if
it's about Cardiff..
Sport, Entertainment, Transportation, Business,
Development Projects, Leisure, Eating, Drinking,
Nightlife, Shopping, Train Spotting! etc.. then we want it here!
Simplistically it's all an accounting ruse to keep the liabilities 'off balance sheet' and, er, have erm, fixed indexed linked payments from the Government for decades to come to pay off the relevant infrastructure project undertaken.
If it sounds like a loan and looks like a loan and walks along the very edge of the definition of being a loan then just remember that it is NOT a loan - it's off balance sheet - so don't call it a loan.
Rather more significantly, it's the only way the Welsh Government can borrow at the moment.
Besides it's not a PFI, it's a "non-profit distribution" deal of the type first used by the SNP in Scotland, where the costs to the government are fixed at the start of the contract, instead of the taxpayer being stung for new costs all the way through as in PFI.
Simplistically it's all an accounting ruse to keep the liabilities 'off balance sheet' and, er, have erm, fixed indexed linked payments from the Government for decades to come to pay off the relevant infrastructure project undertaken.
If it sounds like a loan and looks like a loan and walks along the very edge of the definition of being a loan then just remember that it is NOT a loan - it's off balance sheet - so don't call it a loan.
Rather more significantly, it's the only way the Welsh Government can borrow at the moment.
Besides it's not a PFI, it's a "non-profit distribution" deal of the type first used by the SNP in Scotland, where the costs to the government are fixed at the start of the contract, instead of the taxpayer being stung for new costs all the way through as in PFI.
Costs for services delivered are fixed at the start of pfi contracts. It pfi in all but name. Its bad value for the taxpayer. By all means borrow for infrastructure, but do it using the lowest cost of finance?
"In 1992 PFI was implemented for the first time in the UK by the Conservative government of John Major ... PFI expanded considerably in 1996 and then expanded much further under Labour, resulting in criticism from many trade unions, elements of the Labour Party, the Scottish National Party (SNP), and the Green Party ..."
"In 1992 PFI was implemented for the first time in the UK by the Conservative government of John Major ... PFI expanded considerably in 1996 and then expanded much further under Labour, resulting in criticism from many trade unions, elements of the Labour Party, the Scottish National Party (SNP), and the Green Party ..."
I have not been checking frequently, so I could be behind the times, but it looks like the council have a new planning portal under Beta testing. I seem to remember someone saying their website hadn't been updated recently? Maybe that's because they have a new one? I could be wrong...
Usefully, it has a section on decisions as well as applications, but I've not looked into it in detail.
This isn't really about General Developments - but this is the nearest we have to an open thread.
I'm getting really fed up of the piecemeal, incoherent traffic planning on James Street and Clarence Rd.
Following the instilation of a new crossing to serve Mount Stuart School there are now no fewer than six seperate pedestrian crossings in the space of a couple of hundred yards between Clarence Road bridge and Bute Street. That would be bad enough but instead of a series of co-ordinated controlled crossings - it's a random mix of contolled and uncontrolled (zebra) crossings that's causing confusuion, traffic snarl-ups and aggresive driving from frustrated motorists.
I agree with you Ash. James St is a particularly hostile road to either cycle or drive down.
On a typical day the cycle lanes ALWAYS have cars or delivery vans parked in them (especially by the bookies). There are invariably swivel eyed aggressive pedestrians walking out onto the road without looking and shouting at passing traffic.
In addition, I find that there often seems to be a serious waft of cannabis drifting around from behind the former Spar store.
While you may well be right about the number, and poor coordination, of the crossings around there, the new raised crossing linking the south of canal park to the path west of the primary school is a great addition from a cycling perspective. Previously it was the worst section of the route from the ISV to the city centre (via canal park), now the route is largely continuous with no awkward bits to deal with, although the Loudoun Sq section is still less than ideal.
To follow this up, the problem is now that the cycling provision is patchy at either end of the route, in both the ISV and the city centre. I look forward to improvements!
While you may well be right about the number, and poor coordination, of the crossings around there, the new raised crossing linking the south of canal park to the path west of the primary school is a great addition from a cycling perspective
Funily enough I think the location of new crossing is the most sensible and logical of the lot. At least one of the pelican crossings should have been removed though - there are three crossings in the space of around a hundred yards.
I have not been checking frequently, so I could be behind the times, but it looks like the council have a new planning portal under Beta testing. I seem to remember someone saying their website hadn't been updated recently? Maybe that's because they have a new one? I could be wrong...
Usefully, it has a section on decisions as well as applications, but I've not looked into it in detail.
No sooner do I criticise James St as a bad road to cycle down, that I see it has been entirely re-tarmaced and the cycle lanes have been widened to an almost obscenely generous size. Full marks to the Council!
If someone is reading this forum and acting on improvements tout-suite, might I next launch into a tirade about Cardiff Airport, the Coal Exchange, the lack of an Arena and the surface of the Oval Basin....
PS Is it just me or does anyone else have trouble with the security codes to post a message. It's like a bad day on Ticketmaster.
No sooner do I criticise James St as a bad road to cycle down, that I see it has been entirely re-tarmaced and the cycle lanes have been widened to an almost obscenely generous size. Full marks to the Council!
If someone is reading this forum and acting on improvements tout-suite, might I next launch into a tirade about Cardiff Airport, the Coal Exchange, the lack of an Arena and the surface of the Oval Basin....
PS Is it just me or does anyone else have trouble with the security codes to post a message. It's like a bad day on Ticketmaster.
I find I need to use the security codes about five times per post. I also find that a lot of my posts are blocked as 'spam' that's the bloody despot that is paul exercising his power.
I wouldn't describe it as beautiful, but I do think it's reasonably attractive, of its time and considerably more thoughtful and interesting than its intended replacement. I have much sympathy for those who'd prefer to keep it.
It's 'ok' and that's about it. Not sure why they're demolishing it anyway, can someone elaborate? The latter is particularly uninspiring but libraries themselves are going to be continuously threatened.
Also not sure they can blame Phil Bale! Give the guy a break!
I have to say I'm looking forward to seeing how Saint Fagans changes over the next few years. It's a great attraction which I love to bits but the indoor gallery spaces are tired and circulation through the site is a bit random.
The plans look as if they will give a much greater feeling of coherence to the site with clearly defined rural, urban and history zones.
I wasn't sure where to put this but I suppose here is as good as any. it would appear this model has a massive Havannah Quay development and the central square/station southside area as being akin to Battery Park
"During my visit, I also heard about plans for a new high-rope facility over the white water course, providing visitors and residents in Cardiff with an even greater range of adventure sports on the Cardiff Bay waterfront."
Plans have been submitted for a 6 storey office block somewhere between the AA and Lloyds buildings on the south west corner of Callaghan Square. Not sure exactly where and the Council website seems to be down ATM so can't access the planning docs.
"During my visit, I also heard about plans for a new high-rope facility over the white water course, providing visitors and residents in Cardiff with an even greater range of adventure sports on the Cardiff Bay waterfront."
I don't know whether it is the same concept and merely in a different location but plans were approved by the Council Planning Committee meeting in May for a facility in Atlantic Wharf. I only came across it while reading the "Save Llandaff Meadow" papers and cannot even remember what it was called so apologies if it has already been discussed to death elsewhere on here.
Plans have been submitted for a 6 storey office block somewhere between the AA and Lloyds buildings on the south west corner of Callaghan Square. Not sure exactly where and the Council website seems to be down ATM so can't access the planning docs.
The team behind the project proposes to make room by demolishing two existing offices, which it claims are not fit for purpose and underutilise a prime city centre location
its fusion point 1 and 2
seriously, I think this is the building next to trade street cafe
"During my visit, I also heard about plans for a new high-rope facility over the white water course, providing visitors and residents in Cardiff with an even greater range of adventure sports on the Cardiff Bay waterfront."
I don't know whether it is the same concept and merely in a different location but plans were approved by the Council Planning Committee meeting in May for a facility in Atlantic Wharf. I only came across it while reading the "Save Llandaff Meadow" papers and cannot even remember what it was called so apologies if it has already been discussed to death elsewhere on here.
I would assume the Atlantic Wharf facility is the wakeboarding thing that was first applied for a couple of years ago.
seriously, I think this is the building next to trade street cafe
I think it might be a different plot that fronts Curran Road, two old buildings in old stone and red brick. I think it is currently Itec, who provide apprenticeships, and their car parking.
"During my visit, I also heard about plans for a new high-rope facility over the white water course, providing visitors and residents in Cardiff with an even greater range of adventure sports on the Cardiff Bay waterfront."
I don't know whether it is the same concept and merely in a different location but plans were approved by the Council Planning Committee meeting in May for a facility in Atlantic Wharf. I only came across it while reading the "Save Llandaff Meadow" papers and cannot even remember what it was called so apologies if it has already been discussed to death elsewhere on here.
I would assume the Atlantic Wharf facility is the wakeboarding thing that was first applied for a couple of years ago.
Two different things I think. The Atlantic Wharf plan is for is a pully system for watersports. The White Water Centre one appears to be a high rope climbing attraction - similar to this one in Brecon.
What would be great for the Bay is a 'Zipworld' type ride from, maybe Sports Village across to Marina or Barrage The one in Snowdon looks epic and would be a great addition there. There is a similar one in Eden Project but I think the Snowdon one is the chocolate.
Seems like they have started work on the apartments on Bute street next to the bay station. Also noticed Admiral are illuminating the top of the building now.
According to Business Traveller website a new Holiday Inn is due to open in the next few weeks at Junction 32 of the M4 - presumably on the old Legacy International site - http://www.businesstraveller.com/news/100675/four-uk-holiday-inns-announced
In other news old Fosse unit beneath St David's Hall is now a dodgy looking carvery restaurant and the old Promised Land bar in Windsor Terrace is now another real ale style pub (whose name escapes me) apparently owned by the same company as The Rummer Tavern.