Keeping Cardiff moving through the winter

Posted by Now Cardiff on Jan 22, 2013

Cardiff Council has plans in place to ensure the city is kept moving during severe winter weather such as tomorrow’s predicted snow.

Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning‚ Highways & Transportation, Councillor Ralph Cook said: ““A robust plan has been put together to make sure we do everything possible to keep Cardiff moving through the predicted snow tomorrow and through the winter. The winter maintenance plan has been in place since the start of November and will run until the beginning of March, or longer depending on weather conditions.

“You can help the Council by being public spirited, for instance assisting any vulnerable neighbours you are aware of and by doing your bit to help your community if we experience heavy snowfalls. Information is readily available on the Council website which gives the advice you need, with the Snow Code providing step-by-step guidance on what to do when you are clearing snow from pavements and other public areas.”

As one of several measures to improve the Council’s resilience during a future snow event, a salt barn has been built and by the end of November, Cardiff will have approximately 6,000 tonnes of salt available.  This is approximately 50% more than the amount of salt that it used during the winter period two years ago and is greater than the Welsh Local Government Association recommendation.”

Resources are on stand-by 24 hours a day during the winter period (between November and March inclusive) to ensure that salting can be undertaken promptly once it is needed. The Council uses a fleet of 12 vehicles to spread salt on the roads following prescribed routes and vehicles are also fitted with ploughs to help with clearing snow from roads if needed. The pre-salting operation usually starts within one hour of the decision being taken to start salting and takes approximately four hours to complete.

Out of more that 600 miles of roads across Cardiff, a priority network of routes have been identified following a consultation with transport providers, the police and emergency services and will be salted when freezing conditions are forecast.

This network is a little under half of the total adopted highway within Cardiff and comprises Principal Roads, B Roads, some C Roads, and other non-classified roads [namely Bus Routes].

A list of roads that will   be   pre-salted   can be found on the Council’s website: www.cardiff.gov.uk/winterweather

Several cycle routes will be treated where they form part of the carriageway which is part of a designated salting route. In situations where the forecast conditions do not require all of the prescribed network to be salted, only the Principal Roads, roads identified as colder than average and known wet areas will be treated. This will be just over a quarter of the adopted highway across Cardiff. It is important that all road users take extra care at times when winter weather conditions are being experienced.

A limited network of footways will be salted when ice or snow is forecast.   A priority list of footways has been developed in accordance with guidance from the Institute of Highways & Transportation. The highest priority, which is based on footfall, are the main pedestrianised areas within the city centre.  These will be pre-treated when local surface temperatures are forecast to fall below zero. Further details on footway salting can be found on the Council’s website: www.cardiff.gov.uk/winterweather

Following a snow event, the Council’s objective will be to restore its Principal Roads and remainder of the treated network, and also the priority footway areas in the city centre to a serviceable condition as soon as practically possible.

The Council’s priority will be the Principal Roads and core bus routes throughout the city. Once the Principal Roads and core bus routes are returned to a serviceable state, the remainder of the pre-treated network will be tackled.

More than 500 Salt containers are provided across Cardiff where a need has been identified on routes that are not located along the pre-salting network. These salt containers are provided for use by members of the public and also the emergency services on the adopted highway.

The locations can be found on the Council’s website www.cardiff.gov.uk/winterweather. Each container is checked and refilled prior to the start of the winter season and any that are found to be damaged are replaced as necessary.

As well as keeping the website up to date with the latest service information during severe weather, the Council has also provided snow information and tips to help keep members of the public and their family safe during periods of bad weather. For more information including the Welsh Governments Snow Code, please visit at www.cardiff.gov.uk/winterweather,

Drama curtain “going up” at Central Library

Posted by Now Cardiff on Oct 10, 2012

A unique way of enjoying theatre and drama will take place on Friday, October 26 at Cardiff Central Library. Going Up – a promenade performance will see the audience moving around the library to watch extracts of different famous plays.

Working with event partner Drama Association Wales the audience will meet in the foyer of Central Library, which, for the night will become an airport. “Airport workers” will mingle with the guests, checking tickets, assisting with check in, scanning luggage etc

The audience will then travel around the library following the various scenes as it plays up the escalators and through the rest of the library. Extracts from the following plays will be performed,  Departures by John Godber, Lady in the Van  by Alan Bennett,, A View from the Bridge by Arthur Miller,  Private Lives by Noel Coward, The Helper by Stephen James Quantick, Oh, What A Lovely War! by Charles Chirlton, Assassins  by Stephen Sondheim/ John Weidman

Cabinet Member for Education and Life Long Learning, Cllr Julia Magill said,” Central Library has never been used in this way before and the event will bring a new dimension to the library and how we use it as a community space bringing many parts of the library to life with well renowned literature and plays.

“The event is also a fantastic opportunity to showcase local talent from the Drama Association Wales and deliver a unique and exciting performance.”

Tickets, which cost £5, are available at the library

For more information on Cardiff Libraries visit www.cardiff.gov.uk/librarieswww.cardiff.gov.uk/libraries

Fairwater Leisure Centre opens its doors after refurbishment project

Posted by Now Cardiff on Sep 21, 2012

Following the refurbishment of Fairwater Leisure Centre, customers are invited to attend a free open weekend to view the new modern facility.

On Saturday 22 and Sunday 23, September between 11.30am and 4pm customers can come along and try out the new leisure facilities as well as learn what activities and classes are now on offer at the centre.

Cabinet Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Huw Thomas said: “Fairwater Leisure Centre is almost 30 years old and is at the heart of the local community.

“This refurbishment has improved  the facility extensively not only demonstrating the Council’s commitment to providing facilities which match the standard of the private sector, but also making leisure and sporting activities more accessible to everyone.

“The open day is a great opportunity for families in the area and local community to come along and enjoy what is on offer at this excellent, new facility.”

The renovated leisure centre now boasts a state-of-the-art air conditioned fitness room with approximately 30 new exercise stations including a variety of cardio vascular machines, power plates and load and loose weight equipment.

There is also a new licensed coffee shop, a dance studio and a multi purpose activity room.

There will be free fitness sessions for the adults including step, circuits, boxercise, zumba, pilates, yoga, spin, line dancing and kettlebells.

Mums-to-be can enjoy free Bump into Action anti natal sessions and there will be fun activities provided for children on Sunday, 23 September.

Visitors over 18 attending the open weekend can enter a competition to win six months free membership with full access to the new leisure facilities.

The Fairwater Leisure Centre refurbishment is one of a number of improvements to leisure centres to be carried out across the city over the next year.

This includes the refurbishment of Eastern Leisure Centre and additional improvements to be carried out on Pentwyn and Llanishen Leisure Centres.

Times of classes can be found on the facility programme at the leisure centre or at www.cardiff.gov.uk/leisure or call 029 2055 2210.

 

Council and police tackle Cathays burglaries

Posted by Now Cardiff on Sep 20, 2012

Cardiff Council and South Wales Police are joining forces to target the security of private rented accommodation in the Cathays Community Ward.

The Cathays Community Ward is subject to the Council’s Additional Licensing Scheme for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), which covers over 1000 properties in the area. The purpose of the scheme is to improve the standard of rented property within the Cathays area. Additional Licensing also aims to tackle wider community issues such as property security. Therefore, a set of specific security standards for HMOs in Cathays were agreed between Cardiff Council, South Wales Police and South Wales Fire and Rescue. Despite this, the area has one of the highest crime rates for burglaries in all of Cardiff.

Nevertheless, working in partnership, Cardiff Council and South Wales Police have now identified a number of streets in the area targeted by burglars in the past few years. In addition, a list has been compiled of properties where licensing works are outstanding as well as HMOs which appear licensable but where no licence has been applied for.

The aim is to work with landlords to make multi-occupied rented accommodation in the area more secure based on intelligence from police reports for means of entry.

Councillor Lynda Thorne, Cardiff Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Housing and Social Justice, said: "Anyone who has been the victim of burglary, or an attempted burglary, knows how distressing this experience can be. As a partnership we want to reduce the number of residents that fall victim to this type of crime by being proactive and putting a range of preventative measures in place.”

Over 50 inspections have been arranged jointly between Cardiff Council and South Wales Police in Cathays.  These will allow the Council to comply outstanding licensing and security works in already licensed HMOs and identify HMOs which still require a licence. The Police will focus their attention on educating landlords, agents and tenants on how to keep a property secure and raise the profile of neighbourhood policing.

Chief Inspector Steve Murray, Community Safety, said: “Cathays tends to have one of the highest rates of burglary of the city because of the high number of multi-occupancy properties. Combined with the arrival of students to the area, this provides rich pickings for criminals who know that most students will have valuables such as laptops and iPods that can be easily carried and sold on.”

“Our community safety department will be accompanying council officers on visits to houses in the area checking that security is up to standard and also to educate occupants.”

“Burglary can be an extremely traumatic experience and South Wales Police is committed to preventing break-ins and arresting those responsible. We ask residents to take the simple steps of locking doors and windows to significantly reduce their chances of being a victim of burglary.”

For more information about HMO Licensing visit:

http://www.cardiff.gov.uk/content.asp?nav=2867,3424,5082,4949&parent_directory_id=2865

Trading standards issues warning about tooth whitening

Posted by Now Cardiff on Sep 17, 2012

Cardiff Council’s Trading Standards is advising potential customers not to have their teeth whitened unless a dentist has assessed whether such treatment is right for them. Also, while tooth whitening can improve the appearance of natural teeth, it is important that people are fully aware of what to expect and how it can be conducted safely.

The popularity of teeth-whitening has increased tenfold in the past five years and at least 100,000 people have some form of treatment every year. However, there is particular concern over the dangers relating to the supply of illegal tooth whitening products both for use at home and the use of such products by people who are not registered with the General Dental Council.

Tooth whitening products contain bleach and should be used with caution. It is illegal, for example, to supply products which contain more than 0.1% hydrogen peroxide. Cardiff Trading Standards has successfully prosecuted one company for selling a home tooth whitening kit containing over 10% hydrogen peroxide and there have been reported cases of tooth whitening kits containing 30% hydrogen peroxide.

Other “bleaching” products such as sodium perborate and chlorine dioxide are being used by some lay people. These products are unsafe, often very acidic and their use is strongly discouraged.

Using too much bleach poses a real threat of permanent damage to a person’s health; tooth enamel may be damaged, and people can suffer prolonged and increased tooth sensitivity. Indeed, it’s possible to damage the nerve enough to require root canal therapy. Also, since the bleaching trays are not custom-fitted, the uneven distribution of bleach may cause spotting.

Furthermore, despite the widespread availability of products, most consumers are unaware that tooth whitening may only lawfully be provided by those who are registered dental professionals; specifically dentists, or dental hygienists or dental therapists working to a dentist’s prescription.

Provision by lay people is unlikely to be done in the controlled surroundings of a dental surgery, sometimes being done in beauty “parlours”, open areas in shopping centres or even in peoples own homes.

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