Board 4 - Step 2: We Did

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Consultation has concluded

From Step 2 of our Community Engagement we identified 5 common themes which we have sought to address as we have developed our designs.

Here we explain how we have adapted our proposals from feedback received, and also where we have continued with our original proposals, setting out the reasons why.

Existing Buildings and Bridges

We understand the strength of feeling towards replacing the former ticket office building. Although many did understand and were supportive of the case for replacing them.

The road and building bridges need to be replaced within the next 20 years.

If they are incorporated into the new design now, the age and condition of these structures will continue to deteriorate and still need to be addressed in the future.

The Caerphilly Interchange project is an opportunity to replace these structures, fit for purpose for the next 100 years.

Replacing the road bridge with modern construction will remove the weight limit and enable buses to serve the south and west of the town.

Widening the road bridge creates space for cycle lanes and a wider pavement to improve active travel connections.

Most station users wait on platforms 1 and 2, and use the lower level to access the buses. This level is therefore the best place for toilets and the ticket office, not bridge level.

In consideration of the concerns over loss of heritage, the design team explored retaining the platform building.

However, its narrow proportions and level difference make it a very constrained space.

Our proposals for “Effortless Interchange” with clear, accessible and intuitive circulation between the buses and trains were also some of the most well received.

The pedestrian overbridge only available between platforms 1 and 2 will be replaced by a covered bridge that is within the station envelope and is directly accessible from Cardiff Road.

Accessibility and Safety

All routes through the station will be fully accessible. Utilising ramps that rise incrementally in the bus concourse allows level access at each bus bay as well as a step free journey between platforms and the bus concourse.

Some respondents raised the question of pick-up and drop-off.

There will be two fully accessible pick-up and drop-off spaces at the main entrance for an easier route into the station for customers with reduced mobility.

The new interchange will provide female and male toilets, a gender neutral toilet, accessible toilet, baby change room, and a changing places room which some respondents were keen to be included. The design allows these facilities to be closed in sections to respond to reduced demand at evenings and weekends.

There will also be through-lifts on both platforms to provide a fully accessible route across the railway.

The potential issue of lift break down was raised. We have avoided the use of hydraulic lifts which tend to have more frequent maintenance issues opting for more reliable traction lifts.

It is not an option to retain the ramp on platform 3 as part of our proposals as it is very steep and not accessible. Its replacement with lifts also creates space for the creation of pavement along King Edward Avenue which can be used to provide a gentler route between Platform 3 and Bridge level.

Materiality, Heritage, and Character

The library was cited as a popular example of the use of natural stone materials in keeping with the local context.

The new interchange will utilise locally sourced Blue Pennant Stone as a key material, and where possible will be recycled from the existing site.

The new butterfly roof creates height which signpost the main entrances, which also respond to local landmarks, reflecting the spire of St Martin’s Church and providing views to Caerphilly Castle.

While Caerphilly Town centre is focused around the medieval castle, the industrial heritage of the wider borough has been referenced through the use of exposed painted steel elements with expressed bolted connections referencing the coal mining buildings of the Rhymney Valley.

We were also inspired by the artwork of Onya McCausland who created a unique paint colour - Six Bells Red - from local coal mine deposits and we aspire to reference this colour palette in our designs.

We intend to work closely with Caerphilly County Borough Council to incorporate public art into the station buildings and public realm.

Active Travel

Some great points were raised addressing the needs of walking and cycling and road safety in general.

The new interchange must allow for the development of the future active travel network, as well as enabling interchange between bicycle and other transport modes.

Following feedback about pedestrian conflicts, the Active Travel Hub with secure cycle parking and locker facilities is now located at bridge level.

This allows more options for cycle journeys as it is connected to bi-directional cycle lanes on Cardiff Road.

Connections between train and bicycle are made more convenient with equal access to both platforms.

We have continued to provide an active travel corridor from east to west. Space constraints along Station Terrace currently make it impossible to safely serve cyclists travelling from west to east and this will be a key part of ongoing work being undertaken by the WelTAG and Caerphilly 2035 design teams as part of the town-wide active travel strategy.

To enable future connections, a segregated contraflow cycle route has been provided from Cardiff Road junction to the main entrance.

Buses, Taxis and Parking

Following engagement with CCBC and the taxi trade, five taxi spaces in a single, dedicated rank adjacent to the main route into the station and away from residential properties is provided to serve the Interchange

The bus apron will be upgrades to provide 12 bus stands, 4 layover spaces, with safer access and manoeuvring.

Some respondents highlighted the issues of smoking, pollution, and suitable waiting space.

The bus concourse is a naturally ventilated internal covered space protected from the weather.

The conditioned waiting rooms are non-smoking and fully glazed to make them feel safe and secure. We have moved these to be more central to all bus stands.

We have also provided seating at each stand to allow people to wait closer to their bus.

To provide a safe and accessible entrance, and address the conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians, the current short-stay car park needs to be moved. Due to the constraints of the site, the best place for this is to the east.

It will provide 12 spaces, four of which are fully accessible.

Some respondents raised the question of what will happen to the existing long-stay CCBC car park.

As well as the short-stay car park, this area is also required to enable the active travel corridor (part of the adopted 2019 Placemaking Plan), and to enable future bus routes from the east.

The existing park and rider car park is proposed to be retained to continue to serve the car parking needs of the interchange.

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From Step 2 of our Community Engagement we identified 5 common themes which we have sought to address as we have developed our designs.

Here we explain how we have adapted our proposals from feedback received, and also where we have continued with our original proposals, setting out the reasons why.

Existing Buildings and Bridges

We understand the strength of feeling towards replacing the former ticket office building. Although many did understand and were supportive of the case for replacing them.

The road and building bridges need to be replaced within the next 20 years.

If they are incorporated into the new design now, the age and condition of these structures will continue to deteriorate and still need to be addressed in the future.

The Caerphilly Interchange project is an opportunity to replace these structures, fit for purpose for the next 100 years.

Replacing the road bridge with modern construction will remove the weight limit and enable buses to serve the south and west of the town.

Widening the road bridge creates space for cycle lanes and a wider pavement to improve active travel connections.

Most station users wait on platforms 1 and 2, and use the lower level to access the buses. This level is therefore the best place for toilets and the ticket office, not bridge level.

In consideration of the concerns over loss of heritage, the design team explored retaining the platform building.

However, its narrow proportions and level difference make it a very constrained space.

Our proposals for “Effortless Interchange” with clear, accessible and intuitive circulation between the buses and trains were also some of the most well received.

The pedestrian overbridge only available between platforms 1 and 2 will be replaced by a covered bridge that is within the station envelope and is directly accessible from Cardiff Road.

Accessibility and Safety

All routes through the station will be fully accessible. Utilising ramps that rise incrementally in the bus concourse allows level access at each bus bay as well as a step free journey between platforms and the bus concourse.

Some respondents raised the question of pick-up and drop-off.

There will be two fully accessible pick-up and drop-off spaces at the main entrance for an easier route into the station for customers with reduced mobility.

The new interchange will provide female and male toilets, a gender neutral toilet, accessible toilet, baby change room, and a changing places room which some respondents were keen to be included. The design allows these facilities to be closed in sections to respond to reduced demand at evenings and weekends.

There will also be through-lifts on both platforms to provide a fully accessible route across the railway.

The potential issue of lift break down was raised. We have avoided the use of hydraulic lifts which tend to have more frequent maintenance issues opting for more reliable traction lifts.

It is not an option to retain the ramp on platform 3 as part of our proposals as it is very steep and not accessible. Its replacement with lifts also creates space for the creation of pavement along King Edward Avenue which can be used to provide a gentler route between Platform 3 and Bridge level.

Materiality, Heritage, and Character

The library was cited as a popular example of the use of natural stone materials in keeping with the local context.

The new interchange will utilise locally sourced Blue Pennant Stone as a key material, and where possible will be recycled from the existing site.

The new butterfly roof creates height which signpost the main entrances, which also respond to local landmarks, reflecting the spire of St Martin’s Church and providing views to Caerphilly Castle.

While Caerphilly Town centre is focused around the medieval castle, the industrial heritage of the wider borough has been referenced through the use of exposed painted steel elements with expressed bolted connections referencing the coal mining buildings of the Rhymney Valley.

We were also inspired by the artwork of Onya McCausland who created a unique paint colour - Six Bells Red - from local coal mine deposits and we aspire to reference this colour palette in our designs.

We intend to work closely with Caerphilly County Borough Council to incorporate public art into the station buildings and public realm.

Active Travel

Some great points were raised addressing the needs of walking and cycling and road safety in general.

The new interchange must allow for the development of the future active travel network, as well as enabling interchange between bicycle and other transport modes.

Following feedback about pedestrian conflicts, the Active Travel Hub with secure cycle parking and locker facilities is now located at bridge level.

This allows more options for cycle journeys as it is connected to bi-directional cycle lanes on Cardiff Road.

Connections between train and bicycle are made more convenient with equal access to both platforms.

We have continued to provide an active travel corridor from east to west. Space constraints along Station Terrace currently make it impossible to safely serve cyclists travelling from west to east and this will be a key part of ongoing work being undertaken by the WelTAG and Caerphilly 2035 design teams as part of the town-wide active travel strategy.

To enable future connections, a segregated contraflow cycle route has been provided from Cardiff Road junction to the main entrance.

Buses, Taxis and Parking

Following engagement with CCBC and the taxi trade, five taxi spaces in a single, dedicated rank adjacent to the main route into the station and away from residential properties is provided to serve the Interchange

The bus apron will be upgrades to provide 12 bus stands, 4 layover spaces, with safer access and manoeuvring.

Some respondents highlighted the issues of smoking, pollution, and suitable waiting space.

The bus concourse is a naturally ventilated internal covered space protected from the weather.

The conditioned waiting rooms are non-smoking and fully glazed to make them feel safe and secure. We have moved these to be more central to all bus stands.

We have also provided seating at each stand to allow people to wait closer to their bus.

To provide a safe and accessible entrance, and address the conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians, the current short-stay car park needs to be moved. Due to the constraints of the site, the best place for this is to the east.

It will provide 12 spaces, four of which are fully accessible.

Some respondents raised the question of what will happen to the existing long-stay CCBC car park.

As well as the short-stay car park, this area is also required to enable the active travel corridor (part of the adopted 2019 Placemaking Plan), and to enable future bus routes from the east.

The existing park and rider car park is proposed to be retained to continue to serve the car parking needs of the interchange.

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