Penarth “To the Sea” Engagement

📅 Date: 16 September 2023

📍 Location of Engagement: The Esplanade, Penarth

🗣️ Who we spoke to: Around 70 members of the public, mostly local residents and some visitors

Facilitators: Vale of Glamorgan Council Placemaking Officers

🙋 Type of engagement:
Introduced passers-by to the concept of Placemaking. Residents placed stickers on a map to show valued places and provided written feedback on positives and issues. Visitors marked places they visited and shared impressions.

🚀 Emerging Themes

  • Accessibility & Safety: Uneven pavements, potentially difficult for wheelchair users; need for better crossings and dropped kerb enforcement.
  • Transport & Connectivity: Desire for pedestrianisation (Windsor Road, Esplanade), one-way street trials, improved bus services, and extended Railway Path to Sully.
  • Public Realm & Infrastructure: More benches, improved pavements, litter management, and tree maintenance.
  • Health & Services: Concern about capacity of schools and GP surgeries; calls for more GP provision.
  • Recreation & Amenities: More play provision, outdoor gym, water refill stations, and creative ideas like a cliff railway or floating boardwalk.
  • Town Centre Vibrancy: Suggestions for new shops (Primark, Starbucks) and traffic-free High Street days.

💬 Comments

“Pedestrianise Windsor Road by the shops.”

“Penarth is lovely but we are at capacity – schools and Doctors Surgeries are full.”

“Free open outdoor gym and water refills would be great.”

“Remove parking/cars off Esplanade.”

“Trial of one-way streets in town.”

“Floating boardwalk around the Headland – amazing idea!”

📢 Summary
Residents and visitors praised Penarth’s seafront and green spaces but raised concerns about accessibility, safety, and infrastructure. Key priorities include pedestrianisation, improved pavements, better crossings, and enhanced public transport. There is strong interest in more community amenities such as outdoor gyms, play areas, and water refill stations, alongside imaginative ideas for improving connectivity and leisure. Feedback also highlighted pressure on local services and a desire for a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly town centre.