Outcomes from Step 1

To help put in context our proposals, this Tile contains a simple summary of what we have learned from the information gathered during Step 1 of this community engagement, and how this has influenced us during concept design.

Are there any problems or issues or problems in this place?

What we learnt

• Congestion, Pollution and Road Safety highlight particular issues with vehicles and movement. Addressing these issues while increasing transport capacity within a constrained site requires a joined-up approach, and we are working very closely with the Active Travel and Placemaking design teams.
• Issues with the type of cycle parking, quality of toilets and conveniences as well as security mean that basic facilities do not meet the needs of passengers. We propose to overhaul all customer facilities within a new interchange building.
• Barriers, obstacles, poor signage and information are also commonly selected problems. The new interchange will be fully accessible, and we are working with TfW and Bus Operators to ensure clear information to all transport modes.

Learn more at the Tiles below:

https://caerphillyinterchange.commonplace.is/proposals/a-new-gateway-to-caerphilly/step1

How could the place be improved?

What we learnt

• Addressing air quality and introducing greenery stand apart as the highest priorities and work hand-in-hand. More immediate design measures will be incorporated alongside longer term plans to de-carbonise public transport and encourage more active travel (walking and cycling).
• There is a fairly even distribution among the remaining possible improvements are well represented in the responses, with cycle parking provision, welfare facilities, new shops and community facilities the most popular. We propose to activate the new interchange and public spaces with new retail and community amenity.
• Improved security is also a key issue we aim to address, and this was also borne our by many additional comments received.

Learn more at the Tiles below: 

https://caerphillyinterchange.commonplace.is/proposals/a-new-destination/step1

https://caerphillyinterchange.commonplace.is/proposals/the-environment-sustainability/step1

How do you travel to and from Caerphilly Station?

What we learnt

• Walking to the station is already well represented among passengers. We will  maintain good pedestrian links via multiple entrances to continue to support this.
• Bicycle use was higher than expected and along with enthusiasm for active travel in many comments received, catering for cycling will be key to the success of the interchange.
• The Park and Ride facilities are popular. While it is an objective of the project to encourage more people to use public transport and active travel we recognise that continuing to cater for car users will be key to many journeys.

Learn more at the Tiles below:

https://caerphillyinterchange.commonplace.is/proposals/a-new-southern-entrance/step1

https://caerphillyinterchange.commonplace.is/proposals/the-eastern-approach/step1

What transport modes do you interchange between?

What we learnt

• The vast majority of people in our sample who use cars as part of their journey travel onwards by train. Our proposals improve access to the interchange from the east by introducing new quicker routes to Platforms 1 & 2.
• Most cyclists appear to use trains, which may indicate that taking their bicycles onboard is important. While new TfW rolling stock will have more space for bicycles, we intend to provide plenty of secure cycle parking at the interchange, too.
• Many people do not change transport modes. The station is their gateway to and from the town and connectivity between the interchange, high street and further afield must be improved.

Learn more at the Tiles below:

https://caerphillyinterchange.commonplace.is/proposals/effortless-interchange1/step1

https://caerphillyinterchange.commonplace.is/proposals/a-new-gateway-to-caerphilly/step1

For what purpose do you travel?

Which station entrance do you use?

What we learnt

• The north and east entrances are the most used as this is where most people are coming from and going to. The focal point of the interchange should remain along this north edge.
• The vast majority of station users are commuting towards Cardiff or heading there for shopping or leisure. It is important to support these journeys from Platforms 1 and 2, as well as providing a proper arrival experience at Platform 3 as part of the objective to create a new gateway to the town.
• Few respondents use the station to visit the Castle, which highlights a key issue with the current station – it is not a clear choice for visitors, with many travelling via car or coach.
• Along with increased frequency in services we want to design an arrival experience at Caerphilly Interchange which involves the castle as part of the journey.

Learn more at the Tiles below:

https://caerphillyinterchange.commonplace.is/proposals/a-new-gateway-to-caerphilly/step1

https://caerphillyinterchange.commonplace.is/proposals/a-new-southern-entrance/step1

Your Feedback

In addition to the data obtained through your answers to specific questions, we gained a wealth of information from comments made in response to the ‘free text’ questions at the end of the survey.

There has been such a wide variety of ideas and issues shared which would be impossible to summarise here, however we have sought to address many of the suggestions as part of our design proposals directly, and included key quotes to highlight these.