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,

Retail sales figures back up shopworkers’ experience of Olympic Sunday trading suspension

Posted by Now Cardiff on Sep 21, 2012

Figures released today by the Office for National Statistics, which show retail sales in August fell by 0.2%, back up the experience of shopworkers who say most of their stores were either quiet or empty during extended Olympic Sunday trading hours.

Earlier this week, the shopworkers’ union Usdaw revealed that 65% of over 700 reps surveyed said their stores were either quiet or empty during extra Sunday trading hours. Just 5% said they were busier than on a normal Sunday.

The survey also revealed that retailers struggled to find volunteers to cover the extra hours needed, with 56% of reps saying staff were put under pressure to work extra hours.

The experience of shopworkers has also been backed up by retailers such as Lakeland, who just yesterday slammed longer Sunday opening hours for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, saying they only “increased costs for no benefit”.

Typical comments from Usdaw reps on how busy their stores were included:

• “Waste of time being open extra hours as very quiet (almost empty) before 9.30am and after 2.30pm.”
• “The store was virtually empty. Customer service, clothing and electrical, pharmacy, opticians and direct desk were all closed. The move was a total failure.”
• “The additional hours of 4.00 to 8.00pm in our store were quiet most of the time, bordering on empty on occasions. “
• “Workplace was quiet after 4.00pm. Paid more on lighting and staff than went through till.”
• “Took same amount as usual – no extra benefit to takings at all – took normal amount just over longer period.”
• “I know personally we took no extra income from opening extra hours and people were forced to change their usual work patterns to accommodate.”

John Hannett, Usdaw General Secretary said:

“Our survey, together with today’s ONS figures and those from retailers such as Lakeland, show that the government’s decision to suspend Sunday trading laws for the Olympic and Paralympic Games was a mistake – both socially and economically.

“As we warned at the time, opening stores for longer doesn’t increase consumer spending but it does increase retailers’ costs, putting even further pressure on margins at precisely the wrong time.

“Meanwhile, stores were kept open by thousands of shopworkers who would have much preferred to have spent their valuable Sundays with family and friends and, like the rest of the country, cheering on their Olympic and Paralympic heroes.”

New homeless centre opens in Cardiff

Posted by Now Cardiff on Sep 17, 2012

The new state of the art Single Assessment Centre on Dumballs Road was officially opened today by Huw Lewis AM, Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage alongside Cardiff Councils Cabinet Member for Communities, Housing and Social Justice, Cllr Lynda Thorne and Howard Gough Chair of the Huggard.

The new centre replaces the former Tresillian House hostel, as well as the Huggard hostel and day centre and marks a new era for homeless provision in the Capital

Funded by Cardiff Council, The Welsh Government, Hafod Housing Association, Huggard and the Big Lottery the new  £9.4 million provision provides a partnership approach to tackling homelessness.

The Single Assessment Centre includes a health suite where health services can be accessed and will comprise two hostels with 44 ensuite bedrooms and 16 overnight emergency beds, a new Huggard Day Centre along with training and development facilities including a café which will help retrain those living in the centre.

Cabinet Member for Communities, Housing and Social Justice, Cllr Lynda Thorne, said: ‘This is an exciting new service for those in housing need within the city.  It provides joined up services by many partner organisation who are working together to prevent homelessness and limit its often devastating effects’.

“The new centre will be a leading example not only in Wales but the rest of the UK on how to provide homeless provision and help rehabilitate some of the community’s most vulnerable people.

“The centre offers an all encompassing service with a medical centre, young person’s advisory service, and will provide training opportunities.”

The Hostel will be run by a number of key service providers including Cardiff Council, The Huggard, the Salvation Army, Llamau, and the Cardiff & Vale University Health Board.

Cllr Thorne, added: “The new centre is a prime example of skilled organisations working together to provide the best solution. Together their expertise will help to not only give people a bed for the night but help people get back on their feet.

“The centre on Dumballs Road has been a long time coming and will set a benchmark to ourselves and other councils across the UK in how homeless people should be treated.”

Contractor Cowlin Construction were commissioned to build the state of the art centre which features three sedum roofs, various external finishes with gardens and an allotment.

Housing Regeneration and Heritage Minister Huw Lewis said: “It is a pleasure to open this first class facility and I am delighted that Welsh Government funding has contributed to both the construction and the running of the centre. Housing all the services in one building will mean that the centre is not just providing a roof over people’s heads but also helping them to address any other issues they have and to find a long term home. It is an excellent example of what can be achieved when government, local authorities and the third sector all work together.”

Howard Gough the Chair of Huggard  said  “Huggard exists to support and empower homeless people to achieve their maximum potential in life and this development will provide the absolutely best facilities available to enable the organisation to achieve this.”

He also paid tribute to the Welsh Government and Cardiff Council for their long standing policies for fighting social exclusion.

The ceremony also commemorated the work of Paul Summers, the architect who designed the scheme but sadly passed away before the buildings were constructed.

Cardiff International White Water Wins National Award

Posted by Now Cardiff on Sep 13, 2012

Cardiff International White Water (CIWW) has won the ‘Facility of the Year’ award from Canoe and Kayak UK, Britain’s leading canoe magazine.

CIWW topped the chart, beating other high profile venues including the ‘Lee Valley White Water Centre’ that was a host venue at the London 2012 Olympics.

The judges commentated that they were “consistently impressed with how paddler-friendly the running and organisation of CIWW is…and paddlers always feel welcomed by the friendly and enthusiastic staff. CIWW is one of the country’s best venues and a deserving winner of the CKUK Facility of the Year.”

Cabinet Member for Sport, Culture and Leisure, Cllr Huw Thomas said “The on-demand white water course is an exceptional facility for paddlers, and it provides a variety of great courses that can be enjoyed by different age groups, from beginners through to elite.

“Events such as the 2012 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup, which saw Olympic silver medallists David Florence and Richard Hounslow emerge victorious, have also helped CIWW firmly establish itself as a world class venue for paddle sports.”

He added: “”This award also shows what a great asset the staff are to the centre and how their commitment helps provide a first class service to those using the facility, I would like to personally congratulate them on this achievement."

The venue is open all year around and provides a variety of exciting courses from Canoe and Kayaking to Stand Up Paddle Boarding. Visitors can also enjoy adrenaline fuelled white water rafting sessions.

It also provides a variety of packages from hen and stag parties to corporate and team building days.

In Spring 2013 CIWW will open an indoor simulated surf machine, which will add further to the visitor experience. Suitable for all abilities from board sport enthusiasts to complete beginners the machine will provide everyone in the capital the chance to ‘hit the surf’ in the city.

The new machine in Cardiff will be one of only a handful of machines that offers a double-lane surfing experience which means that, meaning groups of friends and family can take the plunge together.

Council’s scrutiny committee considers families first procurement

Posted by Now Cardiff on Sep 10, 2012

Cardiff Council’s Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee will consider how important changes to funding for projects supporting vulnerable families and young people in the city, will be communicated to those already receiving services.

Members of the committee will focus on the commissioning of services under the Welsh Government’s “Families First” project, set to take place in April 2013, which will replace the current ‘Cymorth’ funding which supports deprived young people across Wales.

The report will be presented at the Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday 11 September 2012.

Families First is a Welsh Government initiative promoting the development of effective multi-agency systems and support for families across Wales, particularly those living in poverty, with a clear emphasis on prevention and early intervention.

Scrutiny members will consider the type of services that Families First will fund and the arrangements being put in place to inform people of the changes that will affect them.

Cllr Siobhan Corria, Chair of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee said: “My main concern is for the families and young people who are currently receiving services through Cymorth funding, and how they will be given information about if and how the transition from Cymorth to Families First will affect them.

“We are only six months away from the introduction of Families First and as a Scrutiny Committee we are keen to look into the planned communication arrangements, and find out how we as elected community champions can best support the communication.”

The Committee will also explore in more detail both the Commissioners’ intentions in delivering outcomes based on strategic needs, and their plans for supporting and informing both providers and service users through the remainder of the procurement exercise and into the new Families First funding regime.

This includes looking into how and when service users will be informed about the transition of services from Cymorth to Families First funding, and about the new services coming on line to replace the former Cymorth-funded services. The committee will also consider how needs were identified, and evidence of the link between needs and the services that have been commissioned, plus a broad outline of the next steps and timescales ahead of the implementation in April 2013.