Penarth News
Speed bumps are back on Penarth's 'Dock Hill'
12:20pm Saturday 4th February 2012
THE Vale Council has re-installed the speed cushions on Paget Road hill - the main link between the town centre and the Marina.
Last month, the 'Dock Hill' road was closed for complete resurfacing while the old speed humps were taken away and the road given a smooth surfaced finish - to the delight of local residents.
But their joy was short-lived when the Vale authority closed the route again last week, for workmen to install several pairs of road humps on both sides.
One local resident, who didn't want to be named, said: "Despite complaints about them from motorists, cyclists, bus operators and passengers, the Council has decided to re-install the speed-humps.
"Bus passengers who had complained for years about the jolts they'd suffered were at last able to enjoy a smooth run to the marina - but the respite lasted only a few days."
A spokesperson for the Vale Council said the speed cushions were initially installed to deter ‘rat running’ through the Marina.
"The works on Paget Road were progressed in two parts, namely a highway maintenance resurfacing scheme and the re-introduction of highway safety improvements," said the spokesperson.
"The speed cushions were originally installed on Paget Road in an effort to deter rat running through Penarth Marina. These have been in place for a long time and have operated successfully. No concerns have been raised regarding their use.
"With the opening of the pedestrian/cycle route around Cardiff Bay and across Pont y Werin, the highway network in the area is being used more frequently by cyclists."
Operational manager for highways and engineering, Andrew Loosemore, added: "The highway resurfacing scheme is now complete and included the replacement of the original cushions in a slightly improved alignment to facilitate easier use by cyclists. The two elements had to be undertaken separately.
"Following discussions with Sustrans, further highway safety improvements of additional cushions and lane markings are to be provided at the junctions between Paget Road, Paget Terrace and Paget Place. These works were programmed to follow on from the resurfacing works completed previously."