Who is responsible for maintaining Roath Park Dam?
Cardiff Council is legally responsible for maintaining the publicly owned Roath Park Dam, and routine inspections are required under the Reservoirs Act (1975).
Will the park have to close?
Various areas of the park near the dam will need to close during the ground investigation works and construction phases. All closures will be planned and communicated in advance to community stakeholders and local residents. There will be regular updates on Cardiff Council’s social media channels. If changes arise due to unforeseen circumstances, these changes will be communicated as early as possible.
Will the children’s play area be closed?
For the construction works we will look to keep the park open as much as possible, but there are likely to be some closures of the play area. As part of the ongoing design work we are reviewing the potential impact on the play area.
When are the improvement works due to start?
We are currently developing the design and preparing a planning application for the improvement works. There will be pre-application consultation prior to the planning application being submitted, which will likely be in early 2024. The construction start date will be shared in advance when known.
How long will the work take?
Subject to planning permission, the works are expected to last 12-18 months.
Is the timeline correct?
The timeline is provisional and subject to design being completed and the planning application being approved. This is the best estimate currently, but it is subject to change.
What will be the working hours during the construction works?
The site working days and hours will be decided when a contractor is appointed.
What will happen to the water in the lake during construction?
It is likely that lake will be drained to make it safer, easier and quicker to access the spillway. No timescale for this is currently available.
How will water outflow be managed during construction?
The water outflow is managed via pipes which run through the base of the dam, called ‘scour pipes’. There may need to be some pumping to aid this.
Will the works affect Roath Park lighthouse?
No construction works are planned in the vicinity of the lighthouse. Construction will focus on the promenade and the spillway.
Will either Lake Road West or Lake Road East need to close for the works to take place?
At this stage, we do not anticipate needing to close either Lake Road West or Lake Road East.
Will either Lake Road West or Lake Road East require traffic management while the works take place?
It is likely that traffic management will be required at times. With construction traffic and delivery vehicles needing to enter and exit the park, traffic management may be necessary to ensure the safety of park users, the public and construction staff.
Will the park be locked at night?
Working areas will be fenced off as part of security. There may be a need to lock the gates temporarily overnight, and if so we will provide specifics when available.