevelopment(specificallyhigherdensity)itwillbeimportantthatcleardesign principles are put in place to integrate new development into the transport network and crucially create asenseofplacethatreflectslocaldistinctivenessandoffersresidentsaplacetolivethatishumane,vibrantand stimulating. The proposed North West Corridor Metro intervention provides the ideal opportunity to test the recommendedprinciplesandapproach,sincethesurroundingarea(WaterhalltoTalbotGreen)hasbeenidentifiedasthepreferredlocationforinexcessof10,000newhomes.
Densitiesadjacenttokeytransportinterchangesinmoreurbanisedareasshouldbemaximised.
Section 02
Regeneration Framework
Upton, Northhampton
Upton in Northampton marks a radical departurefromthetypicalcul-de-sacbasedsuburbandevelopmentwhichmightbeexpectedinalocationsuchasthis.
EnglishPartnershipsheldEnquirybyDesignworkshopsin1999and2001and created a masterplan and design code,controllingthequalityofurbanismand ensuring strict environmental and buildingdesignstandards.
Approximately1,200newresidenceswillbeprovidedinsuccessivephases.Phase1wasdevelopedbyPaulNewmanNewHomes,andthis3.7hectaresiteincludesjustover200homes(55dwellingsperhectare)withamixofhigherdensitytownhouses and apartments, as well as semi-detachedanddetachedhomes.
The second development area, developedbyCornhillEstatesandFaircloughHomesusesanumberofrenewabletechnologiesandwonthe prestigious Building Research Establishment(BRE)Eco-homesAwardin2007.WorkisunderwayonSiteDandatotalof600newhomeshavebeenbuilt.
Uptonischaracterisedbythedensityofunitsandpublicrealmdesignthatpromotes walking and cycling over the private car.
Uptonincludesablendandvarietyofarchitecturalstylesaswellaskindsoftenure.
Interesting mews streets link areas of open space. Largerfamilyhousingisdesignedtofitintoahighdensitylayoutandoverlookspublicopenspace.
Regeneration & The Metro 19
Regeneration Framework
Section 02
Staithes Southbank, Gateshead
Staithes, South Dunston was a collaborationbetweenHemmingwayDesign and George Wimpey Plc. This suburbandevelopmentconsistsof697housesandapartmentsand158havebeencompletedaspartofphaseone.Thedensityofdevelopmentis43dwellings per hectare.
Theschemeboastsaveryclearlogicalstreet layout which is very much geared to the pedestrian. Homes are arranged basedonagridwhichmakesiteasytonavigate and move around.
Car parking is arranged in a mixture of on street and parking courts and thepublicrealmhasbeendesignedbaseduponhomezoneprinciplestopromote active travel and humane environments.
PricelevelsatStaithsSouthbankare,in a national and regional context, affordable,pricesstartedatbelow£70,000andrisingto£225,000.Thewhole development is aimed at private buyersasGatesheadBoroughCouncilhas no social housing requirement due totheirconsiderableexistingstock.
Uptonischaracterisedbythedensityofunitsandpublicrealmdesignthatpromotes walking and cycling over the private car.
Uptonincludesablendandvarietyofarchitecturalstylesaswellaskindsoftenure.
Interesting mews streets link areas of open space.Largerfamilyhousingisdesignedtofitintoahighdensitylayoutandoverlookspublicopenspace.
Section 02
Regeneration Framework
2.8 Sustaining and Promoting Regional Tourism
Tourism2020(2013)identifiesthattourismmakesamajorcontributiontotheWelsheconomy.However,italsostatesthatcompetitionisincreasing,anddestinationswillberequiredtostandoutthroughprovidingabespoketourismofferthatisfoundedonworld-classservice.Thestrategyacknowledgesthatthecurrentnationaltourismstrategyhas made “good progress in taking forward the priorities and actions identified”,butstatesthatmanyofthe“strategic challenges identified in (the current strategy) are still current” 13.
To respond to the strategic challenges and ensure that Wales’s tourism offer stands out on the international stage, the strategy proposes to set a new direction for tourism that will “grow tourism earning in Wales by at least 20% by 2020” 14. To achieve this the strategy advocates a policy of selective growth, which proposes to increase Wales’s share in the international and domestic market. Improving market share in the selected markets of Germany, US and Irelandisidentifiedasessentialtodeliveringthetarget.
Togrowtheshareofthedomesticandinternationaltourismmarkets,thestrategyidentifiesthatfocusedinvestmentwillberequiredtoimprovethequalityandrangeoftheWelshtourismoffer.Improvedaccessibilityisidentifiedinthe strategy as a focus for investment in its own right. The strategy states “it is important that we make it easier for visitors to get to and to move around Wales by car or public transport” 15.
Within this context the Metro is essential to the success of tourism within South East Wales and is integral to the ambitiontogrownationaltourismearningsby20%.SpecificallytheMetrowill‘openup’theSouthEastWalesregionsothatallofitsfeaturescanbeenjoyedinaconcentratedperiod-thecoast,acityandanationalparkallin48hours; improve the experience of visitors travelling to attractions throughout South East Wales; and transform the firstimpressionthatallvisitors(businessandleisure)getwhentheyarriveatkeytransportgatewayssuchasCardiffInternational Airport or Cardiff Central railway station.
Tourists are increasingly seeking out rich and distinctive experiences that are very much rooted in their locale and areidentifiablylinkedtocharacteristicsoftheplace,itsculture,historyandtraditions.TheMetroisanopportunitytoprovidevisitorswithmorethanjustawayofmovingbetweenattractionsbecauseitalsocreatespossibilitiestocommunicate what makes the region distinctive. In this context the Metro itself needs to take care to represent the regionthrough;thedesignofstationsandtheirsurroundings(section2.6),thebrandingoftheMetro,thequalityofother information targeted at visitors and integration with major regional events.
In‘openingup’theregion,greatcareshouldbetakentofocusnotonlyontheefficiencyofthetransportconnectionsbutalsoontheoverallexperienceofusingthenetworkandtheinformationthatthisconveystovisitorsaboutourregion.
ToensuretheMetrohelpstoimprovetheregionaltourismofferitwillbenecessarytointegrateCapitalRegionTourism and Visit Wales into future Metro planning stages. This will ensure that the Metro is equipped to respond to theneedsoftheregionaltourismofferandhelptofacilitatetheTourism2020FrameworkActionsPlans.
13Tourism2020,2013,p.2
14Tourism2020,p.5
15Tourism2020,p.17
Regeneration & The Metro 21
Regeneration Framework
Section 02
2.9 Health
OurHealthyFuture(2011)andTogetherforHealth(2012)arebasedonthepremisethatmostpolicyhassomeimpactonhealth.EstablishinghealthiercommunitiesisthereforeanintegralcomponentoftheholisticapproachtoregenerationadvocatedinVibrantandViablePlaces16.TheMetrowillcontributetoimprovinghealthlevelsthroughaddressingdeprivationbyincreasingconnectivitytoeconomicopportunitiesandeducationandtrainingopportunities,andimprovingthequalityofhousingandtheurbanenvironment.
The Metro will support the active travel agenda represented in the Active Travel Bill, which was laid in the National AssemblyforWalesinFebruary2013.OneofthekeyrequirementsoftheBillisforlocalauthoritiesto“continuously improve facilities and routes for pedestrians and cyclists” 17. The Metro will support this action through encouraging sustainabletraveltothenetworkbyprovidingappropriatecyclerentalandstoragefacilitiesthroughoutthenetwork.It will also act as the focal point for improving local pedestrian and cycle infrastructure through identifying areas whereinfrastructureupgradesshouldbeundertaken.Theprovisionofanewtram/trainstation,forexample,willincreasefootfallthroughtheareasleadingtoeachtransporthubandthereforeframerouteswherepedestrianandcycleinfrastructureupgradesshouldbeprioritised.
The Metro has the potential to encourage active travel.ExamplefromCopenhagenofintegrationbetweentransportmodes.
2.10 Environment and Sustainabil ity
SustainableDevelopmentisakeycomponentofWelshGovernment’sapproachtogovernance,andtheWhitePaperASustainableWalesBetterChoicesforaBetterFuture(2012)marksthenextstepinsettingoutaframeworktoenabletheintegrationofsustainabledevelopmentpracticeintoallaspectofgovernance.CurrentlyOneWales:OnePlanet(2009)setsoutWelshGovernment’svisionforasustainableWales.Inthevisionthepublictransportnetworkhasakeyroletoperform,providing“fast, reliable (and) affordable” connectivity between “major settlements”, and “frequent, reliable mass transit services within cities and more heavily urbanised regions” 18.
16VibrantandViablePlaces,p.29
17http://wales.gov.uk/about/cabinet/cabinetstatements/2013/Acttravbillintro/?lang=en
18OneWalesOnePlanet,2009,p.21
Section 02
Regeneration Framework
WithinthiscontexttheMetrowillperformanessentialrolethroughprovidingalevelofconnectivitybetweenkeysettlementsandtheexpandingurbanhubsofCardiffandNewportthatdiscouragesuseoftheprivatecar.ImprovedlocalbusservicestokeyMetrointerchangeswillfurtherreducecardependency,aswillimprovementstopedestrianand cycle infrastructure supporting key stations, which the implementation of Metro stations for example, will provide an opportunity to address.
Thiswillcontributesignificantlytonationalcarbonreductiontargets,whichareseekingtoreducegreenhousegasemissionsby3%perannumandtoachieveatleasta40%reductionby2020comparedtoemissionlevelsin199019. However,itisrecommendedthatanindependentStrategicEnvironmentalAssessmentshouldbeundertakentoensurethattheMetrocomplieswithWelshGovernment’scommitmenttoembeddingsustainabledevelopmentintoallaspects of governance.
2.11 Summary: A Liveable Capital City Region
RegenerationhasbeenamainstreamactivityinSouthEastWalesforgenerations.Yetproblemspersistandinsomeplaces, tragically, continue to intensify. The fact that much of the Capital City Region continues to qualify for highest tierofEuropeanUnionfundingdemonstratesthatboldnewsolutionsarerequired.TheMetroisonesuchsolutionthatcanaddressinequalityonaregionalscalewhilstsupportingexistinglocalinitiativesthathavealreadybeenproven to succeed.
Problemsofthepastcannotbesolvedviaapalliativeprescriptiontoregenerationthatisretrospective.Turningbacktheclockisnotanoption.Itisnowessentialtointerveneinawaythatenablestheregiontocompeteproperlyinanewcontextthatisnowdominatedbymega-citiesandglobalisation.TheMetroisauniqueopportunitytophysicallyand thematically link together varied regeneration interventions that are otherwise poorly connected and is a way of tacklingneedbyexploitingopportunitiesonaregionalscale.ThishasnotexistedbeforeinSouthEastWales.
In summary, the Metro has the potential to transform the communities, settlements and economies of the Capital CityRegionby:
• Enablingtheregiontocompetenationally,continentallyandinternationallyforinvestmentbyrespondingtothe societal and economic changes;
• Removingbarrierstoemployment;
• Transformingperceptionsthathavepreviouslyinhibiteddevelopmentviability;
• Respondingtochangesinbusinesspracticethatrequiregreaterflexibility,collaborationandinnovation;
• Supportingthevitalityanddiversificationoflandusesintraditionaltowncentres;
• Reinforcing regional character, culture and identity through sensitive design;
• Supportingtourismbycelebratingregionaldistinctivenessandconnectingregionalvisitordestinations;
• ConsideringnewMetrostationsasimportantcivicbuildingsthatarekeypartsofthetowncentreenvironment;
• Stimulating the development of new places to live and work that are designed in development patterns that promotetheuseofpublictransport;and
19http://wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside/climatechange/emissions/targets/?lang=en
Regeneration & The Metro 23
Regeneration Overview
Section 03
3.0 Metro Interventions Regeneration Overview
This section identif ies the type of regeneration impact that each strategic Metro intervention could have on the Capital City Region.
3.1 Making Better Use of the Existing Network
New Railway stations
• NewrailwaystationsinplaceslikeCaerleonorAbertillerywillprovidecommunitiesthatare currently disconnected from rail services with access to the network and the economic opportunities located throughout it.
New and Reopened Railway lines
• New Metro lines will increase the connectivity of communities that are currently totally disconnectedfromtherailwayline.Forexample,thereopeningoftherailwaylinebetweenAberdareandHirwaunwillprovidethecommunityofHirwaunwithrailaccessandproviderural communities in Powys with a point of access into the Metro.
Service Enhancements
• Enhancements to service frequency will make it easier to travel throughout the rail network to access economic opportunities. This will have a particularly positive impact on places likeMerthyr,EbbwValeandMaesteg,whicharecurrentlyontheperipheryoftheregionandsubjecttopoorservicefrequency.
Park and Ride
• Strategic Park and Ride facilities throughout the network will encourage more people to use the rail network to access employment opportunities. This will reduce congestion on the highway network and help to achieve national green house gas emission targets.
Section 03
Regeneration Overview
Map of the quick win Metro projects, which include new railway stations, park and ride facilities and service enhancements.
3.2 Ebbw Vale to Newport
• RailconnectivitybetweenNewportandEbbwValewillincreasevisitornumberstothecitycentreandencourageinvestment into the local economy that will stimulate regeneration and growth.
• ImprovedservicefrequencytoEbbwValewillstimulatelocalregenerationinitiatives,complementtheEnterpriseZone designation and accelerate economic regeneration.
• ExtensionofrailwaylinefromLlanhillethtoAbertillerywillreconnectasignificantpopulationcurrentlydisconnected from the rail network.
Regeneration & The Metro 25
Regeneration Overview
Section 03
MetroInterventions:EbbwValetoNewportandAbergavennytoNewport.
Section 03
Regeneration Overview
3.3 North West Corridor
• The interventions will complement the Cardiff Enterprise Zone and ensure that Cardiff continues to attract sustainedinvestmentthatsecuresitspositionastheregion’sprimaryeconomichub.
• Rail connectivity through North West Corridor will help to deliver residential development that is integral to maintaining Cardiff’s economic growth.
• NewservicesthroughBeddau,Llantrisant,TalbotGreen,CreigauandMorganstownwillintegratecommunitiescurrently disconnected from rail into the region’s rail network.
• Treforest and Taff’s Well industrial estates improved strategic location will result in increased investment that will stimulate their redevelopment.
• Lightrailwilladdresstheperceptionof‘disconnection’betweenCentralCardiffandtheBayandprovidetheopportunitytoimprovetheinterfacebetweenbothdestinationsandthetraditionallocalcommunities.
• LightrailwillhelptheBaytoestablishitselfasaninternationalbusinessdestination.
3.4 Relief Line from Cardiff Central to Newport and Llanwern
• ThelightraillinkbetweenCardiffandNewportwillreinforcetheimageofawell-connectedCityRegionandencourageinvestmentintobothcitiesthatwillhelptodelivercomplementaryeconomicgrowth.
• ThelightraillinkwillimprovetheaccessibilityofanumberofkeyemploymenthubslocatedbetweenCardiffandNewport(StMellons,Coedkernew,GlanLynetc)andincreasethelikelihoodoffurtherinvestmentintoeachofthesehubs.
• New services through Splott, Tremorfa, Pengam, Rumney St Mellons, West Newport Pillgwellny and East Newport will integrate communities currently disconnected from rail into the region’s rail network and provide the opportunity to undertake community regeneration initiatives.
Regeneration & The Metro 27
Regeneration Overview
Section 03
Metro Intervention: North West Corridor.
Section 03
Regeneration Overview
Metro Intervention: Relief line from Cardiff Central to Newport and Llanwern.
Regeneration & The Metro 29
Regeneration Overview
Section 03
The Cardiff Metro network, including Bus Rapid Transit.
3.5 Rapid Transit in Cardiff• Rapidtransitservices(viaBusRapidTransitorlightrail)betweenthecitycentreandwestandeastCardiff
willcomplementimprovementstotheexistingrailnetworkandensurethattheseareasbenefitfromgoodconnectivity to economic opportunities located in the centre. The connections will also encourage investment intotheestablishedbusinessdestinationslocatedineacharea(CulverhouseCross,StMellonsandPontprennau).
3.6 Rapid Transit in Newport
• Arapidtransitservice(viaBusrapidTransitorlightrail)betweenNewportandCardiffwillcomplementtheproposedlightrailconnectionbetweenthetwocitiesandensurethatcommunitieslikeLlanrumneyorDuffryn,whichdonotbenefitfromaccesstotherailwayline,areservedbyastrategictransportconnectionthatprovidesaccess to the railway line and economic opportunities in Cardiff and Newport.
Section 03
Regeneration Overview
The Newport Metro network, including Bus Rapid Transit.
3.7 Newport to Abergavenny
• NewrailwaystationsatSebastapolandMamhiladwillhelptostimulatelocaldevelopmentopportunities.
• AnewrailwaystationinCaerleonwillreconnectasignificantpopulationcurrentlydisconnectedfromtherailnetwork.
• TheprovisionofabusandrailinterchangetolinktheproposedregionalBusRapidTransits(refertointervention)totheAbergavennyrailwaylinewillassistintheongoingregenerationofPontypooltowncentre.
• TheparkandrideatPontypoolandNewInnstationwillprovideruralcommunitiesinMonmouthshirewithahubfrom which they can access the regional rail network.
Regeneration & The Metro 31
Regeneration Overview
Section 03
3.8 Regional Bus Rapid Transit
Mid Valleys (Pontypridd to Pontypool)
• Thetransitwillprovideanessentialwest-eastconnectionthroughthemidvalleysthatwillcomplementthenorth-southconnectivityprovidedbythekeyrailwaylinesandenablecommunitiesintheValleystotravelwestoreast(toaccesseconomicopportunities)withouthavingtotravelsouthtotransferinCardiff.
• ThetransitwillcomplementPontypridd’slocationontheperipheryoftheNorthWestCorridorandestablishthetownasakeyhubwithintheregionalnetwork.Thiswillhelpthetowntobecomeasignificantemployment,leisure and retail centre.
• ThetransitwillestablishmidCaerphillyvalleys(Nelson,YstradMynachandNewbridge)asakeytransportcorridor.Thiswillencouragecontinuedinvestment,whichwillhelpthecorridortobecomeastrongsub-regionalhub.
Heads of the Valleys (Aberdare to Abergavenny)
• Thetransitwillprovideawest-eastconnectionthatwillcomplementnorth-southtravelconnectivityprovidedbytherailwaylines,andprovideresidentsofthesecommunitieswithdirectaccesstoeconomicopportunitieslocated in the Heads of the Valleys corridor.
• The transit will have a particularly positive impact on Tredegar, which is currently disconnected from the railway linethroughconnectingthetowntoraillinksinEbbwVale,RhymneyandMerthyr.
• The transit will provide access to natural tourism opportunities in the Valleys Regional Park, Brecon Beacons Park(viaoneoftheHeadsoftheValleyssettlements)andMonmouthshire.
Blaenavon to Newport
• ThetransitwillconnectBlaenavontotherailwaylineandprovidedirectaccesstoNewport,bothofwhichwillhelp to complement ongoing regeneration initiatives.
• ThetransitwillintegrateBlaenavon’sheritagetourismattractionsintotheregionalpublictransportnetwork.
• CombinedwiththeMidValleystransittheinterventionwillestablishPontypoolasanessentialhubintheregionaltransit network. This will stimulate the town centre’s ongoing regeneration.
Bridgend to Porthcawl
• The transit will connect communities in west Bridgend and Porthcawl to the regional rail network.
• Porthcawl’simprovedconnectivitywillincreasethevisitornumberandinvestment,whichwillimprovethetourismeconomy and stimulate the town’s ongoing regeneration.
Section 03
Regeneration Overview
Metro Interventions: Mid Valleys and Heads of the Valleys Bus Rapid Transit.
Regeneration & The Metro 33
Regeneration Overview
Section 03
Metro Intervention: Bridged to Porthcawl Bus Rapid Transit.
Section 03
Regeneration Overview
3.9 Cardiff Airport
• A new railway station on the Vale of Glamorgan line, or alternatively a new rail connection will integrate the airportintotheCapitalCityRegionnetworkandprovidealevelofconnectivitythatenablestheairporttoevolveintoaninternationaltransportandbusinesshub.
3.10 Interchange Enhancements
• Interchangeenhancementsatkeystationsthroughouttherailnetworkwilllinktheregionalnetworktolocalbusservices and in some instances the Bus Rapid Transit services. Interchanges will provide the opportunity to create‘gateway’spacestoacentre,andshouldbesubjecttoastrongsetofdesignprinciplestoensurethattheycontributetothelocal‘senseofplace’.
Regeneration & The Metro 35
Regeneration Opportunities
Section 04
4.0 Place Specific Opportunities
This section explores the regeneration opportuni-ties that wil l be facil itated by the Metro in a series of places throughout the Capital City Region. The im-pact that Metro wil l have on each place is identif ied through considering the proposed Metro interventions within the context of the unique local development op-portunities available.
4.1 Central Cardiff and the BayCentral Cardiff, the Bay and the Metro
Central Cardiff and the Bay are integral to the economic growth of the Capital City Region, and theMetroisintegraltofacilitatingandsustainingthearea’slong-termgrowththroughprovidingtheconnectivitytothewiderregion.Thiswillattractthelong-terminvestmentrequiredtoestablishCardiffCentralandtheBayasa‘world-class’tourismandbusinessdestination.
Metro Interventions
The following Metro Interventions will have an impact on Central Cardiff and the Bay:
• MakebetteruseofexistingnetworkfollowingtheValleysLinesElectrificationandtheCardiff Area Signalling and Renewal Project
• NorthWestCorridor:RapidTransit/Tram-trainlinefromCardiffBaytoRCT
• Relief Line from Cardiff Central to Newport and Llanwern
• Other Rapid Transit in Cardiff
• Interchange Enhancements
Regeneration Context
ThelocalregenerationcontextthattheMetroneedstobeconsideredwithinissummarisedbelow:
• TheBayisakeytourismassetbutrequiresa‘stepchange’toprogressintoasophisticatedcultural,tourismandbusinessdestination;
• Thebayiscurrentlyaccessiblebybusandrail,andhascyclingandpedestrianconnectionstothecitycentre,butitisperceivedas‘disconnected’;
• Theperceptionof‘disconnection’weakensCardiff’stourismandbusinessoffer,whichispartbasedonCardiffasawatersidecity–inrealitythereiscurrentlylittleconnectionwith the water from the city centre;
• Butetownisisolatedfromtheredevelopedareasofthebay,andthelocalcommunityfeelfragmentedfromtheinitialbenefitsoftheBay’sregeneration;
Section 04
Regeneration Opportunities
Cardi� CentralStation
Cardi� Bay Station
Queen Street Station
Existing Rail LineExisting Rail Station
Water Bus Connection
Tourism/ Leisure
RegenerationIntervention
Existing Development Area
Local Development Site
Enterprise Zone
Strategic Metro Site
KEY
Primary Road Network
Cycle Route 8 (Ta� Trail)
Wales Coastal Path
Proposed Tram-Train
Potential Tram-TrainExtension
New Metro Station
Improved Connectivity
Cardi� CentralStation
Grangetown Station
Enterprise Zone-57ha-Finance, professional services-Creative industries-Grade A o�ce space
International Conference Centre & Arena
Regeneration & recon�guration
-Grade A o�ce-Creative industries-Residential
-Business-Industry-Warehousing
Grade A o�ce
Residential
To City Line & North West Corridor
Cardi� Bay
Proposed International Tourism Development
Cardi� InternationalSports Village
Millenium Centre
Spatial analysis of regeneration opportunities in Central Cardiff and Cardiff Bay.
• The designation of the Enterprise Zone around Cardiff Central station provides an opportunity to redesign thestationandsurroundingenvironmenttoimproveconnectivitytoButetownandtheBaybyarangeofsustainabletransportmodes;and
• RebuildingMomentumidentifiesadevelopmentvisiontodeliverfurthereconomicgrowthtotheBay;implementation of the vision will provide the opportunity to implement a series of design interventions that candeliveramoreinclusiveandvibrantenvironment.
Regeneration Opportunities
Theregenerationopportunitiesassociatedwiththerecommendedinterventionsarevisualisedanddescribedbelow:
Regeneration & The Metro 37
Regeneration Opportunities
Section 04
20BackgroundTechnicalPaperNo1InitialSustainabilityAppraisalReport,AppendixB,BaselineInformationtotheCardiffLocalDevelopmentPlan,October2012,p.3
21GreenPaper,RebuildingMomentum,March2013,pp.16-17
Connectivity to Employment and Business Opportunities
• AlthoughCentralCardiffandtheBayareservicedbyfrequentbusservices,theproposedlightrailandlightraillinktotheexistingrailnetworkonRoverWaywillmaketravellingbetweenthecitycentre,theBayandthe wider south Cardiff area more convenient, and increase the ease with which residents throughout the southCardiffnetworkcanaccessemploymentandbusinessopportunitiesinCentralCardiff,theBayandwider Capital City Region. This will have a particularly positive impact on economic activity levels in south Cardiff,whichhastraditionallybeenoneofthemosteconomicallydeprivedareas20.
Unlock Employment and Housing Opportunities
• ImplementationoftheproposedMetrointerventionstothewiderSouthEastWalespublictransportnetworkwillensurethattheCapitalCityRegionisservicedbyaskilled,knowledgeableandconnectedlabourforce.ThiswillbeviewedasakeystrengthbyprospectiveinvestorsandhelptoestablishCardiffasaninternationalbusinessdestination.TheincreasedconnectivityofthelabourmarketwillcomplementtheEnterpriseZonedesignationandhaveaparticularlypositiveimpactonambitionstoestablishaCentralBusinessDistrictaroundCardiffCentralstation.Deliveringthedistrictwilldevelop57haoflandthatwillcreatethousandsofjobsinthefinancialandprofessionalservicesandcreativeindustries,deliveringamajorboosttotheregionaleconomy.
• TheimprovedconnectivityprovidedbythelightrailwillhelptofacilitatetheinvestmentrequiredtodeliverthedevelopmentopportunitiespromotedinRebuildingMomentum.Implementationofthevisionpromotedin the document will provide an International Conference Centre and Indoor Arena, deliver approximately 7,000newdwellings(includingthoseintheconsentedPorthTeigrscheme)anddeliverthousandsofjobopportunities in the professional services and creative industries 21. In this respect, the Metro will perform an integralroleintransformingtheBayandreinvigoratingCardiff‘seconomicperformance.
Placemaking and Vitality
• TheimprovedconnectivitydeliveredbytheMetrothroughoutsouthCardiffwillincreaseeconomicactivitythroughout the area, which will in turn increase the expenditure that local people can afford to invest into theirlocalcommunities.ItwillalsoincreasevisitorstothecitycentreandtheBay.Combinedthiswillhaveapositiveimpactonallthevitalityofexistingsettlementsandcontributetotheirongoingregeneration.
• The proposed Metro interventions will deliver improved connectivity to communities in Butetown and Grangetownandwill‘reconnect’communitiesinTremorfa,SplottandAdamsdowntotherailwayline.ItisrecommendedthatadesignstrategyshouldbepreparedforeachphysicalMetrointervention(forexampleanewstation)toensurethateachinterventionreflectsandenhancesthelocalsenseofplace,respondstothevisionsetoutinRebuildingMomentumandcontributestotheongoingregenerationofeachcommunity.AnexampleofhowthiscouldbeachievedinSouthLoudenPlace,whereanewtramstationisproposedisillustratedonp13.
Tourism
• CardiffCityCounciliscurrentlyundertakingastudytoidentifytheactionsrequiredtoenabletheBaytomakea‘stepchange’andtransformitselfintoaninternationaltourismdestination.TheincreasedsophisticationofthepublictransportlinksdeliveredbetweenthecitycentreandtheBaybytheMetrowillhaveakeyroletoperforminattractingtheinvestmentand‘worldclass’developmentsrequiredtoenablethistransformation.
Section 04
Regeneration Opportunities
22AlternativelyimprovedpublictransportconnectionstotheCardiffInternationalSportsVillagecouldbedeliveredthroughtheprovisionofabusservicefromabusandrailinterchangeatCoganrailwaystation.
• ThelightrailwillimproveconnectivitytotheBayfromkeypublictransporthubsinthecitycentre(CardiffCentralandQueenStreetstation).Improvedconnectivitythroughsuchmodesoftransportwillhelptoaddresstheissueof‘disconnection’betweentheBayandcitycentre,andprovideakeymarketingtoolforthecity’stourismstrategy.Itisrecommendedthatthelightrailandnewstationsshouldbeintegratedintotheredesign of Cardiff Central station and the wider environment so that they enhance the experience for visitors arriving in Cardiff.
• The integration of an improved water connection into the redesign of Cardiff Central station will immediately demonstrate to visitors that Cardiff is actually a waterside city. The provision of a service that takes visitors directlytotourismandleisurefacilitiesintheBaywillalsocreatetheopportunitytoprovidea‘unique’visitorexperience. Both will help to strengthen the city’s tourism offer.
• The proposed extension of the light rail from the Oval Basin provides the opportunity to connect the leisure tourismofferintheBaywiththeactivitiesbasedappealoftheCardiffInternationalSportsVillage.Thiswillenablevisitorstoaccessbothdestinationsinasingletrip,whichwillhelptodiversifyCardiff’stourismoffer22.
4.2 The North West Corridor
The North West Corridor and the Metro
In other areas of the region the Metro is a catalyst to stimulate development in challenged markets. However, in the NorthWestCorridorthereisagrowthagendathatisconstrainedbypoorconnectivityandlimitedcapacityonthehighway network. The Metro therefore has the potential to overcome strategic constraints and deliver investment thatwillcontributetotheeconomicgrowthofCardiff,RhonddaCynonTafandthewiderCapitalCityregion.
Metro Interventions
• MakebetteruseofexistingnetworkfollowingtheValleysLinesElectrificationandtheCardiffAreaSignallingand Renewal Project
• NorthWestCorridor:RapidTransit/Tram-trainlinefromCardiffBaytoRCT
• Other Rapid Transit in Cardiff
• Interchange Enhancements
Regeneration Context
ThelocalregenerationcontextthattheMetroneedstobeconsideredwithinissummarisedbelow:
• TheNorthWestCorridorisamajorgrowthzonewithinthesubregion,withapproximately10,000newhomes,20haofemploymentspaceandnewretailandcommunityfacilitiesproposed;
• InRhonddaCynonTaftheproposedgrowthisfocusedonTalbotGreen,Llantrisant,Beddau,LlantwitFadreand Church Village;
• InCardifftheproposedgrowthislocatedtothewestofPentrebane,northoftheM4Junction33andsouthofCreigau;
• PontypriddTownCentre(locatedinthenorthofthecorridor)isasubregionalretailcentrethatissubjecttoongoingpublicsectorinvestmenttoenableittoperformitsfunctionasregionallyimportantretailandservicecentre;
Regeneration & The Metro 39
Regeneration Opportunities
Section 04
• The University of South Wales has a strong presence within the corridor;
• The area is the location of the Royal Glamorgan, which is currently a regional important health facility; and
• Castell Coch and the Museum of Welsh Life at St Fagans, which are regionally important tourist attractions, are located within the corridor.
Regeneration Opportunities
Theregenerationopportunitiesassociatedwiththerecommendedinterventionsarevisualisedanddescribedbelow:
*
*
*
-800 dwellings-Community & employment uses
Castell Coch
Llanharry
Pontyclun
Llanharan
Beddau
Llantrisant
Talbot Green
Hensol
Creigiau
Church Village
Ta�’s Well
Radyr
St. Fagans
Treforest Industrial Estate Station
Ta�’s Well Station
Treforest Station
Radyr Station
Rhondda Cynon Ta�County Borough Council
St. Fagans
2,000 dwellings
2,000 dwellings
750 dwellings
800 dwellings
Royal Glamorgan Hospital
500 dwellings
51.1ha of employment
350 dwellings
7,500 dwellings
Vale of Glamorgan Council
Treforest
Llanharan Station
Pontyclun Station
Pontypridd Station
Caerphilly County Borough Council
Cardi�City Council
Pontypridd
BRT to Abercynon & Ystrad Mynach
Existing Rail Line
Existing Rail Station
Primary Road Network
Tourism/ Leisure Regeneration Intervention
Potential Development Zone
Existing Development Area
Local Development Site Strategic Metro Site
Park & Ride
Proposed Tram-Train
Potential Tram-Train ExtensionNew Metro Station
Potential Metro Station
KEY
Local AuthorityBoundary
M4 Improved Local Bus ServiceNew Cylce Route
Cycle Route 8 (Ta� Trail)
Town Centre
Regional Bus Rapid Transit Integrated Bus & RailInterchange
*
N
Spatial analysis of regeneration opportunities in the North West Corridor.
Section 04
Regeneration Opportunities
Connectivity to Employment and Business Opportunities
• ImprovementstoestablishedservicesandtheprovisionoftheproposedCreigauandBeddaurailwaylineswillimproveconnectivitybetweentheNorthWestCorridorandenablemorepeople(manyofwhicharecurrentlydisconnectedfromrailservices)toaccessemploymentandbusinessopportunitieslocatedinCentralCardiffviapublictransport.Thiswillhaveapositiveimpactoneconomicactivityandstrengthenlocaleconomieswithinthecorridor.However,itwillalsohaveapositiveimpactonCardiff’seconomyandenableittofulfilitsfunctionasthemaineconomicdriverwithintheCapitalCityRegion.SpecificallytheMetrowillencouragemoreindividualstocommuteintothecity,whichwillhelptoprovidethecriticalmassoflabourthat the city requires to maintain its economic growth, and will also increase the presence of higher value industries and employment opportunities within Cardiff.
• Connecting the proposed Beddau railway line to the London Paddington rail via Pontyclun railway station will provide the opportunity to run a circular service through the corridor. This will provide residents with a choice onhowtoaccessCardiff,andwillalsoincreaseaccessibilitytoeconomicopportunitieslocatedtothewestinBridgend and Swansea.
• The extension and connection of the Coryton line to the City line (via a pedestrian connection across the river Taff)willcomplementimprovedaccessibilitybetweencentralCardiffandthesurroundingNorthWestCorridorthroughimprovingwest-eastconnectivitywithinCardiff.Thiswillincreasetheeasewithwhichcommuterstravelling north and south on the City line can access existing major employment locations situated out of centralCardiffinareassuchasLlanishen(HMRCOffices)andtheHeath(UniversityofWalesHospital).
Unlock Employment and Housing Opportunities
• TheproposednewrailconnectionswillimproveconnectivitytoandthereforeincreasetheviabilityofdevelopinganumberofprominentresidentialschemesinbothCardiffandRhonddaCynonTaf.TheCreigauline,forexample,willincreaseconnectivitythroughNorthWestCardiffwhereapproximately10,250dwellingshavebeenproposed.MeanwhiletheBeddaulinewillincreaseconnectivitybetweenPontyclunandBeddauwhere1,100dwellingsareallocated.DeliveringthesedwellingswillhelptoaddresslocalhousingneedandimprovethechoiceandqualityoflocalhousingavailableinbothCardiffandRhonddaCynonTaf.WithrespecttoCardiff,thedwellingswillalsomakeasignificantcontributiontoensuringthatCardiffwillbeabletoaccommodatetheprojectedpopulationgrowthandcontinuetofulfilitseconomicfunctionasacapitalcity.
• The extension of the Creigau line to the Beddau line will provide the opportunity to deliver further developmentalongtheproposednewrailcorridor(subjecttolocalenvironmentalconstraints).
• Delivering the proposed Creigau line will ensure that the Welsh Government owned land near junction 33 of theM4isconnectedtothewiderCapitalCityregionbyboththepublictransportandthenationalmotorwaynetwork.InparticularthelinewillconnectthesiteandtheM4directlytotheCardiffEnterpriseZone.Thisprovides an opportunity for the site to perform a supplementary function to the Enterprise Zone through accommodatingcomplementaryinvestmentthatcannotbeaccommodatedinthezoneitself.Itisthereforerecommendedthatamixtureofemploymentusesshouldbeconsideredforinclusionwithinthesouthoftheproposed development site.
• Improved connectivity and increased residential development throughout the corridor will increase the likelihoodofrenewedinvestmentintosignificantexistingemploymentcentres.ThestrategicMetrositesofTreforestandTaff’sWellIndustrialEstate,forexample,willbenefitfromheightenedinvestmentinterestduetotheirrailconnections,anditisrecommendedthatadevelopmentbriefisrequiredforthesitestoensurethatinvestmentcontributestotheirregeneration.Atthisstageitisenvisagedthatthebriefshouldpromoteamixofusesthatwillenabletheestatestoaccommodatecontemporaryemploymentpremises,andfacilitateimprovedconnectivitybetweentheregionalrailandhighwaynetwork.
Regeneration & The Metro 41
Regeneration Opportunities
Section 04
Placemaking and Town Centre Vitality
• TheimprovedeconomicactivitylevelsdeliveredthroughouttheNorthWestCorridorbytheMetrowillincreasetheexpenditurethatindividualsareabletoinvestintothelocaleconomy.Thiswillhaveapositiveimpactonthevitalityofallestablishedretailcentresadjacenttorailwaylines(Fairwater,Radyr,Taff’sWell,LlantrisantandTalbotGreen)butnotablyPontypriddTownCentre,whichwillbenefitfromthecombinationofimprovedrailconnectivityandtheBusRapidTransittoPontypool.ThiswillestablishPontypriddasakeyhubwithintheSouthEastWalesMetronetworkandwillincreasevisitstothetowncentre.Thiswillhelptodiversify and improve the retail economy, enhance the town centre’s sense of place and improve its potential toactassub-regionalemploymentcentre.
• The implementation of the interchange in Pontypridd Town Centre has the capacity to complement increased expenditure, through providing the opportunity to improve the design of Pontypridd railway station and its interface with the town centre. This will improve the quality of experience that visitors have when arriving in Pontypridd and encourage return visits.
• SimilarlytheprovisionofnewrailinfrastructureinBeddau,LlantrisantandTalbotGreenprovidestheopportunityfortheMetrotocreate‘gateway’spacestoeachcentrethatarebespoketothelocalareaandenhance each centre’s sense of place.
Tourism
• IncreasedconnectivitytoTaff’sWellprovidestheopportunitytoestablishitaspotentialtourismhubforaccessing the Taff Trail and exploring the southern Taff Valley that includes the regional tourism attraction ofCastellCoch.ToenableTaff’sWelltoperformthisfunctionitisrecommendedthatcyclerentalfacilitiesshouldbeprovidedintherailwaystationandthatthepedestrianandcyclelinkstothesurroundingenvironment,inparticulartotheTaffTrail,shouldbeimproved.Thelattercouldbefurtherexploredinthedevelopmentbriefrecommendedforthearea.
4.3 Barry and St.Athan
TheBarryandStAthanCorridorisanareaofsignificanteconomicopportunity.However,inordertofulfilthispotential it must attract economic investment, deliver effective regeneration and strengthen its tourism offer. The MetrocanhelptoaddressalloftheseissuesandestablishtheareaasanattractiveandvibranthubwithinthewiderCapital City Region.
Metro Interventions
• MakebetteruseofexistingnetworkfollowingtheValleysLinesElectrificationandtheCardiffAreaSignallingand Renewal Project
• Other Rapid Transit in Cardiff
• Cardiff Airport
• Interchange Enhancements
Regeneration Context
Section 04
Regeneration Opportunities
*
280 dwellings
88.5ha employment
77ha aerospace employment
7.8ha employment
Barry Island/Promenade
-500 dwellings-10ha employment
St. AthanEnterprise Zone
Cardi� AirportEnterprise Zone
250 dwellings
210 dwellings
730 dwellingsRhoose Station
Llantwit MajorStation
Barry Station
Barry Island Station
Barry Dock Station
CadoxtonStation
To Celtic Trail
To Ta� Trail
KEYLocal Development Site
Strategic Metro Site
Tourism / Leisure
Town Centre
Regeneration Intervention
Enterprise Zone
Integrated Bus and Rail Interchange
Improved Local BusServicePotential Private Shuttle ServiceProposed Park & Ride
Existing Development Area
Existing Rail Line
Existing Rail Station
Primary Road Network
Proposed National Cycle Route
Wales Coastal Path
Potential Tram-Train
New Metro Station
Barry
Dinas Powys
Rhoose
Llantwit Major
St. Athans
*
Spatial analysis of regeneration opportunities in Barry and the wider Vale rail corridor.
ThelocalregenerationcontextthattheMetroneedstobeconsideredwithinissummarisedbelow:
• Cardiff Airport and St Athan are key economic drivers for the area and are designated as an Enterprise Zone for the aerospace and defence sectors;
• CardiffAirportissubjecttoongoinginvestmentanddesigninterventiontoenableittofulfilitspotentialasakey driver in the South East Wales economy;
• BarryWaterfrontisakeyregenerationzonethatissubjecttoongoinginvestment;
• BarryTownCentreisanestablishedretailcentrebutrequiresfurtherinvestmentandregeneration;
• AdesigninterventionisrequiredtoimproveconnectivitybetweenBarryWaterfrontandBarryTownCentre;
• BarryIslandisakeyregionaltourismdestinationthatiscurrentlysubjecttoongoingregenerationandinvestment; and
• ThewiderBarryareaiswellconnectedbyrailwithstationsatCadoxton,BarryDocks,BarryandBarryIsland.
Regeneration Opportunities
Theregenerationopportunitiesassociatedwiththerecommendedinterventionsarevisualisedanddescribedbelow:
Regeneration & The Metro 43
Regeneration Opportunities
Section 04
-2,000 dwellings-6,400 sqm retail space-Hotel-Primary school-Transport hub
7.8ha employment
Barry Island
Mixed Use-500 dwellings-10ha employment
210 dwellings
Cadoxton Station
Link to Cardi� Airport Barry Station
Barry Island Station
Barry Dock Station
KEYLocal Development Site
Tourism / Leisure
Retail Centre
Existing Development AreaExisting Rail Line
Potential Tram-Train
Existing Rail Station
Primary Road NetworkProposed National Cycle RouteCoastal Path
New Metro Station
Integrated Bus and Rail Interchange
Improved Local Bus Service
Focussed spatial analysis of regeneration opportunities in Barry.
Connectivity to Employment and Business Opportunities
• DuetocapacityconstraintsontheValeofGlamorganline,electrificationwillnotimproveservicetimesbetweentheBarryareaandCardiff.However,theprovisionofanintegratedbusandrailhubatBarryDocksthatprovideshighfrequencylocalbusserviceswillimprovetheeasewithwhichlocalpeoplecanaccesstherailway line and employment opportunities in Cardiff and eventually Cardiff Airport. This will have a positive impactonlocalemploymentlevels,andimprovethebusinessenvironment.
Unlock Employment and Housing Opportunities
• Increased connectivity to Cardiff Airport will decrease journey times from the airport to Cardiff City Centre andbuildupontheCardiffAirportExpress,whichwaslaunchedinAugust21013.Thisisessentialtoattractprivatesectorinvestmentandtodiversifyandincreasethedestinationsthatcanbeaccessedfromtheairport.IncreasedconnectivitycanbeprovidedthroughtheprovisionofanewrailconnectionfromtheexistingValeofGlamorganlineoralternativelythroughtheprovisionofanew‘CardiffAirport’railwaystationon the existing Vale of Glamorgan railway line that provides passengers with a quick and easy transfer to the airport 23.Bothinterventionswillsignificantlyincreasetheaccessibilityoftheairportandcontribute(alongsidetheEnterpriseZoneincentives)tothecreationofincreasedemploymentopportunitiesintheairportitselfandonadjacentlandwhere77haofaerospacerelatedbusinessuseisproposed.Thiswouldhaveasignificantimpactonthelocaleconomy.
23TwoMetrointerventionshavebeenconsideredforaccessingCardiffAirporttoaccommodatefuturechangestothelayoutoftheairport.
Section 04
Regeneration Opportunities
24AlthoughprovidingastationtoserviceStAthanisnotconsideredtobeashorttermoptionitcouldbeconsideredinthelongtermifdemand/land use dictates.
25Planningpermissionforafurther2,000dwellingshasalreadybeensecured.
• TheStAthanEnterpriseZoneislocatedapproximately1.5milesfromLlantwitMajorrailwaystation.Duetoconstraints on the existing line and the nature of the site no Metro intervention is proposed. However, it is proposedthataprivate‘shuttle’servicefromLlantwitMajorrailwaystationtothesitecouldbeimplementedasthelattermaturesintoabusinesscentressothatexistingandemergingemploymentopportunitiescanbeaccessedbyrail24.
• TheBarryWaterfrontregenerationareaiswellconnectedbyrailandtheprovisionofabusandrailinterchangeinBarryDockswillincreaseconnectivityoftheregenerationareaandbeakeymarketingtoolforattractingbuyersandfutureinvestmentthatwillenablethearea’songoingregeneration25.
• TheprovisionofabusandrailinterchangeatBarryDockswillalsoincreasetheconnectivityofthedevelopmentassetsallocatedwithinthewiderBarrysettlement.Deliveringthesesiteswillprovideupto700newdwellingsand18.8haofemploymentspace,whichwillfurtherstrengthenthelocaleconomy.
Placemaking and Town Centre Vitality
• The Metro will increase connectivity to key local and regional employment opportunities and help to unlock existing development assets. This will increase economic performance in the area and ensure that local people have more expenditure to invest in the local economy. This will in turn have a positive impact on the vitality of Barry Town Centre.
• ProvisionofabusandrailinterchangeatBarryDockswillincreasetransientuseofBarryTownCentre,whichwillincreasetheexpenditureretainedbythecentre.Inordertomaximiseuseofthecentreitisrecommendedthatawiderdesigninterventionshouldbeimplementedaroundtheinterchangetoimprovelinksbetweentherailwaylineandthetowncentre,andtoensurethattheinterchangeimprovesconnectivitybetweenthetowncentreandemergingBarryWatersideregenerationarea.TheinterventionwillenhancethedesignqualityofthecentreandalsoensurethatitwillbenefitfromtheexpenditureofresidentsintheWaterside,bothofwhichwillcontributetoenhancingBarryTownCentre’s‘senseofplace’.
Tourism
• BarryIslandishighlyaccessiblebyrailfromCardiffandremainsaprominenttourismattractionintheValeofGlamorgan.TheIslandiscurrentlysubjecttoanongoingregenerationprogrammethatisseekingtodiversifythetourismofferprovidedbytheIsland.TheintegratedbusandrailinterchangeoperatingfromBarryDocksstationhasthecapacitytocontributetothediversificationprocessasitwillimproveconnectivitybetweenthetowncentreandBarryIsland,enablingvisitorstoeitherdestinationtoaccesstheother.
• The interface that the railway line has with the Wales Coastal Path and cycle routes is another key tourism assetfortheValeofGlamorgan.AllofBarry’srailwaystationsareeasilyaccessiblefromboththeCoastalPath and the proposed national cycle route, and the provision of appropriate facilities at these stations will helptoestablishBarryasakeyhubfromwhichtoexploretheSouthEastWalescoastlinebybikeandfoot.SuchanofferwillcomplementthetraditionaltourismofferbasedinBarryIslandandhelptodiversifythelocaltourism offer.
Regeneration & The Metro 45
Regeneration Opportunities
Section 04
4.4 Bridgend
Bridgend’s strategic location on the London Paddington line is a key strength for the local area, and is an integral partofitseconomicgrowthstrategy,whichisbasedonresidentsenjoyingconnectivitytoemploymentopportunitiesin Cardiff and Swansea. The Metro will provide increased connectivity that will help to implement the local growth strategy,butwillalsoincreasethelevelofinvestmentintothelocalareasothatBridgendbecomesasustainablesub-regionaleconomiccentre.
Metro Interventions
• MakebetteruseofexistingnetworkfollowingtheValleysLinesElectrificationandtheCardiffAreaSignallingand Renewal Project
• Regional Bus Rapid Transit
• Interchange Enhancements
Regeneration Context
ThelocalregenerationcontextthattheMetroneedstobeconsideredwithinissummarisedbelow:
• ThegrowthstrategyforBridgendisbasedonthesettlementoptimisingandpromotingitsstrategiclocationontheLondonPaddingtonrailwaylineanditssubsequentconnectivitytoemploymentopportunitiesinCardiffand Swansea;
• BridgendTownCentreisanestablishedretailcentrethatservesasignificanturbanpopulation,buttheretailoffer needs to improve and adapt in order to meet local demand;
• AlthoughBridgendTownCentrehasabusstationthatconnectsthetowncentretothewiderCountyBorough,connectivityandlegibilitytothetrainstationispooranddoesnotencourageintegrateduseofthepublictransportsystem;
• BridgendIndustrialEstateisasignificantexistingemploymentcentrethatislocatedadjacenttotheLondonPaddingtonandValeofGlamorganrailwaylines,butispoorlyservedbypublictransport;and
• Anumberofallocatedstrategicemployment,regenerationandresidentialopportunitiesexistwithinthewiderBridgendarea,butmostarecurrentlydisconnectedfromtheexistingrailnetworkandarebestaccessedbycar.
Regeneration Opportunities
Theregenerationopportunitiesassociatedwiththerecommendedinterventionsarevisualisedanddescribedbelow:
Section 04
Regeneration Opportunities
*
284 dwellings41 dwellings
130 dwellings
11ha employment46ha employment
Bridgend Industrial Estate
-67ha-350 dwellings-Employment
-6.5ha-Mixed use residential & employment-140 dwellings
- 85ha-1,500 dwellings-Primary School-Commercial Centre
550 dwellings
150 dwellings
110 dwellings
Wildmill Station
Pencoed Station
KEYLocal Development Site
Strategic Metro Site
Town Centre
Regeneration Intervention
Existing Development Area
Existing Rail Line
Existing Rail Station
Primary Road Network
Park & Ride
M4
New Metro Station
Integrated Bus and Rail Interchange
*
Bridgend Station
Improved Local Bus Service
Regional Bus Rapid Transit
Bridgend
Pencoed
BracklaBRT to Porthcawl
Spatial analysis of regeneration opportunities in Bridgend.
26BridgendLocalDevelopmentPlan2006-2021,June2011,p.2
Connectivity to Employment and Business Opportunities
• ElectrificationoftheLondonPaddingtonline,improvementstoservicefrequencyandtheestablishmentofaBusRapidTransitinBridgendrailwaystationwhichservicesPorthcawlwillsignificantlyimproveconnectivitybetweenBridgend(notablyWestBridgendwhichiscurrentlydisconnectedfromtherailnetwork)andCardiffandSwansea.Thiswillimprovetheeasewithwhichresidentscanaccessemploymentandbusinessopportunities in the wider region and help to facilitate the local growth strategy 26.
Unlock Employment and Housing Opportunities
• Theimprovementstojourneytimesandservicefrequency,combinedwiththeprovisionofanewstationatBracklawillincreasetheconnectivityofBridgendIndustrialEstate,whichisidentifiedinthecommercialanalysis as a strategic site within the context of a future Metro. Improved connectivity of the estate will increase the likelihood of future investment into the Estate, which will have a positive impact on the local economythroughcreatingnewemploymentopportunitiesandhelpingexistingbusinessestodevelop.
Regeneration & The Metro 47
Regeneration Opportunities
Section 04
• ThenewstationatBridgendCollegecombinedwithanimprovedlocalbusserviceoperatingfromtheinterchangeatBridgendrailwaystationwillincreasetheconnectivityofbothIslandFarmandBrocastleallocatedlocalstrategicemploymentsites.Developingthesesiteswilldeliver57haofemploymentuse,which will provide thousands of local employment opportunities and strengthen the local economy.
• Improvedlocalservicesfromthebusandrailinterchangewillalsoincreaseconnectivitytoanumberofkeyallocatedregenerationandresidentialsites.Combinedthesesiteswillprovidefurtherlocalemploymentopportunities, deliver 3,255 new dwellings and supply key community enterprise and education facilities. Delivering these proposals will improve the quality of life for local people through further diversifying the local economy, addressing local housing need targets and improving the choice and quality of local housing available.
Education and Skills
• The provision of a new railway station to service Bridgend College will increase the ease with which students throughout the wider County Borough can access further education and vocational training programmes. Thiswillenhancethequalityofthelocallabourmarket,whichwillencourageinvestmentintoBridgendandhelp to strengthen the local economy.
Placemaking and Town Centre Vitality
• Improved connectivity to local and regional employment opportunities will have positive impact on economic activity levels throughout Bridgend and the wider County Borough, which will increase the expenditure that individualsareabletoinvestintothelocaleconomy.Thiswillhaveapositiveimpactonthevitalityofallestablishedretailcentresadjacenttotherailwayline(MaestegandPencoed),butnotablyBridgendTownCentre,whichwillbenefitfromtheprovisionofthebusandrailinterchange.ThelatterwillestablishBridgendasakeyhubwithintheSouthEastWalesMetronetworkandwillincreasevisitstothetowncentre.Thiswillhelp to diversify and improve the retail economy and enhance the town centre’s sense of place.
• The implementation of the interchange itself also has the capacity to complement increased expenditure, through providing the opportunity to improve the design of Bridgend railway station and its interface with the town centre. This will improve the quality of experience that visitors have when arriving in Bridgend and encourage return visits.
4.5 The Ystrad Mynach Corridor
The Ystrad Mynach Corridor and the Metro
Ystrad Mynach is strategically located in the Mid Valleys, and as such faces different challenges to those settlements in the Coastal Corridor and the Heads of the Valleys. In recent years Ystrad Mynach and the wider corridor has attractedsignificantinvestmentfromboththepublicandprivatesector,buttheareanowneedstoensurethatitcontinuestoattractinvestmentsothatitcanbecomeakeysub-regionaleconomichubthatiscapableofsupportinglocalcommunities,includingthosebasedinthemoredeprivedHeadsoftheValleyssettlements.
Metro Intervention
• MakebetteruseofexistingnetworkfollowingtheValleysLinesElectrificationandtheCardiffAreaSignallingand Renewal Project
• Regional Bus Rapid Transit
Section 04
Regeneration Opportunities
Regeneration Context
ThelocalregenerationcontextthattheMetroneedstobeconsideredwithinissummarisedbelow:
• Theareaisidentifiedasanareaofsignificantgrowth-86%ofCaerphillyCountyBoroughCouncil’semployment allocations are located in the Ystrad Mynach Corridor;
• OakdaleBusinessPark(oneofthelargestindustrialplateausinWales)islocatedintheareabutisinaccessiblebyrail;
• Thecorridorhasanumberofcomplementary‘urbanhubs’–YstradMynach(administrative,healthandeducation),Blackwood(retail)andNewbridge,NelsonandOakdale(employment);
• Ystrad Mynach is a particular area of growth and is the location of Caerphilly County Borough Council’s headquarters, a further education college and new hospital;
• ThecorridorisservicedbytheRhymneyandEbbwValerailwaylinewithconnectionsprovidedatNewbridgeandYstradMynach,HengoedandPengam);and,
• Blackwoodisakeyhublocatedinthecentreofthecorridor;itsnewbusstationprovidestheopportunitytoestablishitasakey‘connector’withinthecorridor.
Regeneration Opportunities
Theregenerationopportunitiesassociatedwiththerecommendedinterventionsarevisualisedanddescribedbelow:
Regeneration & The Metro 49
Regeneration Opportunities
Section 04
44.9ha employment
To Rhymney To Ebbw Vale
11.2ha employment
18.8ha employment
690 dwellings
173 dwellings
194 dwellings
143 dwellings
126 dwellings
137 dwellings
1.6ha employment13.3ha employment
90 dwellings Penallta Country Park
Ystrad MynachStation
Hengoed Station
Pengam Station
Bargoed Station
Brithdir Station
Newbridge Station
Llanhilleth Station
To Cardi�To Cardi�
KEYLocal Development Site
Strategic Metro Site
Regeneration InterventionTourism / Leisure
Town CentreExistingDevelopment AreaExisting Rail LineExisting Rail Station
Regional Bus Rapid Transit
Primary Road Network
BRT to Pontypridd
BRT to Pontypool
Improved Local BusServiceImproved PedestrianLink
Integrated Bus &Rail Interchange
Local Bus InterchangeBargoed
Blackwood
Newbridge
Crumlin
Trelewis
Nelson
Ystrad Mynach
SpatialanalysisofregenerationopportunitiesintheYstradMynach/Nelsoncorridor.
Connectivity to Employment and Business Opportunities
• TheelectrificationoftheValleyLinesandcapacityimprovementswillincreasetheeasewithwhichlocalpeopleareabletoaccessemploymentandbusinessopportunitiesinCardiffandotheremploymenthubsthroughout the region.
• TheBusRapidTransitwillreconnectasignificantpopulation(inNelson,BlackwoodandCrumlin)tothe railway line and employment opportunities in the local area and wider region. This will complement enhancementstotheexistingnetworkandcontributetoimprovingthestrengthofthelocaleconomy.
Unlock Employment and Housing Opportunities
• Theimprovedconnectivitydeliveredthroughelectrificationandenhancementstocapacitywillhaveapositive impact on the ongoing development of Ystrad Mynach. Although the town is a key health, education andadministrativehub,commercialanalysissuggeststhatthetownandwidercorridorislocatedontheperiphery of the South East Wales private sector investment zone. The improved rail connectivity will help to secure the position of Ystrad Mynach and the wider corridor within the primary investment zone, and ensurethatsitessuchasDyffrynBusinessPark(where10.3haofemploymentspaceisallocated)orPenalltaColliery(where690dwellingsareallocated)receivetheinvestmentnecessarytocreatelocalemploymentopportunities and improve the provision and quality of local housing.
Section 04
Regeneration Opportunities
• TheBusRapidTransitwillincreaseconnectivitytoTyDuBusinessParkwhere18.8haofemploymentusehasbeenallocated.ThelatterisintheownershipofWelshGovernmentanditsdevelopmentwilldeliverfurther employment opportunities that will strengthen the local economy.
• TheinclusionofBlackwoodBusStationwithintheBusRapidTransitbetweenPontypoolandPontypriddprovidesanopportunitytointegrateOakdaleBusinessParkintothepublictransportnetworkvialocalbusservices.OakdaleisdisconnectedfromtherailnetworkbutistheprimaryeconomicdriverinCaerphillyCountyBoroughandthelocationofafurther44.3haofemploymentlandallocations.TheintegrationofOakdaleintothenetworkwillhelptoattractfurtherinvestmenttotheparkwhichwillenableadditionaldevelopment and allow more people to access the existing and future employment opportunities.
Placemaking and Town Centre Vitality
• The Metro will increase connectivity to key local and regional employment opportunities and help to unlock existing development assets. This will increase economic performance in the area and ensure that local people have more expenditure to invest in the local economy. This will in turn have a positive impact on the vitality of all the town centres in the locality.
• TheBusRapidTransitoperatingbetweenPontypriddandPontypoolwillfurtherenhancethevitalityofYstradMynach,BlackwoodandNewbridge,aseachcentrewillbeakey‘connector’withinastrategictransportrouteandwillthereforebenefitfromincreasedvisitornumbersandexpenditure.
• TheprovisionofanimprovedlocalbusserviceoperatingfromtheBlackwoodbusstationthatinterfaceswiththeMetrobusandrailinterchangeswillcomplementtheimprovedeconomicactivitylevelsandhelpthetowncentretofulfilitsroleasthearea’sestablishedretailhub.
Improved Access to Services
• TheincreasedconnectivityaffordedbytheMetrowillensurethatthewiderlocalpopulation(includingthoselocatedintheHeadsoftheValleysRegenerationArea)benefitfromimprovedaccesstotheeducation,health,leisureandadministrativeservicesbasedinYstradMynach.CurrentlypedestrianandcycleconnectionsbetweenthesekeyservicesandtheproposedYstradMynachbusandrailinterchangearepoor,soimprovementswillberequiredtoensurethatthelocalpopulationviewstheMetroasaviablealternativetotravellingbycar.
4.6 Merthyr Tydfil
Merthyr Tydfil and the Metro
MerthyrTydfilisoneoftheprimarysettlementsintheHeadsoftheValleysregion.Althoughthetownhasbeensubjecttosignificantpublicsectorledregenerationinitiativesoverthepastdecadeitfacesongoingsocio-economicchallengeandstrugglestoattractsignificantprivatesectorinvestment.PartofthechallengefacingMerthyrisitslocationontheperipheryoftheCapitalCityRegionpublictransportnetwork.TheMetrohasthecapacitytohelpMerthyrtoovercomethischallengebyprovidingthetownwithalevelofconnectivitythatwillminimiseperceptionsofgeographic remoteness and attract investment that will assist its ongoing regeneration and transformation.
Metro Interventions
• MakebetteruseofexistingnetworkfollowingtheValleysLinesElectrificationandtheCardiffAreaSignallingand Renewal Project
Regeneration & The Metro 51
Regeneration Opportunities
Section 04
• Regional Bus Rapid Transit
• Interchange Enhancements
Regeneration Context
ThelocalregenerationcontextthattheMetroneedstobeconsideredwithinissummarisedbelow:
• RailwaystationsarelocatedinMerthyrTownCentreandPentrebach,buttherailserviceisconsideredtoofferanunviabletransportoptiontoemploymentopportunitiesoutsideofthelocalarea;
• Therehasbeensignificantpublicsectorinvestmentinthearea,butprivatesectorinvestmentisdifficulttoattract due to Merthyr’s perceived geographic remoteness;
• PoorpedestrianpermeabilitybetweenMerthyrTownCentreandemploymentandleisuredevelopmenttothewesthaspreventedthetowncentrefrombenefittingfromnewdevelopment;
• Merthyrhasasignificantsupplyofbrownfielddevelopmentsites,buttheyappeardisconnectedfromMerthyrTownCentreanddifficulttoaccessbypublictransport;
• Pentrebachisaprominentexistingdevelopmentsitewhichhasthepotentialtobecomeanareaofstrategictransformation due to its direct access to the railway line; and
• BikeparkWales(locatedinGethinWoods)isanemergingnationalandinternationaltourismattraction,whichcouldbeaccessedfromPentrebachrailwaystation.
Regeneration Opportunities
TheregenerationopportunitiesassociatedwiththeproposedMetrointerventionsarevisualisedanddescribedbelow:
Section 04
Regeneration Opportunities
*
Cyfartha Castle
9.9ha employment
11.22ha employment
160 dwellings
260 dwellings
KEY
180 dwellings
125 dwellings
4.65ha employment
Existing Leisure Park
1.67ha employment
150 dwellings 24 dwellings
Bikepark Wales Gethin Woods
110 dwellings
60 dwellings
Community Health Park
131 dwellings
70 dwellings70 dwellings
Local DevelopmentSite
Strategic Metro Site
Tourism / Leisure
Town Centre
Regeneration Intervention
Existing Development Area
Park & Ride
Existing Rail Line
Existing Rail StationPrimary Road NetworkCycle Route 8 (Ta� Trail)
New Metro Station
Merthyr Station
Pentrebach Station
Integrated Bus andRail InterchangeImproved Local Bus ServiceImprovedPedestrian Link
Regional Bus Rapid Transit
*
BRT to Aberdare BRT to Ebbw Vale
Bikepark Wales Commercial Centre
To Cardi�
Merthyr Tyd�l
Pentrebach
Abercanaid
SpatialanalysisofregenerationopportunitiesinMerthyrTydfil.
Regeneration & The Metro 53
Regeneration Opportunities
Section 04
Connectivity to Employment and Business Opportunities
• According to the Merthyr Local Development Plan “insufficient public transport limits the ability and choice of the local labour force without access to a car to seek employment opportunities”.Giventhat26%ofMerthyr’sworking-agehouseholdsarewithoutacar(thehighestinWales)thecapacityimprovementstotheMerthyrlinetosupportfourtrainservicesperhourwillmakeasignificantcontributiontoaddressingconnectivityandimprovingaccesstoemploymentandbusinessopportunitiesinthewiderregion27. This will have a positive impact on local economic activity and will help Merthyr to address its standing as the most deprivedLocalAuthorityinWales(25%ofitsLSOAsareinthemost10%deprivedinWales)28.
Unlock Employment and Housing Opportunities
• The improvements to connectivity will address Merthyr’s perceived geographic remoteness and increase thelikelihoodofprivatesectorinvestment.ThecommercialanalysisidentifiesPentrebachasastrategicMetro development site, and proposes that the Metro will provide the connectivity necessary to facilitate the deliveryofaresidentialledmixed-usescheme.Suchaschemewillcreateanexemplarsustainablemixed-useschemeintheHeadsoftheValleysthatwillhelptocontributetotheLocalDevelopmentPlan’saspirationtodeliver3,000dwellings,andprovideafreshopportunitytorevitaliseatraditionalemploymentareawhereoccupancy levels are poor 29.BetterlinkstoCardiffwillensurethatPentrebachcansupportarangeofemploymentsectors.Itisrecommendedthatadevelopmentbriefshouldbepreparedtosetoutavisionforthe site.
• The Metro will also help to deliver allocated development sites. Strategic sites such as Goat Mill Road offer theopportunitytodelivernewjobsandhouses,buttheirgeographiclocationandcurrentproximitytothepublictransportnetworkpreventedtheirdevelopmentevenduringthemoreprosperoustimes.Improvedrailconnectivity,theBusRapidTransitandanimprovedlocalbusserviceoperatingfromMerthyrwillhelpaddressthesetwofactorsandthereforeenhancetheviabilityofdevelopingprominentlocalsites.However,itisrecommendedthatimmediatefocusshouldbeontheredevelopmentofPentrebach,sinceitslocationontherailnetworkmeansthatitwilldelivershorter-terminvestmenttoMerthyr.
Placemaking and Town Centre Vitality
• ThestrategicregenerationofPentrebachwillhaveapositiveimpactonthevitalityofMerthyrTownCentre,sinceitwillincreasethenumberofresidentslivingincloseproximitytothecentre,whocanaccesstheretailopportunitiesandserviceslocatedinthetowncentreviaarangeofsustainabletransportmodes.
• Theprovisionofanintegratedbusandrailhubwithinthetowncentrewillhaveafurtherpositiveimpactontowncentrevitality,sincethebusservicesoperatingfromthehubwillcompletethepublictransportnetworkthatwillenableresidentstotravelfromtheirhomestoemploymentopportunitiesinCardiff.Asthetowncentrewillbethekey‘connector’withinthenetworkthenumberofvisitorstothecentrewillincrease,whichwill strengthen the retail offer.
27MerthyrLocalDevelopmentPlan,2006-2021,2011,p.16
28 WelshIndicesofMultipleDeprivation2011,SummaryReport,p.15.
29MerthyrTydfilLocalDevelopmentPlan,2011,p.50
Section 04
Regeneration Opportunities
• TheintegratedhubwillalsoimprovetheinterfacebetweenthetowncentreandexistingdevelopmentssuchtheCyfarthaRetailParkandWelshGovernmentoffices.Thesedevelopmentsaresignificantsourcesofemploymentbuthavebeendesignedtoenableconvenientaccessbycarandthereforehaveapoorinterfacewiththetowncentre.Encouraginguseofthetowncentreonrouteorduringbreakswillfurtherenhancethe centre’s vitality. However, improvements to the pedestrian cycle infrastructure to encourage movement betweenthetwoareaswillberequired30.
• Inordertoestablishatrulyintegratedbusandrailhubitisproposedthataspartoftheongoingstrategyforthebusstation,MerthyrTydfilCountyBoroughCouncilmightconsiderrelocatingthebusstationtoCourtStreet,whichisadjacenttotheexistingrailwaystation.Fromthislocationthehubwillbenefitfromstrongconnectivitytotherailandthelocalhighwaynetwork,andwillalsoimprovelegibilitybetweentherailwaystationandprimarytowncentreretailarea,whichiscurrentlypoorduetoitslocationbehindtheTescosupermarket.
ROAD
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Tramroad Terrace
UN
ION
STREET
Library Lane
STREETCHURCH
JOHN STREET
TRAMRO
AD
NORTH
LOW
ER TH
OM
AS STREET
SIDE
Proposed New Bus Station/ Public Transport Interchange
Existing Bus Station
Merthyr High Street
Merthyr Rail Station
KEY
Bus station relocation
Existing rail line
Merthyr HIgh Street(Shopping area)
Enhanced access to busstation/rail station
Pedestrian access to rail station
Potentialrelocationofbusstationtocreateanintegratedbusandrailhub.
30MerthyrTydfilCountyBoroughCouncilareconsideringproposalstoredevelopthebusstation,howeverintheshort-termlightrepairworkswillbeundertakentothestationandkeyapproaches.Theproposedpermeabilityimprovementscouldbeincludedwithinanextendedprogrammeofworks.
Regeneration & The Metro 55
Regeneration Opportunities
Section 04
Tourism
• BikeParkWalesisthefirstfull-scalemountainbikeparkintheUKandwillenhanceWales’sworld-classmountainbikeoffer.Theparkwillhostworldchampionshipdownhillracing,butwillalsobeavailableforleisureusebyarangeofotherusersofdifferingabilities.Althoughthenatureofmountainbikingmeansthatmanyofthepark’svisitorswillarrivebycar,itisimportantthatthefacilitycanbeaccessedbypublictransport.ThelocationoftheparkintheGethinWoods,whichistothewestofPentrebachrailwaystationprovidesanidealopportunity,sincePentrebachrailwaystationinterfaceswiththeTaffTrail,whichinturnprovidesaccesstothepark’swelcomecentre.Itisthereforeproposedthatthelegibilityofthecycleroutebetweenthestationandtheparkshouldbeimproved,andappropriatemarketingundertakentopromotethedevelopmentsconnectivitytothepublictransportnetwork.
4.7 Ebbw Vale
Ebbw Vale and the Metro
EbbwVale’sconnectivityhasimprovedconsiderablythroughthereopeningoftheEbbwValerailwaylineandwillincreasefurtherwhenthelineisextendedtoTheWorksGeneralOfficesandconnectedtoEbbwValetowncentrethroughafunicularrailwayline.Yet,inspiteofthesechangesEbbwValewillremainontheperipheryofthepublictransportnetworkandresidentswillcontinuetoexperiencepoorconnectivitytothewiderregion.TheMetro will address this through providing enhancements that will make it easier for residents to travel to employment opportunities throughout the region, and also attract investment that will stimulate local development opportunities and regenerate the local economy.
Metro Interventions
• MakebetteruseofexistingnetworkfollowingtheValleysLinesElectrificationandtheCardiffAreaSignallingand Renewal Project
• EbbwValetoNewportEnhancements
• Regional Bus Rapid Transit
• Interchange Enhancements
Regeneration Context
ThelocalregenerationcontextthattheMetroneedstobeconsideredwithinissummarisedbelow:
• EbbwVale’sconnectivitytothewidernetworkwillcontinuetoimprovethroughtheextensionoftheEbbwVale line to The Works and the construction of a funicular railway line;
• PrivatesectorinvestmentisdifficulttoattractduetoEbbwVale’sgeographiclocation;
• Connectivity to employment opportunities in Newport and Cardiff remains relatively poor;
• EbbwValetowncentreiscurrentlyunderperforming,butitslocationadjacenttoanewrailwaylineandtwostrategicdevelopmentzones(TheWorksandNorthernCorridor)provideakeyregenerationopportunity;
• Keydevelopmentsites(includingpartsofTheWorksandNorthernCorridorhavebeendesignatedaspartofthe Enterprise Zone; and
Section 04
Regeneration Opportunities
• TheproposedCircuitofWalesdevelopmentsiteislocatedtothenorthofEbbwVale,andproposestodelivera£400millionmotorsportdestination.
Regeneration Opportunities
TheregenerationopportunitiesassociatedwiththerecommendedMetrointerventionsarevisualisedanddescribedbelow:
82 dwellings
78 dwellings
25 dwellings
45 dwellings
69 dwellings
29 dwellings
47 dwellings
54 dwellingsBryn Bach Country Park
150 dwellings
-520 dwellings-18ha employment-Hospital-Business & energy centre
-805 dwellings-55ha of employment, leisure & commercial uses0.7ha employment
4.6ha employment
2.1ha employment
101 dwellings &leisure facilities
-60 dwellings-commercial use
Rassau Industrial Estate EZ
Proposed Circuit of Wales-Motorsport & leisure facilities-18ha employment use
Bryn Serth EZ
Rhyd y Blew EZ
Tredegar BusinessPark EZ
7.1ha employment
1.6ha employmentKEY
Local Development Site
Strategic Metro Site
Tourism / Leisure
Town Centre
Regeneration Intervention
Enterprise Zone (EZ)
Existing Development Area
Existing Rail Line
Existing Rail Station
Primary Road Network
Proposed Rail Line
New Metro Station
Integrated Bus and Rail InterchangeImproved Local Bus Service
Regional Bus Rapid Transit
Ebbw Vale Station
BRT to Merthyr
BRT to Abergavenny
Tredegar
Dukestown
Rassau
Ebbw Vale
Nantyglo
Blaina
Brynmawr
SpatialanalysisofregenerationopportunitiesinEbbwVale.
Connectivity to Employment and Business Opportunities
• TheelectrificationoftheValleyLinesandthecapacityimprovementstosupporttwoandeventuallythreetofourtrainservicesperhourwillbuildupontheimprovedconnectivitydeliveredbythereopeningoftheEbbwValerailwaylineandincreasetheeasewithwhichlocalpeopleareabletoaccessemploymentandbusinessopportunitiesinthewiderregion31.Furthermore,enablingaccessintoNewportenableresidentstoaccessanemploymentandretailmarketfromwhichtheyarecurrently‘disconnected’byrail.Combined,
31EbbwValewillinitiallyreceivetwotrainsperhour,whichcouldbeextendedinthelongtermtothreeorfourservicesperhourdependingontheviabilityofundertakingthenecessaryengineeringworks.
Regeneration & The Metro 57
Regeneration Opportunities
Section 04
this will have a positive impact on local economic activity and will help Blaenau Gwent to address its standing asthesecondmostdeprivedLocalAuthorityinWales(23.4%ofitsLSOAsareinthemost10%deprivedinWales)32.
Unlock Employment and Housing Opportunities
• TheimprovedconnectivitydeliveredbytheMetrowillhelptoovercometheareasperceivedgeographicremotenessandassistdevelopmentoftheStrategicMetrositesidentifiedinthecommercialanalysis.TheWorks,inparticularwillbenefit,sinceitwillbedirectlyaccessibletwoandeventuallyfourtimesperhourbyrailservicesfromCardiffandNewportrailwaystations.AlthoughtheNorthernCorridorsiteswillnotbeconnectedtotherailwayline,theiraccessibilitywillalsobeimprovedthroughtheBusRapidTransitandlocalbusservicesoperatingfromthetowncentre.
• ImprovedaccesstobothofthesesiteswillcomplementtheEnterpriseZonedesignationsandhelptodeliver‘specialist’employmentopportunitiesinadvancedmanufacturing,whichwilldiversifythelocaleconomy.Itwillalsoincreasetheviabilityofdeliveringthe1,300dwellingsthathavebeenallocatedacrossthesites,whichwilladdresslocalhousingneedandbroadenthechoiceofhousingavailable.
• The Metro will also help to deliver development opportunities outside of the immediate vicinity of the strategic sites and the rail corridor. The Circuit of Wales, for example, is a prominent proposed development that hasthecapacitytotransformthelocaleconomythroughdelivering6,000jobsinmotorsportandautomotiveindustries.ItsinclusionwithintheSouthEastWalespublictransportnetworkwillbeakeymarketingtoolforthedevelopmentandwillhelpitfulfilitseconomicpotential.
Placemaking and Town Centre Vitality
• TheprovisionofthenewrailwaystationatTheWorksGeneralOfficesandthefunicularrailwaylineprovidesakeyopportunitytocontinuetheregenerationofEbbwValetowncentrethroughthecreationofanew‘gatewayspace’tothecentre.Theconceptofcreatinganintegratedbusandrailinterchangeatthislocationshouldbeconsidered,sinceitwillincreasethenumberofvisitorstothecentre,andthesubsequentincreasein expenditure will improve the retail offer and enhance the vitality of the town centre. The provision of thehubwillalsoprovidetheopportunitytoimplementthedesignprinciplesidentifiedintheregenerationframework,andencouragecompanieslikeIndycubetolocatewithinthespace.
• ThestationwillalsolinktheEbbwValelinetothewiderEbbwValeandHeadsoftheValleyarea.ThelatterwillhaveaparticularlypositiveimpactonvitalityofthenearbysettlementsofTredegarandBrynmawr,neitherofwhichcurrentlybenefitfromrailaccess.
Tourism
• TheMetrowillprovideEbbwValeandthesurroundingsettlementsofBrynmawrandTredegarwithalevelofconnectivitytothewiderCapitalCityRegionthatwillenablethesettlementstomarketthemselvesashubsfor exploring the Brecon Beacons National Park to the north and the Valleys Regional Park to the south.
• TheproposedCircuitofWaleshasthepotentialtobecomeaninternationaltourismdestination(itproposestoattract750,000visitorsperannum),andtheimprovedMetroconnectivitytoEbbwValewillhelpittomarket itself as such 33. However, the Metro will also help to integrate the circuit into the wider Capital City Region tourism offer and retain visitors to the circuit in the local and regional area. The Heads of the Valleys Bus Rapid Transit, for instance will provide access to traditional South Wales Valley communities and various ValleysRegionalattractionswhiletheraillinkswillprovidedirectaccesstotheurbanofferofCardiffandNewport.
32WelshIndicesofMultipleDeprivation2011,p.15.
33CircuitofWalesDesignandAccessStatement,2013,p.7
Section 04
Regeneration Opportunities
4.8 Cwmbran and Pontypool
Cwmbran, Pontypool and the Metro
TorfaenisamicrocosmoftheCapitalCityRegion-thesouthattractsprivatesectorinvestmentwhilethenorthischaracterisedbyeconomicinactivityanddecline.ThesettlementsofCwmbranandPontypoolreflectthisspatialcontrast and the Metro will need to respond to the unique challenges facing each settlement so that it attracts continued investment to the area, whilst providing an opportunity to reconnect and transform communities that are currently fragmented from economic opportunities.
Metro Interventions
• Newport–Caerleon–Pontypool–AbergavennyCorridor
• Regional Bus Rapid Transit
Regeneration Context
ThelocalregenerationcontextthattheMetroneedstobeconsideredwithinissummarisedbelow:
• CwmbranisconsideredthemaineconomicdriverforthewiderTorfaenarea,-anumberofadjacentdevelopmentsiteshavebeenallocatedasStrategicActionAreasforthispurpose;
• Cwmbranisservicedbyanewrailwaystationthatisincloseproximitytoanewbusstation;
• CwmbranShoppingisanestablishedretailcentrerelyingon‘convenience’andaccessibilitybycar;
• Pontypoolisviewedasakey‘connector’,linkingCwmbrantotheHeadsoftheValleysArea,butalsoconnecting Torfaen to the Mid Valleys;
• Pontypoolisnotdirectlyaccessiblebyrail–theneareststationisPontypoolandNewInnrailwaystationwhichislocatedapproximately1.5milestothesoutheastofthetowncentre;
• ThePontypoolretailofferhasbeenindeclineforanumberofyearsduetoitsgeographiclocationandhighway interventions;
• Sebastopol(locatedtothenorthofCwmbran)andMamhilad(locatedtothewestofPontypool)StrategicActionAreasareprominentlocaldevelopmentsitesthatareaccessiblebyrail(subjecttoprovisionofnewstation)andthenationalcyclenetwork;
• TheBritishStrategicActionAreaislocatedtothenortheastofPontypoolinAbersychanandisviewedasakey catalyst for the regeneration of the local Heads of the Valleys area;
• TheBreconandMonmouthshireCanalbisectstheareaandprovideslinkstonaturalandhistorictourismopportunities;
Regeneration Opportunities
Theregenerationopportunitiesassociatedwiththerecommendedinterventionsarevisualisedanddescribedbelow:
Regeneration & The Metro 59
Regeneration Opportunities
Section 04
*
115 dwellings
3ha employment
6.7ha employment
456 dwellings
-300 dwellings-4.8ha of employment & community uses-Hospital
250 dwellings
-1,200 dwellings-Community & education Facilities
-1,700 dwellings-Primary School-Community & leisure facilities
-200 dwellings-Employment-Community Facilities
-150 dwellings-11ha Mixed Use
-8.3ha of employment-6,800 sqm of food retail & leisure uses
135 dwellings
BRT to Ystrad Mynach & Pontypridd
BRT to Newport
BRT to Blaenavon
Cwmbran Station
Pontypool & New Inn Station
KEYLocal Development Site
Strategic Metro Site
Wider Cwmbran Growth Zone
Existing Development Area
Town Centre
Existing Rail Line
Existing Rail Station
Primary Road Network
Cycle Route 492
Park & Ride
Potential MetroStation
New Metro Station
*
Integrated Bus andRail Interchange
Improved Local BusService
Regional Bus Rapid Transit
BRT Hub
RegenerationIntervention
To Abergavenny
To Newport & Cardi�
Pontypool
Cwmbran
Mamhilad
SpatialanalysisofregenerationopportunitiesintheCwmbran/PontypoolCorridor.
Section 04
Regeneration Opportunities
Connectivity to Employment and Business Opportunities
• TheelectrificationoftheValleyLinesandthecapacityimprovementswillincreasetheeasewithwhichlocalpeopleareabletoaccessemploymentandbusinessopportunitiesinCardiff,Newportandotheremploymenthubsoutsideoftheregion.Thiswillhaveapositiveimpactonlocalemploymentlevels,andimprovethebusinessenvironment.
Unlock Employment and Housing Opportunities
• Theimprovedconnectivitydeliveredthroughelectrificationandenhancementstocapacitywillhaveapositiveimpactontheongoingdevelopmentofthestrategicsitesidentifiedinthecommercialanalysis.BoththeSebastapolandMamhiladdevelopmentsitesarelocatedadjacenttotheAbergavennyrailwaylineandtheprovisionofnewstopsadjacenttobothsiteswillconnectthemdirectlytobothNewportandCardiff.Thiswillfurtherincreasetheviabilityofdeliveringthesitesandhelptoprovide2,900dwellingsandcommunityandeducation facilities.
• AsidefromtheidentifiedstrategicMetrosites,improvedconnectivitytotheexistingnetworkwillincreasetheviabilityofdevelopingthelocalstrategicsitesallocatedadjacenttoCwmbrantowncentre.Deliveringthesesiteswillprovideafurther1,156dwellings,5haofemploymentandretail,cultural,healthandcommunityuses,whichwillhelpCwmbrantofulfilitsroleastheprimaryeconomicdriverforthelocalarea.
• TheprovisionoftheBusRapidTransitbetweenBlaenavonandNewport(viaPontypoolandCwmbran)willincreasetheconnectivityoftheHeadsoftheValleysarea.Thiswillincreasethelong-termviabilityofdevelopingtheBritishStrategicActionArea,andimprovethelikelihoodofdelivering200newdwellingsandprovidemuchneededemploymentopportunities.However,itmustberecognisedthatthedevelopmentofthesitewillrequirealong-termprogrammethatwillbedependentonfullconnectivitytotheMetroandtheestablishmentofthewiderareaasaviableinvestmentprospecttotheprivatesector.
Placemaking and Town Centre Vitality
• The Metro will improve connectivity to regional employment opportunities and facilitate local employment and residential development opportunities. This will improve economic activity levels and ensure that a larger localpopulationwithincreaseddisposableincomeservicestheestablishedretailcentresofCwmbranandPontypool.
• ThedecliningstateofPontypooltowncentre’sretailofferanditsstrategiclocationwithinboththePontypoolto Pontypridd and Blaenavon to Newport Bus Rapid Transits means that the Metro will have a particularly significantimpactonthevitalityofPontypooltowncentre.Thetransitswillincreasevisitornumberstothetowncentreandincreasethelikelihoodofinvestment,whichwillhelptopreventfurtherdeclineandbegintoimprove the centre’s sense of place.
Tourism
• TheTorfaentourismstrategyisbasedonitsconnectivitytonaturaltourismopportunitiesinMonmouthshireand the Brecon Beacons National Park, and the Blaenavon World Heritage Site. The frequency enhancementswillimproveconnectivitytoAbergavenny,whiletheBusRapidTransitfromNewportwillimprove connectivity to Blaenavon and the Brecon Beacons National Park.
• Nationalcycleroutes49and492provideaccessibilitytoadjacentnaturalandheritageattractions.Thisisa distinctive element of the local tourism offer and is one that the Metro can complement through improving theinterfacebetweentherailnetworkandthecycleroutes.TheprovisionofbikerentalfacilitiesatCwmbranandPontypoolandNewInnStations,forexample,willestablishthestationsashubswithinacyclenetwork
Regeneration & The Metro 61
Regeneration Opportunities
Section 04
from which visitors can cycle or walk south to Newport or north to Blaenavon, the Brecon Beacons and Abergavenny.Thiswillhelptoincreasethestrengthofthelocaltourismofferanddiversifythelocaleconomy.
4.9 Newport
Newport and the Metro
Newportisstrategicallylocatedinthe‘gateway’corridortoSouthWalesandthereforehasacriticalroletoperformincontributingtothesuccessoftheCapitalCityRegion.AlthoughNewporthassignificantdevelopmentpotentialitiscurrentlystrugglingtoattractthescaleofinvestmentthatisrequiredforthecitytobecomeacomplementaryeconomicbasetoCardiff.Oneofthekeyinhibitorstothecity’sgrowthisitslimitedconnectivitytotherailnetwork-despiteitsvastrailnetworkthecityisonlyservedbyNewportstation.TheMetrowillthereforeprovidethecitywiththe connectivity required to attract investment, which will facilitate regeneration and economic growth, and integrate the city centre into the Capital City Region as a central economic centre.
Metro Intervention
• MakebetteruseofexistingnetworkfollowingtheValleysLinesElectrificationandtheCardiffAreaSignallingand Renewal Project
• EbbwValetoNewportEnhancements
• Relief Line from Cardiff Central to Newport and Llanwern
• Rapid Transit in Newport
• NewporttoAbergavennyCorridor
• Regional Bus Rapid Transit
• Interchange Enhancements
Regeneration Context
ThelocalregenerationcontextthattheMetroneedstobeconsideredwithinissummarisedbelow:
• Newporthasasignificantexistingrailnetworkbutisonlyservedbyonerailwaystation(NewportStation);
• NewportCityCentreissubjecttoanongoingregenerationprogrammethatisaimingtoincreasethecentre’svitality through improving the leisure and retail provision, diversifying the mix of employment and residential uses and raising the quality of the environment;
• ThereisastrongemphasisonfocussingdevelopmentontheriverfronttoimprovetheinterfacebetweentheRiver Usk and city centre; and
• Significantvolumesofbrownfieldlandhavebenefittedfromsusbtantialinvestment,andotherbrownfieldsitesprovideconsiderableopportunityforfurtherregenerationanddevelopmentsurroundingNewportCityCentre.
Section 04
Regeneration Opportunities
Spatial analysis of regeneration opportunities in Newport.
Regeneration Opportunities
Theregenerationopportunitiesassociatedwiththerecommendedinterventionsarevisualisedanddescribedbelow:
Connectivity to Employment and Business Opportunities
• ElectrificationoftheLondonPaddingtonlineandprovisionofthelightrailconnectiontoCardiffwillimproveconnectivitybetweenNewportandCardiff.Thiswillmakeiteasierforresidentsinbothcitiestoaccessemploymentandbusinessopportunitiesintheother,aswellasenroute,inplaceslikeStMellonsandCelticSprings Business Park.
• The Metro will also improve Newport’s internal connectivity and ensure that residents living in the wider Newportareaareabletoaccessemploymentopportunitiesinthecityitself.Forexample,inadditiontoimprovingtheconnectivityofcommunitiesinBlaenauGwentandCaerphilly,theextensionoftheEbbwValeline into Newport station will also improve the connectivity of residents in North West Newport.
Regeneration & The Metro 63
Regeneration Opportunities
Section 04
Unlock Employment and Housing Opportunities
• The new stations on the existing London Paddington line will provide direct access to Celtic Springs BusinessParkandCelticBusinessPark/GlanLyndevelopmentarea,andencouragefurtherinvestmentintoeachsite.SpecificallytheMetrowillhelptodeliverthe65haofemploymentspacethatisproposedforallocation in Celtic Business Park and will facilitate the ongoing redevelopment of Glan Lyn. A masterplan for 4,250residentialunits,40haofemploymentspaceandadistrictcentrehasbeenagreedforthelatter,andStModweniscurrentlyonsitedeliveringthefirstphase.TheMetrowillimprovetheconnectivityofthisnewdevelopmentandalsohelptounlock122haofproposedadjacentemploymentspace.
• The proposed southern rail link from the London Paddington line will provide the Whitehead Works, Monmouthshire Bank Sidings and Newport Docks with rail access. This will transform how these locally importantregenerationsitesareperceivedbythemarketandwillincreasethelikelihoodoffurtherdevelopment,whichisalreadyunderwayontheSidingswhereRedrowarecurrentlyconstructing575dwellings.Shouldtheremainingsitesbedeliveredanadditional221haofproposedemploymentspaceand400newdwellingswillbedelivered.Giventhatthisareaiscurrentlycharacterisedbypoorlyperformingemploymentuses,itisrecommendedthatanareawidedevelopmentframeworkbepreparedtoensurethatfutureinvestmentimprovestheexistingenvironmentandfacilitatesthegrowthofexistingbusinesses.
• The proposed eastern rail link from the London Paddington line will increase the connectivity of the Old TownDock/GeorgeStreet/PenmaenWharfregenerationareas.OldTownDockinparticularhasreceivedsignificantinvestmentoverthepastdecade,buttheMetrowillhelptoattracttheadditionalinvestmentrequiredtodeliverproposedallocationsfor32.75haofemploymentspaceand840dwellingsinthesurrounding areas.
Education and Skills
• The local and regional Metro interventions will increase the connectivity of the University of South Wales, Newport’s city centre campus to the wider Capital City region. This will encourage more young people to studyinNewport,whichwillenabletheuniversitytofurtherinvestinthecitycentre,increasethenumberofskilledandeducatedyoungpeopleenteringthelocallabourmarketandattractinvestmentthatdelivershigher value industries to the centre.
Health
• The eastern light rail link will provide direct rail access to the Royal Gwent Hospital, therefore making it more convenient for residents to access essential health services.
Tourism
• TheBusRapidTransitwillprovidedirectaccesstotheCelticManorResortfrombothCardiffandNewportCityCentres.ThiswillhelptodevelopwhatisanalreadyestablishedleisuredestinationandincreasethenumberofvisitorstoNewportandthewiderCapitalregion.
Placemaking and Vitality
• The proposed eastern rail link from the London Paddington line and the Bus Rapid Transit from Cardiff will providedirectaccessthroughcentralNewportandthePillgwenllyregenerationarea.Thelatterhasbeensubjecttosignificantinvestmentoverthepastdecadeandaregenerationframeworkwasadoptedin2009to integrate the area into surrounding development and growth areas, create new opportunities for people andbusinessesandimprovethesocialandphysicalenvironment.TheMetrohasthecapacitytosupportthedelivery of the framework through connecting Pillgwenlly to surrounding growth areas, therefore increasing the likelihood of investment and providing the opportunity to implement design projects that will improve
Section 04
Regeneration Opportunities
thephysicalenvironment.ItisrecommendedthattheframeworkshouldbeamendedtoidentifyfocussedopportunitiesfortheMetrotocontributetotheongoingregenerationofPillgwenlly.
• Improved connectivity to local and regional employment opportunities will increase economic activity levels throughoutNewport,whichwillraisetheexpenditurethatindividualsareabletoinvestintothecitycentreeconomy.Itwillalsoincreasevisitorstothecitycentre.Combined,thiswillhelptoaddresssomeofthekeyregenerationchallengesfacingthecitycentreandrealisetheambitiousrenewalstrategysetoutintheNewport2020Masterplan.Specifically,increasedexpenditurewillhelptosupportnewleisureandentertainment facilities, address currently high retail vacancy rates, revitalise the Victorian retail area through encouraging a range of alternative uses and improve the centre’s physical environment.
• The eastern light rail link will improve the city centre’s interface with the rail network, which is currently poor duetotheB4591,whichseparatesthecitycentrefromNewportStation,andincreasethelikelihoodofattracting private sector investment into the city centre. This will improve the mix and quality of uses in the city centre and has the potential to improve the centre’s connectivity with the river. The link will also provide the opportunity to implement design interventions within the city centre which will improve the centre’s sense ofplace.ItisrecommendedthatadesignframeworkshouldbeproducedtoensuretheMetroiseffectivelyintegratedintothecitycentreandthewidervisionsetoutinNewport2020.
Regeneration & The Metro 65
Conclusion
Section 05
5.0 Conclusion and RecommendationsThis paper demonstrates that the Metro has the capacity to help the Capital City Region becomeamoresuccessfulandliveablecity.However,itisequallyclearthatMetroinfrastructure alone will not facilitate transformation. Coordinated and sustained effort from a widevarietyofstakeholderswillberequiredtoensuretheregenerativeimpactoftheMetrocanbecaptured.
ToensurethatregenerationbecomesacornerstoneoftheMetrothefollowingkeyrecommendations are proposed:
• Developasetofguidelines,whichshouldbeappliedtothedevelopmentofabriefforanewMetrointerventiontoensurethatthewiderbenefitsarecaptured.Thiswillincludeguidanceondesign,permeability,scopingdevelopmentpotential,evaluatingviabilityofmixed use developments etc
• Identify(withsupportofstakeholders)apilotprojectwhichbringstogether:
1. Transport planning and engineering;
2. Placemaking;
3. Active travel and health;
4. Housing development;
5. Employment development;
6. Skills; and
7. Tourism.
This pilot project could take place in conjunction with one of the quick win Metro interventions
• Determinepotentialdevelopmentsitesthatwouldbenefitfromsomeformofsupplementary planning guidance that would help deliver Metro compliant developments.
• UndertakefurtherresearchtoidentifyprivateandnotforprofitsectorpartnersthatcouldprovideexpertiseandinvestmentforMetro-ledregenerationprojects.Thesemightinclude:
1. Developers;
2. Registered Social Landlords; and
3. Certain commercial operators.
• Work with CREW, Welsh Government and the Welsh Local Government Association (andotherrelevantstakeholders)todevelopmechanismswhichcouldworkalongsidefutureMetrodeliveryorganisationstoensureregionalcoordinationofMetro-ledregeneration to avoid duplication
Section 06
Bibliography
6.0 Bibliography
DocumentsBlaenauGwentCountyBoroughCouncil,LocalDevelopmentPlanupto2021,2012
BridgendCountyBoroughCouncil,LocalDevelopment Plan2006-2021,2013
CaerphillyCountyBorough,LocalDevelopmentPlanUpto2021,2010
CardiffCityCouncil,GreenPaper,RebuildingMomentum,2013
CardiffCityCouncil,PreferredStrategy,2006–2026,October2012
CardiffCityCouncil,BackgroundTechnicalPaperNo1InitialSustainabilityAppraisalReport,AppendixB,BaselineInformationtotheCardiffLocalDevelopmentPlan,October2012
Heads of the Valleys Development Company, Circuit of Wales Design and Access Statement, 2013
MerthyrTydfilCountyBoroughCouncil,LocalDevelopmentPlan2006-2021,2011
MonmouthsireCountyCouncil,LocalDevelopmentPlan,DepositPlanSeptember2011
NewportCityCouncil,LocalDevelopmentPlan,RevisedDeposit,June2013
RhonddaCynonTafCountyBoroughCouncil,LocalDevelopmentPlanupto2021,2011
TorfaenCountyBoroughCouncil,LocalDevelopmentPlan,DepositPlan,March2011
SEWTA,SEWTAUpdate,March2012
WelshGovernment,OneWalesOnePlanet,2009
WelshGovernment,Tourism2020,2013
WelshGovernment,VibrantandViablePlaces,2013
WelshGovernment,WelshIndicesofMultipleDeprivation2011,SummaryReport,2011
Welsh Government, Will the VLE Strategy Reduce the Barriers to Employment for the EconomicallyInactiveLivinginthePoorestPartsoftheValleys?WelshGovernmentSocialResearch,2013
Vale of Glamorgan Council, Vale of Glamorgan Local Development Plan, Deposit Plan, January 2012
Websiteshttp://wales.gov.uk/topics/childrenyoungpeople/rights/sevencoreaims
http://wales.gov.uk/topics/businessandeconomy
http://www.rcthomes.co.uk
http://www.insidehousing.co.uk
http://www.plan4sustainabletravel.org
Regeneration & The Metro 67
Bibliography
Section 06
http://wales.gov.uk/about/cabinet/cabinetstatements/2013/Acttravbillintro
http://wales.gov.uk/topics/environmentcountryside
Study led by Mark Barry of M&G Barry Consulting and included Capita, Powell Dobson Urbanists, Jones Lang LaSalle and Steer Davies Gleave
www.metroconsortium.co.uk
Supporting documents:
• Appendices to Main Report• Metro Interventions Appraisal Report• Metro Modal Study• Metro Spatial Map• Station Design Guidelines (Ebbw Vale)• Metro Funding and Financing Independent Advice• Metro Economic Impacts