We have been trialling a traffic access scheme at Crystal Glen in Llanishen.
As the first of its kind in Cardiff, we used an experimental traffic regulation order (ETRO) to introduce the scheme. ETROs last for up to 18 months to let us trial schemes to make sure they work.
As the trial for the Crystal Glen permit gate is ending, we need to decide if we should make the scheme permanent.
What we have been reviewing
When we first introduced the scheme, we said we would look at whether it would:
reduce traffic around Crystal Glen,
have too much of a negative impact on neighbouring roads, and
gain public support.
We also hoped the scheme would:
encourage active travel (for example, cycling), and
reduce vehicle speeds.
Monitoring the trial
Before the trial started, we carried out traffic surveys on Crystal Glen and surrounding roads between 7am and 7pm.
This was to see:
how many vehicles use the road,
how fast vehicles go, and
how many cyclists use the road.
We repeated these surveys during the trial.
We also installed traffic-monitoring devices on nearby roads. For example:
Fidlas Road,
Three Arches Avenue,
Maes Y Coed Road, and
Heathwood Road.
This helped us to see if and how the scheme affected traffic on nearby roads.
Using feedback
When the scheme was first introduced, access permits were only available to:
residents,
businesses, and
community groups.
Residents could also apply for visitor passes.
Following feedback, we expanded the permit scheme to include carers and companions. Since introducing these, we have issued 25 carer permits and over 100 companion permits.
Removal of restrictions
As part of the experimental scheme, we also trialled removing the 'no right turn' restriction from Crystal Glen into Heathwood Road.
This was to make it easier for drivers without permits to access the area.
We undertook a road safety audit before doing this.
What the trial has shown us
Since the beginning of the scheme, there has been:
A 55% reduction in traffic using Crystal Glen (from an average of 9,500 vehicles a day to 4,300 a day).
No difference to traffic on surrounding roads (surveys have shown that this was consistent before and after).
A 68% drop in penalty charge notices (PCNs) issued in the area for non-compliance.
A 16% increase in cyclists using Crystal Glen.
A 76% drop in speeding vehicles. This accounts for the reduction in the national default speed limit from 30mph to 20mph that happened during the trial.
We also undertook a further road safety audit of the removal of the banned right turn, which showed us that no safety issues had been raised since its removal.
Next steps
We now need to decide whether to:
Make the scheme permanent with no changes.
Make the scheme permanent, but with changes to things like operational times or days of enforcement.
Cancel the scheme. This would mean no gate restrictions would be enforced.
Whichever option we take, we will not reintroduce the 'access only' restriction used in the past. These types of restrictions are no longer supported by police or council policy.
Have your say
This consultation closed on 10 September 2025.
We are currently reviewing all feedback before making a decision.
