A full-scale traffic management scheme is being implemented in Talbot Green during the busy Christmas shopping period by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council working in partnership with South Wales Police.
Last year, the Council and Police facilitated a successful operation to keep traffic moving in Talbot Green in the run up to Christmas and during the sale period before the New Year. This was intended to avoid the congestion in the car parks and access road that had blighted shoppers in previous years.
This operation involved the traffic control of the access roundabouts to the Tesco store and the Talbot Green Retail Park by police officers on most Saturdays in December and the whole week before Christmas.
Also, police officers were in attendance on key dates between Christmas and the New Year period when traffic volumes are high because of the sale period in the stores. This police presence was funded by Tesco and the operators of the Retail Park.
Both Tesco and the Retail Park increased the presence of the marshals within their car parks to help vehicle circulation and assist customers to find parking spaces.
This operation was very successful last year in reducing the queues entering and, particularly, leaving the car parks and gained many favourable comments from the public.
Now officers of both the Council and police will implement a similar operation is to take place again this year to enable customers to experience a much more enjoyable shopping experience.
The dates that the enhanced measures will be in place are Saturday 11th December; Saturday 18th December; Monday 20th to Friday 24th December and also Monday 27th and Tuesday 28th of December.
In addition, Tesco has recently implemented an automatic number plate recognition camera system on the entrance and exit to their store. This will identify vehicles that have stayed longer than the three hours parking that is allowed in their car park.
The Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, Customer Care and Emergency Planning Cllr Andrew Morgan said: “We are pleased to be able to implement a similar traffic management system in Talbot Green as last year with the support of the police and local traders. Clearly this had a positive impact on traffic flows last Christmas and we would expect the plans put into place this year will also be a success.
“Additionally, people coming to shop in Talbot Green are also being encouraged to travel by public transport as frequent bus services operate from many of the surrounding areas including Beddau, Church Village, Llanharan, Llantrisant, Llantwit Fardre, Pontyclun, Tonypandy and Tonyrefail.
“The bus station is conveniently situated in the centre of Talbot Green and is a short walking distance from the Retail Park.”
Full timetable information about these bus services is available from the traveline enquiry service on 0871 200 22 33 or www.traveline.info.
