Newport Matters November 2020 1 Council Reports Progress on Sustainable Transport
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NOVEMBER 2020 ................................................................................................................................... An exciting discovery was made Although many of the verges, junctions BEE FOR in the city in September – a and roundabouts are cut for road safety thriving population of rare bees. and pedestrian access, in selected areas BRILLIANT NEWS the council has changed the grass, Newport is an official bee friendly city and verge and hedgerow cutting regimes. has a number of specific pollinator sites including St Julian’s local nature reserve. There are also some “leave to grow” areas being trialled including the A48 at Machen, NM A survey was being undertaken by the Sterndale Bennett Road, Pencarn Way, NEWPORT council’s biodiversity officer and an Ruskin Way and Oystermouth Way. entomologist from BugLife Cymru, as part MATTERS of a Postcode Lottery-funded project, Work is also done with schools and when they found the small scabious community volunteer groups to mining bees which are rare in the UK. undertake bee friendly activities. Newport has more than 25 acres To find out more visit: The official newspaper of Newport City Council managed as pollinator sites to attract bees, www.newport.gov.uk/countryside butterflies, beetles and other insects. and go to biodiversity section. KEEP NEWPORT SAFE THIS WINTER Over recent weeks put back into local lockdown and ensure the latest advice is our hands regularly, get tested if we The latest local advice is Newport, Wales and the measures during September. presented as clearly as possible display symptoms and self-isolate available on the council website rest of the UK have seen across our communication channels. strictly if we advised to do so.” – www.newport.gov.uk/ the evidence that Covid- Shortly after, Wales as a whole saw coronavirus and from Welsh 19 has not gone away additional measures introduced “However this progresses over the Please ensure that you Government, Public Health and how residents are to try to help stem the flow. This winter, we will still need to limit continue to gather information Wales, Aneurin Bevan University still feeling the impact included restricted opening times contact, keep our distance, wear from trusted sources on the Health Board and Gwent Police. in a considerable way. within the hospitality sector face coverings where required, wash current Covid-19 situation. In the last edition of Newport Councillor Jane Mudd, Leader of Matters we spoke of how the council, said: “I would like to restrictions were being lifted thank everyone in Newport for the locally and what the council effort they have made to help keep us were doing to support the safe safe and limit the spread of the virus. re-opening of businesses. It is so important that we maintain that effort, particularly over the winter City centre safety measures months, so we can continue to protect that included improvements to our loved ones, families, friends and pedestrianised areas, enhanced communities. We can do this – we can cleaning and specialised advice work together to keep Newport safe. for businesses were all put in place to support a safe return “We need to make sure we follow to the city. #VisitSafe. the rules – and I fully appreciate that this can be a confusing time Unfortunately, following a as the laws and guidelines change considerable rise in cases, to address the current situation. As Newport and many of our a council we will continue to work surrounding authorities were closely with Welsh Government At the time of going to THINK ABOUT people – maybe a socially Newport Council is working MAKING press, we don’t know what distanced winter walk? with Newport Now, the restrictions will be in place • Shopping local and early city’s business improvement CHRISTMAS SAFE over the Christmas period. – support our local businesses • Think about travel – is district on how we can mark AND SPECIAL But we can all start thinking and try to spread out your your travel necessary and Christmas in Newport in safe about how we can make this shopping trips to avoid crowds what method are you using? but fun way – for the latest time of year special while news visit the council website still staying safe. • Catching up with friends • Older relatives – think or www.newportnow.co.uk and family – make sure you about the possible risk keep to the current rules of visiting, maybe send a or think of other ways to special message instead. spend some special time with For more news visit www.newport.gov.uk ......................................................................................................................................................NEWPORT MATTERS NOVEMBER 2020 1 COUNCIL REPORTS PROGRESS ON SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT Newport City Council Seven of our bids were approved Locks, which saw the cycle path reported progress on for funding. We have already resurfaced as well as new barriers sustainable transport implemented social distancing being installed to allow easier initiatives at the September measures at Newport Bus Station, access for wheelchair users. cabinet meeting. and made temporary changes in high footfall areas such as the We are also looking at what we can Details were shared of a number city centre to help our city’s do with our own vehicle fleet to help of projects that the council businesses reopen safely. reduce emissions. had successfully sought funding for from Welsh Government’s We will also make improvements to To that end, we are pleased to have active travel fund. footpaths and cycle lanes in various recently secured funding for an ultra- locations across the city, and trial a low emission refuse vehicle, which The Covid-19 pandemic has had a number of 20mph speed limit zones will be the first of its kind in the major impact on everyday life, not in order to promote safety and country when launched next year. least around every day travel and active travel within these zones. commuting to and from work. As a result, Welsh Government made As well as these specific projects, additional funding available during we continue to improve existing lockdown for councils to fund local active travel routes. Work has active travel improvements. recently been completed at Fourteen Newport’s local development identify new development and CLEAR VIEW plan (LDP) sets out areas regeneration sites to aid Newport’s FOR MARKET NEWPORT TO REVIEW CITY’S of land use across the city recovery following Coronavirus. ARCADE and proposals to shape DEVELOPMENT PLAN the future growth of The LDP will also continue to Newport up until 2026. protect Newport’s best historical A project to restore an and environmental assets. historic shopping arcade in The LDP was adopted by the the city centre reached a council in 2015 and an annual Widespread consultation with milestone in the summer monitoring report is submitted the public significantly shaped with the installation to Welsh Government every the content of the original LDP of a new glass roof. year detailing its progress. and views will again be sought as part of the review process. Work by specialist contractors Newport’s LDP has been considered Anthony A Davies resumed successful, but a review is now due. Regular updates will be included in on the 19th century arcade in Newport Matters, on the council July after being paused because The review will update policies website and on social media. of the coronavirus pandemic. and legislative requirements that have been introduced since the For more information on the LDP Funding was secured from LDPs adoption, for example the and updates on the review process the Heritage Fund, Cadw and Well-being of Future Generations visit www.newport.gov.uk/ldp Welsh Government to restore Act, and would also help to the arcade that runs from High Street to Market Street. other routes in the area. It is a organisations. These include RSPB To find out more about the The work also includes the popular location for walking and Cymru, Gwent Wildlife Trust, partnership visit: restoration of the shopfronts. NEW LIVING cycling as well as a great place to the council, Natural Resources www.livinglevels.org.uk LEVELS PROJECT see wildlife and some key heritage Wales, BugLife and the Bumblebee Find out more about the features in this very special place. Conservation. project here: www.newport.gov. A proposal to add a new Orientation and information It also aims to reconnect people uk/regeneration visitor gateway hub on the points, shelter, accessibility onto living locally with the unique Gwent Levels has moved the seawall, secure cycle parking landscape on their doorstep. another step closer. and car parking are all planned. This will be funded by the Land next to the Lighthouse Inn National Lottery Heritage Fund in Wentlooge is in the process of landscape partnership scheme. being acquired by the city council for the Living Levels scheme. In order conserve and enhance the natural heritage of the Gwent It will enable better access to and Levels, the Living Levels partnership from the Wales Coast Path and brings together a number of 2 For more news visit www.newport.gov.uk ......................................................................................................................................................NEWPORT MATTERS NOVEMBER 2020 TRANSPORTER COUNCIL WINS BRIDGE SUBMITS CHRISTMAS MESSAGE – CREDIT UNIONS FUNDING BID LEADER AND MAYOR OF WALES AWARD The team at Newport Transporter Bridge have Leader Mayor Newport City Council recently submitted a funding has recently been bid to the National Lottery I would like to wish As the leader said recognised for helping Heritage Fund (NLHF). all Newport residents opposite, 2020 has been to improve the financial and businesses a very a challenging year for well-being of staff with a The bid covers Phase 2 of a Merry Christmas. all of us, and we are all national award. major restoration project and if hopeful that 2021 will successful, it will see the bridge My first year as council leader has see us return to a more The council won the Payroll close from spring 2021 for the been one of the most challenging normal state of things.