Cardiff council has issued an update on work which has left a popular city park dug up for weeks during the summer holidays. Work to relay the footpaths in Grange Gardens in Grangetown began on the last weekend of June and was expected to last five weeks, with the paths closed off to park-goers.
However, more than seven weeks on, the work there is still ongoing, with some areas still closed off and huge slabs of the removed paths piled up behind railings in the centre of the park. While much of the park is still accessible, residents have expressed frustration at the delays, with the work coming during the summer holidays.
The council have now explained why the completion of the resurfacing project has been delayed, and said that a key stage of the work is close to being finished. You can get the latest news from Grangetown and across Cardiff sent straight to your inbox for free by signing up to our newsletters.
READ MORE: The Cardiff playground that's been shut for more than two years because it keeps flooding
The work forms part of the council parks department's review of footpath safety across the city's parks. It involves relaying around 2,000 square metres of the footpaths at Grange Gardens, removing the old and damaged surface layer and replacing it with Fibredec surfacing.
Initially, the existing tarmac base course was to be kept, but it was found after it was unveiled that around 30% of it would need to be excavated, removed and re-tarmacked. The council say that this added between two and three weeks onto the programme of works, but otherwise, the project is on schedule.
Local residents have been left frustrated by the "inconvenient" works, with hundreds of children wanting to use the park during the summer holidays and the huge piles of rubble that have been partially fenced off also creating a potential hazard. Sharing a picture of the rubble on social media, one resident remarked: "Grange Gardens has been like this since before the start of the summer holidays. You have to question the timing of the council."
The park is one of the most popular green spaces in the local area and is home to the spectacular Grange Pavilion, which has remained open throughout the works, as well as the playground and 3G pitches. It was announced in June that nearby Grangemoor Park is to remain closed until the end of the year due to ongoing maintenance works.
A spokesperson for Cardiff Council said: "As part of Cardiff Council Parks departments review of existing footpath safety and conserving the heritage and character of the park, works were planned to relay 2000m2 of footpaths at Grange Gardens. Works include the removal of the old damaged resin bound gravel top layer. The existing tarmac basecourse was to be kept (for budget purposes) and a new layer of Fibredec Heritage surfacing will be added.
"As part of the existing surfacing removal, once the base course was unveiled, approximately 30% of the existing tarmac base course would need to be excavated, removed, and re-tarmacked. This is an unforeseen in construction despite pre construction excavations/tests. This added 2-3 weeks onto the original path programme, but apart from this, works are on schedule."
They added: " The reason works were selected during the summer was the new fibredec surfacing can only be laid in continuous dry conditions. Cardiff Council have also been waiting for 12 months for the surfacing contractor and material availability and this was the earliest date available.
"The park has remained open in phases during this time to allow public access throughout the works. The pavilion, Multi Use Games Area, and play area have remained open through the work. The public have been notified via public notices within the park, including local stake holders such as Grange Pavilion and Grange Gardens Friends Group.
"We are pleased to confirm the base preparation is close to completion. Cardiff Council will notify the public via onsite notices when the final surfacing will be installed. The new fibredec surfacing will provide a new level surface in keeping with the heritage and character of the park."
READ NEXT:
-
Pensioners 'isolated' by lack of bus services in Cardiff, says local councillor
-
The luxury million pound homes that are going to be built in one part of Cardiff
-
The hidden shipwreck in Cardiff you've probably never heard about
-
Hundreds of temporary flats to be built on Cardiff gasworks site in face of housing crisis
-
The amazing celebrations as Somali football team from Cardiff win dramatic Champions League final
