Two groups of angry protesters demonstrated outside Caerphilly Council’s offices yesterday, July 22, as councillors attended a full council meeting.
Residents are angry at plans approved by the cabinet to build a road through a primary school field for access to a park and ride car park at Ystrad Mynach station.
The protesters claim that the road will take away playing space used by Ystrad Mynach Primary School and Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Bro Alta and affect outdoor learning.
They are also concerned about traffic, which the Welsh Government estimate will increase by ten percent should the plan go ahead.
Brenda Thomas, Chair of Ystrad Mynach Primary School Governors, said; “It’s a greatly used field, not only by ourselves but by Bro Alta and as and when by associations such as the Scouts and Beavers.
“This is a campaign against planning and the foolhardiness of the council. If you haven’t got a school field how can you have good wellbeing.?
The car park is part of a Welsh Government plan that would provide 150 car park spaces for the park and ride.
The proposal was approved in theory by cabinet members in May and will now be subject to a planning application.
A Caerphilly Council spokesperson said the land required for the road is not used for sport and that usable grass space would not be reduced by the scheme.
They also said the Welsh Government are “willing to consider enhancement works to improve the availability and efficient use of space”.
They said: “The council works closely with Welsh Government to consider ways of improving the public transport infrastructure across the county borough.
“The feasibility of a new park and ride scheme in Ystrad Mynach is one such project that was initially discussed back in 2014.
“Welsh Government have now developed these proposals and they are being progressed through the appropriate decision-making channels, which will include consultation and the consideration of a planning application in due course.”
Protesters also gathered to call on the council not to close Cefn Fforest Leisure Centre.
They handed in a petition to keep the centre open, signed by almost 3,000 people.
The leisure centre is threatened with closure under plans by Caerphilly County Borough Council to reorganise their leisure services.
Blackwood resident Paula Dauncey said: “I learnt to swim at Cefn Fforest and my daughters are now learning there.
“It’s not about not improving our leisure services it’s about keeping and enhancing what we’ve got and building new, better leisure centres.”
Blackwood Town councillor, Delwyn Davies, said he had contacted all the local primary schools and that they are against any plans to close the centre.
Cllr Davies said: “It’s going to affect everyone in the community, from the early morning swim for the elderly to schoolchildren.”
A council spokesperson said no decision has been made to close Cefn Fforest or any other leisure centre in the county borough.
Good work everybody
Do you include the Council in that sentiment?
No not at all, Caerphilly Council are a complete laughing stock especially those at the top end, Its too much money driven, The Caerphilly Borough has so much to offer but its a shame the Councillors don’t see it.