Residents, motorists and commuters in Cardiff will be appalled to hear that Cardiff's Labour Council is determined to push ahead with controversial plans for Gabalfa Interchange, despite serious question marks over public support for the scheme.

The council has spent £70,000 on a trial road safety scheme at the busy roundabout - yet despite a large number of people expressing concern over the scheme, the Cabinet Member responsible has indicated the council will push ahead and make the scheme permanent without a public consultation.

Thanks to efforts by local councillors in Gabalfa ward, some residents in the area will soon be consulted on whether or not they would like to see back lanes gated off.

Residents have asked many times over recent months about the possibility of gating some of the lanes around 'The Colonies' because of persistent problems with anti-social behaviour in the alleys behind Africa Gardens, Canada Road, Australia Road, Newfoundland Road and around Pen-y-Bryn Road and Heathfield Road.

Lib Dems in Gabalfa ward want to hear your views on whether or not the trial safety scheme at Gabalfa Interchange has been a success.

An online opinion poll has been set up to gauge public views on whether on the trial scheme.

As we have outlined previously, Cardiff Council are spending £70k to try and reduce the number of accidents at the roundabout by:

Liberal Democrats in Gabalfa ward are urging residents and motorists to have their say over the current trial safety scheme at Gabalfa Interchange.

As outlined by us last month, Cardiff Council are spending £70k to try and reduce the number of accidents at the roundabout by:

• Creating an advisory 20mph limit on the roundabout;
• Extending the existing 30mph limits onto the slip roads;
• Restricting the carriageway width around the roundabout and add lane markings;
• Creating dedicated left turn lanes at some of the slip roads onto the roundabout.

Liberal Democrats in Gabalfa ward have registered their concern about the rise of payday lending. The news comes at the same time that a new lender - "Loans2Go" is fitting out a new premises on North Road (pictured). The company specialise in so-called 'log book loans', offering an APR of over 350%.

Politicians in Cardiff have given a 'cautious welcome' to plans for safety improvements at the Gabalfa Interchange. Cardiff Council will be spending £70k later this month to reduce the number of accidents at the roundabout. In the five years between 2007 and 2012, there were 48 accidents at the location, including one fatality.

Liberal Democrats in Cardiff and beyond have hit out at changes to Cardiff Bus services which will further disadvantage residents and the local economy.

From 21st July, Cardiff Bus will be making changes to 35 of its routes in and around Cardiff - without any formal consultation with residents, passengers or elected representatives.

Residents in Gabalfa ward will be breathing a sigh of relief after proposals for a 24-hour off-licence on Whitchurch Road were refused thanks to pressure from local Lib Dems.

It had been suggested that the new Family Choice shop opposite Ysgol Mynydd Bychan would be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, following a detailed written objection from Cllr. Ed Bridges and Eluned Parrott AM (and Independent councillor Gareth Holden), the hours of the premises will be restricted. The matter was considered at a Licensing Sub-Committee hearing on Friday morning, at which Cllr. Ed Bridges set out the concerns of the 20+ residents who had written in to make an objection.

Councillors and Lib Dems in Gabalfa ward have said they will oppose a new application for a 24-hour off-licence on Whitchurch Road.

The application, from the new 'Family Choice' shop on the old Costcutter site, is seeking permission to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The Gabalfa Focus Team have been working hard over recent months to represent local residents over the future of the Briardene site on North Road.

There were outline planning applications to build flats in 2009 and 2011 on the former road safety centre, as well as discussions with various groups interested in using the land for community purposes.