Traffic

The proposed development of 600 houses will result in an extra 1000 cars. Consequently during the morning and evening peak periods the tail back of traffic along Caerleon Rd will be extensive. Vehicles wishing to join Caerleon Rd from Edge Hill, Crown Lane and Selby Close will find it very difficult. Currently the traffic on the A4042 from the Pontypool direction at the morning peak often results in a tail back of some 60 vehicles.

The situation will only get worse. FLAG have suggested the introduction of slip roads at the island on the A4042.

Highway

The Trust's proposal is to widen Caerleon Rd by 2.4m, between the existing entrance to the Hospital and Mitchell Close resulting in the loss of the hedgerow and many trees. They also propose to create a traffic island at the entrance to the site in addition to establishing a new traffic access in that section plus a cycle and pedestrian entrance. All of which will not "improve the quality of life" of the current residents on Caerleon Rd.

The alternative suggested by FLAG i.e. a bypass, was objected to by the Trust on the grounds of involving 3rd party land, some 150m long and 6.5m wide to re-enter Caerleon Rd, south of Edge Hill. The land immediately adjacent to the Hospital site North and South is owned by WDA. The more likely reason for their objection is the possibility of a reduction in house numbers.

At a meeting on 5/7/06, Torfaen Planners and DTZ jointly appointed an independent consultant to compare and contrast the Caerleon Road widening scheme put forward by DTZ in the Outline Application against Torfaen’s preferred scheme of diverting the traffic off Caerleon Road and through the site, stopping off Caerleon Road and making the existing section of Caerleon Road adjacent to the Grange a cul-de-sac.

The consultant is expected to produce a draft report by the end of July. The better of the two options, as decided by the consultant, would be put forward as part of a Development Brief for public consultation and then submitted to the Planning Committee for a decision on Planning Consent.

FLAG raised a large number of concerns for consideration by the consultant, challenging the validity and accuracy of the surveyed and predicted traffic volume figures submitted in the Outline Application.

Flag raised concerns over a lack of capacity on Caerleon Road, Crown Road and the A4042 Turnpike Roundabout, concerns on road and pedestrian safety, on the destruction of the hedgerow and tree belt bordering Caerleon Road and the effect on the local ecology and residents of Llanfrechfa.

FLAG maintains that there should be a main throughroad through the site, with Caerleon Road traffic diverted through the site. This was the conclusion of the Inspector in his Report of the Local Public Enquiry on the current Local Development Plan, when the land on the site was allocated for housing redevelopment.

FLAG submitted a full highways proposal, including our own surveyed traffic figures and detailed drawings of a preferred route through the site, together with proposals for the Turnpike Roundabout with a pedestrian/cycle bridge over the A4042.

Flooding

Currently during heavy rain falls, Caerleon Rd and Crown Rise experience partial flooding from the park land at Llanfrechfa Grange. This condition will only deteriorate as a result of the development. The water table is very high in much of Llanfrechfa, this area was formally known as Springfield.

At the meeting on the 10/11/05 the subject of Drains was introduced by the Council curtailing discussions on highways. Duncan Smith refused to accept objections from FLAG even when he was made aware that we had a number of questions and issues to table. His response was, "submit the questions in writing", to which he was advised that FLAG will table them at a meeting in February.