ABERYSTWYTH

Greening Abers Approach Road

Ffordd Parc-y-Llyn Boulevard de Saint Brieuc Coedlan-y-Parc / Park Avenue Avenue/Tree Planting Opportunities Preliminary Photographic Survey & Analysis

Greening Abers Approach Road

Approach Rd Tree Planting Opportunities|

Dafydd Fryer

16/01/2012

Greening Abers Approach Road

INTRODUCTION
The 2009 Woodlands for Wales Wales woodland strategy highlighted a new role for Forestry Commission Wales (FCW) to engage with the urban tree agenda. The benefits of having the right trees in the right places in improving our urban environment are becoming increasingly recognised In engaging with local authorities FCW has been exploring what scope there is for urban trees within the Welsh Governments (WG) Regeneration Areas, e.g. Town centre plans. Locally, FCW has been exploring with Greener Aberystwyth Group (GAG) as to what urban tree opportunities exist in the town. The Parc-y-Llyn to Alexandra Rd approach to town has struck many people as an amalgam of uses and buildings where the opportunity to build in a strong unifying landscape framework never materialised. The adoption of Boulevard de Saint Brieuc wasnt particularly reinforced by a bold avenue of trees. The very essence of a boulevard is that it is tree-lined and looks impressive! Despite that most of the sites have been developed or are being planned this initial survey and analysis identifies plenty of opportunities for trees on council, institutional and private land. Aspirationally a formal, continuous tree-lined approach could be feasible. However, realistically the varying character and conditions along the approach road suggest that a combination of naturalistic structure planting, feature large-leaved specimen trees, and more formal avenues would be most appropriate.

The intention of this study is: 1. As a discussion document to highlight the possibilities for trees along the boulevard, 2. To gauge stakeholder reaction as to whether Greening Abers Approach Road has the makings of becoming a potential regeneration project that can be developed further.

Approach Rd Tree Planting Opportunities|

Dafydd Fryer

16/01/2012

Greening Abers Approach Road

Tree Planting Opportunities

Parc-y-Llyn to Alexandra Rd
A4120 South:

Ownership / Stakeholders: Trunk Road Agency / CCC Highways / LlCC. Existing: Open grass verges against backdrop of supermarket screen planting / playing fields. Scope: Considerable opportunity for large/long-lived roadside trees. Constraints: Site-lines at roundabout approach. Merits: Impressive trees will heighten the sense of arrival at Abers main interchange. Priority Rating: *****

Approach Rd Tree Planting Opportunities|

Dafydd Fryer

16/01/2012

Greening Abers Approach Road

A4120 North

Ownership / Stakeholders: Trunk Road Agency / CCC Highways /LlCC. Existing: Open grass verges bordering playing fields. Scope: Considerable opportunity for large/long-lived roadside trees. Constraints: Site-lines at roundabout approach, nature reserve alongside stream. Merits: Impressive trees will heighten the sense of arrival at Abers main interchange. Priority Rating: *****

Parc-y-Llyn Roundabout

Ownership / Stakeholders: Trunk Road Agency / CCC Highways /LlCC. Existing: Sizeable grass-only roundabout with 3 staked 0.5m gorilla trees. There is little in the way of any surrounding tree cover at this critical road junction. Scope: Focal point in transport system / entry into Aber with significant potential for planting and/or specimen trees (high crowns?) in central section. Constraints: CCC Highways policy against any planting sight line/H&S issues (despite plenty of examples of roundabout planting from other authorities). Merits: As main interchange into Aber surely this focal point is crying out for a major landscaped feature e.g. trees!? Priority Rating: *****

Approach Rd Tree Planting Opportunities|

Dafydd Fryer

16/01/2012

Greening Abers Approach Road

Morrisons / Garage

Ownership / Stakeholders: Morrisons / CCC Highways/ LlCC. Existing: 1) Low shrub planting around main sign with adjoining 7 alders. Recent works have removed areas of planting which have yet to be re-instated. 2) 2m grass highway verge between highway pavement and garage fence. 3) 2-4m internal grass bank to garage with low shrubs with 2 birch by garage & 2 semi mature ash at rear end of forecourt (all well-maintained). Scope: 1) Potential space for 3-5 trees within shrub bed. 2) Probably limited? 3) Small medium sized trees correctly located along bank would seem feasible apprx 6/8. Constraints: 1) Why were they no trees here initially views into Morrisons, services, private land? 2) Services / proximity to highway. 3) Services, planting into easily mown bank, leaves on forecourt private land! Merits: Contributes to tree-lined approach road, softens garage frontage. Priority Rating: **

Approach Rd Tree Planting Opportunities|

Dafydd Fryer

16/01/2012

Greening Abers Approach Road

Llety Parc

Ownership / Stakeholders: Vince Morgans / CCC Highways / LlCC. Existing: 1) 2m grass highway verge, 2) grass beds to hotel car-park. Scope: 1) Limited options maybe small/medium trees along fence line, 2) Medium/large tree per grass bed feasible. Constraints: 1) Proximity/sight-line highway and services issues, 2) private land. Merits: Improves appearance of hotel frontage, softens car-park Priority Rating: **

McDonalds

Approach Rd Tree Planting Opportunities|

Dafydd Fryer

16/01/2012

Greening Abers Approach Road

Ownership / Stakeholders: McDonalds / CCC Highways / LlCC Existing: 1) Grass highway verge varying from 2 10m, 2) Internal 2-3m grass verge to car-park / drive thru with apprx. 5 mt. ash / birch. Scope: 1) Width of highway verge offers real potential to build in medium sized trees (even as part of new scheme), 2) Possible addition of small trees within McDonalds. Constraints: 1) New road widening scheme to roundabout in the offing, sight-line issues, 2) Private, maximising views of outlet, limited verge. Merits: 1 & 2) Contributing to the unifying effect of a tree-lined approach road and softening fast-food frontage. Priority Rating: 1) ****, 2) **

Next / Cambrian Land-Rover / Garden Centre Agri Stores

Ownership / Stakeholders: Next / Cambrian Land-Rover / Amaethwyr Clynderwen / CCC Highways / LlCC Existing: 1) Grass highway verge varying from 6 - 10m, 2) Internal 2-3m shrub bed/hedgerow with 3 each of pines, birch, mt.ash, 2 oaks, 1 alder to Next, 3) All hard-standing / rock banks to car showrooms with one small rockery 4) Broken hedge and large denuded corner bed to centre/stores. Scope: 1) Width of highway verge offers real potential to build in medium sized trees (even as part of new scheme), 2) Possible addition of a few small trees (6/8?) alongside Next, 3) Unlikely to sell a retro-fit design to include trees within display, 4)

Approach Rd Tree Planting Opportunities|

Dafydd Fryer

16/01/2012

Greening Abers Approach Road

Space is available for a medium tree and group of small trees in bed plus 3/4 within hedge. What is potential for screen planting of sub-station area: 4/6 trees? Constraints: 1) New road widening scheme to Parc-y-Llyn roundabout in the offing, sight-line issues at Glan Rheidol roundabout, services, 2 - 4) Private, all have modest to marginal space available. Merits: 1) Contributing to the unifying effect of a tree-lined approach road, 2) Further softening of Nexts bland wall, 3) Would arguably enhance car display area!!! - and 4) Garden Centre arguably ought to have at least a tree presence! and would enhance utilitarian appearance. Priority Rating: 1) *****, 2-4) *.

Parc y Llyn Retail Parking / MFI

Approach Rd Tree Planting Opportunities|

Dafydd Fryer

16/01/2012

Greening Abers Approach Road

Ownership / Stakeholders: Parc-y-Llyn Retail Park / CCC Highways / LlCC Existing: 1) Grass highway verge to fence varying from 2 - 3m, 2) Retail Park/ReCylcing Point has mix of dense maturing screen planting and large swathes of mown grass with 3 tall alders. Screen planting contains only a modest presence of long-lived trees mainly unmanaged willow/cotoneaster. 5 oak / 2 ash are associated with the recycling, elsewhere there is only 2 birch, 1 alder, 1 sycamore. Scope: 1) Limited options for verge planting, 2) Best opportunity for large trees exists within the extensive Parc-y-Llyn grass areas. With management and a re-think, space could be created within the screening for longer-lived trees. Constraints: 1) Highway proximity / services, 2) Private needs deal with owner. Merits: Informal groups of large trees would be a major contributor to greening in and around the approach road and associated buildings. Priority Rating: 1) *, 2) *****.

Glan Rheidol Roundabout

Ownership / Stakeholders: CCC Highways / LlCC. Existing: Grass with single protected/staked 1m tree officially planted?! Surrounding area is currently very open with a fragmented mix of buildings/uses. Scope: A key focal point along the linear approach road axis deserving of a landscape feature / group of specimen trees or imposing individual. Constraints: CCC Highway policy issues with sight-lines/H&S (alignment of road approaches surely less of an issue than Parc-y-Llyn), any feature would need to be to a high spec. Merits: A feature with a strong vertical presence will act as a focal point and help to fill a currently vacuous environment. Priority Rating: ****.

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Approach Rd Tree Planting Opportunities|

Dafydd Fryer

16/01/2012

Greening Abers Approach Road

Ystwyth Surgery / Heol Glan Rheidol

Ownership / Stakeholders: Ystwyth Medical Group / CCC Highways / LlCC. Existing: 1) Dense mix of screen planting with line of alders to rear of Retail Park, 2) 2m grass verge from highway pavement to fence, 3) sizeable grass surrounds to medical centre with a scattering of trees e.g. two 2-3m holm oaks + birch/mt ash. Scope: 1-2) Limited, 3) Site could potentially accommodate additional trees. Constraints: 1-2) Highway proximity/service issues, 3) Private. Merits: Increasing the greenery here would help to tie the surgery into a more unified approach road landscape. Trees would offer much needed verticality in this area. Priority Rating: ***.

Glan Rheidol Estate

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Approach Rd Tree Planting Opportunities|

Dafydd Fryer

16/01/2012

Greening Abers Approach Road

Ownership / Stakeholders: Glan Rheidol Residents / CCC Highways / LlCC. Existing: A continuous 2m grass highway verge between pavement and brick/timbered panelled wall offering very little interest / variety. Scope: Very limited space for trees A simple thick hedge of planting offers the best option for any planting here. Small-medium fastigiated trees could be considered say opposite the estate parking areas with root containment built into the spec. Constraints: Service runs / proximity of wall and 3 sets of houses/gardens to rear. Merits: If constraints can be worked through, hedging and site specific investment in the right trees would have great benefit for this long bland stretch of the boulevard. Priority Rating: *.

Canolfan Rheidol

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Approach Rd Tree Planting Opportunities|

Dafydd Fryer

16/01/2012

Greening Abers Approach Road

Ownership / Stakeholders: CCC / CCC Highways / LlCC. Existing: 1) A grass highway verge varying from 2-10m, 2) CCCs recent low groundcover/shrub beds enclosing car-park with a line of 9 semi-mature trees + feature walling/Canolfan Rheidol sign on corner. Scope: Relatively high quality landscaping line of trees will contribute significantly in time. Could more trees be accommodated e.g. on verge +4/6, within roadside/carpark shrub beds along Rhodfa Padarn:+16!, or continued towards WG Bldg:+6? Advantage that this is council land! Constraints: 1) Sight-line / services issues + maintaining integrity of landscape design, 2) Were there strong demands in design to keep certain views to offices open? Surely the are beds are relatively free of service runs? Merits: Continuing the avenue of trees in the spirit of the current design could significantly increase the feel of a tree-lined approach road and be relatively feasible to implement. Priority Rating: ****.

WG Bldg

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Approach Rd Tree Planting Opportunities|

Dafydd Fryer

16/01/2012

Greening Abers Approach Road

Ownership / Stakeholders: WG / CCC Highways / LlCC. Existing: 1) A grass highway verge varying from 2-5m, 2) WGs recent shrub beds (inside and out of security fence) with 3 lines of semi-mature trees (5 & 4 & 4 No). Scope: Arguably tree cover alongside the car-park has been designed in to almost full capacity. Further planting could be considered along fence in front of Bldg to link in with CCC:+6 (& around party fence in grass/shrubs:+2/4)) and along the whole length of shrub bed adjoining the vacant courts site. Constraints: The design and current levels of trees preclude further trees alongside car-park. The design may have been keen to avoid trees from interrupting views onto the Bldgs front faade? The uncertainty of the courts site next door may have and would still influence tree options along the boundary. Merits: Would argue that the standard of design and spec of trees planted sets a benchmark for other sites to follow. Priority Rating: **.

Vacant Court Site

Ownership / Stakeholders: (HMCS?) / CCC Highways / LlCC / ATC. Existing: Fenced vacant development land with rough grass verge to highway pavement the failed law courts site. The lands current status is unknown. Scope: As a developable site theres always scope to build in conditions to ensure trees have a significant presence to benefit the Bldg and boulevard. Constraints: Developer will want to maximise square footage for Bldg and parking! Merits: Brilliant opportunity at the design stage to get trees built into the scheme. Priority Rating: *****.

Glan Rheidol Flood Alleviation Pond

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Approach Rd Tree Planting Opportunities|

Dafydd Fryer

16/01/2012

Greening Abers Approach Road

Ownership / Stakeholders: LlCC / Glan Rheidol Residents / EA? / CCC Highways. Existing: 1) A limiting 1m grass verge to highway pavement, 2) Vast grass area/green space accommodating both the engineered flood alleviation area and Glan Rheidol sub-station, 3) Naturalistic backdrop of river corridor trees/shrubs beyond bike path. Scope: Surely a major candidate site for both informal and formal tree planting, tying the natural character of the riverside to the boulevard. Constraints: Clarification needed that trees wouldnt interfere with function of flood relief area (has it ever flooded with water/waste water?). Is this site also part of old toxic tip? Maintenance regime for planted area to be oked. Any bike-route security issues need to be addressed. Service route to be kept clear. Clear any light concerns from residents. Merits: Could become one of the major tree zones along the approach road and possibly the only feasible woodland site. Priority Rating: *****.

Skateboard Park

Ownership / Stakeholders: ATC / CCC Highways / Skateboard User Group. Existing: 1) Fenced and surfaced skateboard area surrounded by rough grass and tree/shrub riverside corridor backdrop, 2) Both the bike path and footpath routes coupled with the highway grass verge and the central grass reservation to the paths all combine to emphasise the boulevards linearity.

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Approach Rd Tree Planting Opportunities|

Dafydd Fryer

16/01/2012

Greening Abers Approach Road

Scope: 1) ATC has proposals to re-vamp park but surrounds could potentially accommodate trees 2) Could a tree-lined central reservation be incorporated some time in the future to reinforce boulevard linearity? Constraints: 1) Understanding is that the whole underlying site was the old tip with toxicity issues. If the will and resources are there, then tree planting is possible with adequate amelioration. 2) Line of trees would have to be retro-fitted / tanked etc with paths being re-surfaced. Merits: Not the most pressing area to build in trees due to the tree-lined river backdrop but formality could greatly enhance boulevard feel and compliment the potential proposals across the road. Priority Rating: ***.

Bike Trail Sculpture Site / Afon Rheidol

Ownership / Stakeholders: ATC / CCC Highways Existing: 1) The one stretch where the tree-clad river corridor currently touches the boulevard and where at one point is open offering views to the river (includes 3 planted fastigiate trees), 2) Both the bike path and footpath routes coupled with the highway grass verge and the central grass reservation to the paths all combine to emphasise the boulevards linearity. Scope: Could a tree-lined central reservation be incorporated some time in the future to reinforce boulevard linearity? Constraints: Does the toxicity extend to this stretch? If the will and resources are there, then tree planting is possible with adequate amelioration. Line of trees would have to be retro-fitted / tanked etc with paths being re-surfaced. Merits: Currently the river corridor contributes significantly to greening the boulevard. The formality of a tree-lined reservation would greatly enhance boulevard feel and compliment the potential proposals across the road. Priority Rating: ****.

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Approach Rd Tree Planting Opportunities|

Dafydd Fryer

16/01/2012

Greening Abers Approach Road

Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin

Ownership / Stakeholders: MYM / ATC / CCC Existing: Walled premises right up to highway pavement. There is a shrubbed frontage. A triangular grass area alongside the Plascrug path falls outside the land holding. The rear play garden is planted with shrubs including a willow feature. Scope: There are only minimal opportunities e.g. a single small/medium tree to frontage, rear garden and possibly within the grass. Constraints: Proximity to Bldg / services. Private. Merits: Minimal impact but would help to soften frontage, contribute to intrigue of garden and enhance bland grass corner by pedestrian crossing. Priority Rating: *.

Car-Parking / Park and Ride

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Approach Rd Tree Planting Opportunities|

Dafydd Fryer

16/01/2012

Greening Abers Approach Road

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Approach Rd Tree Planting Opportunities|

Dafydd Fryer

16/01/2012

Greening Abers Approach Road

Ownership / Stakeholders: CCC Highways / ATC Existing: This car-parking / park and ride facility offers much needed space despite over the years having a transient temporary feel. Shrub beds have gradually eroded away and the only tree planting was along the boulevard a couple of these have succumbed to the recent bus stop. The remaining 7 small/short-lived mt. ash/whitebeam trees are in a sorry state and could be deemed to be an embarrassment!! Scope: The 2.5m tree-lined block strip frontage to the car-park is ripe for a major overhaul. How about ripping up the hard surface and trees and start again?! Come up with a tree-lined avenue of large semi-fastigiate trees of high spec above and below ground. Compliment this by underplanting a continuous shrub bed (with exit points). Constraints: The permanence of the car-park is possibly an issue in terms of investing in a decent landscape framework. The 2.5m tree-lined block strip doesnt appearance to have continuous service runs Merits: Currently the site and trees do not give that quality sense of arrival into Aber town!!! Here is a realistic opportunity to provide an impressive boulevard experience. Priority Rating: *****.

Police Station

Ownership / Stakeholders: DPP / ATC / CCC Highways. Existing: 1) 1m grass verge to highway, 2) Triangular grass area (with 4 trees) where footpath / bike route fork, 3) 1-2m grass strip along roadside frontage (3 fruit trees have been squeezed in!), 4) Sizeable grass area to station entrance along with 2 shrub beds + line of 5 trees alongside road to TAs/police station . Scope: 2 & 4) Both areas have space for more trees. Constraints: 2-4) Need to confirm ownership of triangle. Apart from building proximity, services, security issues there dont seem to be additional practical problems underlying ground conditions? Merits: 2) Planting up the triangle would breathe new life into what appears to be a leftover piece of land the rear of the station has no windows. 4) Carefully located trees would enhance / frame the entrance approach. Priority Rating: ***.

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Approach Rd Tree Planting Opportunities|

Dafydd Fryer

16/01/2012

Greening Abers Approach Road

Vale of Rheidol Railway

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Approach Rd Tree Planting Opportunities|

Dafydd Fryer

16/01/2012

Greening Abers Approach Road

Ownership / Stakeholders: VoRhR / ATC / CCC Highways Existing: 1) Acquired council car-park land (temporary storage / permanent intended use?) thats fenced off and still includes 3 motley remnants of the car-park avenue planting, 2) Walled visitors car-park with 3 grass beds, 3) 4m + pavement to highway. Scope: 1) Intended use needs clarifying but no reason why shouldnt form part of new avenue planting scheme, 2) The beds seem to be obvious candidates for planting decent sized trees, 3) Theoretically feasible to retrofit trees into pavement. Constraints: 1) future usage? 2) Beds appear service free. Need to bring owner on board, 3) Highways, utilities, cost issues! Merits: Would help to soften the car-park and utilitarian backdrop of the sheds. Is the last available space opportunity for big trees before the tight planting environs of Park Avenue. Priority Rating: ***

Aldi / Hotel Site

Ownership / Stakeholders: Aldi?/ ATC / CCC Existing: Disused Cambrian Land-Rover and Kwiksave sites. 4m+ pavement to highway. Both sides of approach road at this point are devoid of any trees. Scope: Unclear as to latest design proposals, time-scales and opportunity to influence. What planning conditions have been placed in respect of landscaping / trees? Constraints: Decisions have probably been finalised. Merits: As a site to be re-developed theres theoretically the opportunity to build in trees into the scheme possibly site along approach road. Priority Rating: ***.

Kwikfit / Huw Lewis Tyres / Arriva Depot

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Approach Rd Tree Planting Opportunities|

Dafydd Fryer

16/01/2012

Greening Abers Approach Road

Ownership / Stakeholders: Kwikfit, Huw Lewis, Arriva / ATC / CCC Highways. Existing: 3 business premises, all with vehicular access across a 5m pavement. Scope: Limited! No available space except retro-fitted into pavement but worth exploring e.g. extended paving slab areas, in front of car-wash. Constraints: Pavement appears riddled with services / crossing points. Merits: A variety of utilitarian frontages which would benefit from the softening effect of a few pavement trees. It would also provide continuity of trees along approach road. Priority Rating: **.

Co-Operative / Peacocks / Brantano / Pets at Home

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Approach Rd Tree Planting Opportunities|

Dafydd Fryer

16/01/2012

Greening Abers Approach Road

Ownership / Stakeholders: Rheidol Retail Park / ATC / CCC Highways. Existing: 1) 5m wide pavement running whole length of car-park and Co-Op. Two established trees exist adjacent to car-park entrance. These are not particularly wellformed and a detailed assessment may favour replacement. Other elements within the paved area are the bus stop, lighting columns, bollards and the partial covered-way to the Co-OP, 2) Parking to rear of boundary wall limited with no plant beds/trees. Scope: If any trees can be accommodated it is going to be within the tight confines of the pavement, where investment below ground would be needed. The age of the 2 existing trees suggest they were retained as part of the retail development. Constraints: If the current pavement infrastructure allows or can be modified then retro-fitting trees will be expensive. Merits: The benefits however would seriously improve the retail park frontage and ambience of the approach road, currently almost devoid of greenery. Priority Rating: ***.

Coedlan y Parc / Park Ave Housing

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Approach Rd Tree Planting Opportunities|

Dafydd Fryer

16/01/2012

Greening Abers Approach Road

Ownership / Stakeholders: Park Avenue Residents / ATC / CCC Highways. Existing: The tree-lined Park Avenue almost lives up to its name! 10 established trees adorn the 5m pavement in front of the terraced houses. The 1st tree appears dead, with the form / management of the others reflecting the relatively tight growing environment. Scope: Maintaining tree cover here would be highly desirable at least until adjacent areas accommodate and establish trees. If replacement becomes necessary, i.e. as per the dead individual, careful considerations needed for right tree in right place e.g. complimenting whats currently existing with the wider aspiration for the approach roads tree character. Constraints: No further room for trees other than the current locations. What are residents views on trees? Vulnerability if pavement/kerb refurbishment is considered.

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Approach Rd Tree Planting Opportunities|

Dafydd Fryer

16/01/2012

Greening Abers Approach Road

Merits: Tree line is one of the prime contributors of tree cover / greenery is this core urban location despite the limited space. Arguably is the last remaining intact row on Park Avenue the rest have been eroded away. Priority Rating: **.

Parking to Rheidol Retail Park

Ownership / Stakeholders: Rheidol Retail Park/ ATC / CCC Highways. Existing: 1) As north of the entrance established trees (2No) have survived the retail park development (were others lost?). Both trees are in dubious condition, one badly deformed dying, the other heavily pruned / cut back over the years. Other elements in the 5m wide pavement include bollards, lighting column and phone kiosk. 2) The carpark to the rear does have 6 establishing heavy standards along the pedestrian route. There is a raised shrub bed at corner with Matalan with a sick 1m high cherry. Scope: 1) If any trees can be accommodated it is going to be within the tight confines of the pavement, where investment below ground would be needed, 2) a tree for the bed? Constraints: If the current pavement infrastructure allows or can be modified then retro-fitting trees will be expensive.

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Approach Rd Tree Planting Opportunities|

Dafydd Fryer

16/01/2012

Greening Abers Approach Road

Merits: The benefits however would seriously improve the retail park frontage and ambience of the approach road. Priority Rating: ***.

Europcar / Finishing Touch / Matalan / WC / Yr Hen Ysgol Gymraeg

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Approach Rd Tree Planting Opportunities|

Dafydd Fryer

16/01/2012

Greening Abers Approach Road

Ownership / Stakeholders: Europcar Hire / Finishing Touch / Matalan/ Yr HYG tenants / ATC / CCC Highways. Existing: A variety of buildings front onto the Park Avenue pavement. Overall this is 45 metres with a right mix of surfacing. There are a variety of components - vehicular access / lay-by, lighting, signage, junction boxes, bollards, temporary planters and 2 mature trees. Two sick trees were removed in 2010 the square red resin tree pits and the tarmaced pit of another is evident.maybe there were others. Scope: Re-planting those that have been lost recently should not be too problematic. If any further trees can be accommodated it is going to be within the tight confines of the pavement, where investment below ground would be needed. As with the whole of Park Avenue there surely is a strong argument to re-furbish all the paving and this would be the time for a co-ordinated street tree planting scheme. Constraints: If the current pavement infrastructure allows or can be modified then retro-fitting trees will be expensive. Merits: The benefits however would both seriously help to tie the mix of buildings together but would also offer a quality final approach into the town centre. Priority Rating: ***.

Mill St Car-Park / Day-Care Centre / Ex-Vauxhall Showroom / Housing

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Approach Rd Tree Planting Opportunities|

Dafydd Fryer

16/01/2012

Greening Abers Approach Road

Ownership / Stakeholders: Glyndwr Rd residents / Mill St Developers / Day Centre / Park Ave businesses + residents / ATC / CCC Highways. Existing: 1) Access into Mill St car-park which has a seen better days landscaped garden frontage. This comprises of 4 trees and shrub bed to rear, a concrete planter bench sitting area with grass surround, 2) a 4-5m pavement to the roundabout accommodating a lay-by, bus shelter, lighting/signs, pedestrian crossing, planters, bollards, bin and 3 mature trees. Scope: Current proposed Mill St development (Tesco/M&S/multi-storey parking?) will transform this whole area. Early plans seem to include some trees around periphery important not to miss the opportunity to make early representation to highlight the potential role of trees in the scheme (e.g. the attractive pedestrian link with the town) and ensure space is allocated. Constraints: Question mark over the future of the 3 street trees. Space will be at a premium trees will not be at the top of the developers priorities! Merits: A not to be missed opportunity for the final approach / arrival into Aberystwyth to be memorable, and one that would reinforce the old Victorian treelined character of Park Avenue. Priority Rating: ****.

Alexandra Rd Roundabout

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Approach Rd Tree Planting Opportunities|

Dafydd Fryer

16/01/2012

Greening Abers Approach Road

Not strictly part of the approach road but the bus stop / yr hen ysgol gymraeg trees have a significant impact at this junction. Currently this junction is particularly vehicular orientated. The talked about pedestrian link from the Mill St proposals into town hopefully will go some way to resolving this. Whether trees can form part of this attractive route remains to be seen. Additional trees would very much raise the ambience of this area and compliment those existing across the road.

CONCLUSIONS:
The photos portray a diverse but disparate range of buildings / usages along the length of the approach road! To the visitor approaching Aberystwyth, this can hardly enhance their initial impressions on entering the town. However from the analysis it is clear there is huge scope to green-up the flanks of the road if the will and resources are available. Tree planting could have a hugely significant role in unifying the whole approach to the town. Despite the challenges and obstacles that would face accommodating trees into this predominantly hard and constricted landscape the vast range of benefits that urban trees offer town environments would be a major contributor towards ensuring the regeneration of Aberystwyth. (N.B. Swansea Regeneration Area has recently given the green-light to detailed design on their new tree-lined boulevard on Oystermouth Rd). This exercise has focussed on tree opportunities but any regeneration proposal should consider how trees fit into the context of an all-embracing landscape plan. Components such as paved surfacing, furniture, signage, artwork etc, all potentially play a critical role in uplifting the approach road experience. In particular, this study has highlighted where shrub and ground-cover planting could compliment tree proposals, and where sites which are too constraining, shrubs would offer an obvious alternative to green-up the roadside.

The priority rating score described is a general assessment of the scope for additional trees in each area and the extent that this would contribute to the greening / raising the quality of the approach road.

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Approach Rd Tree Planting Opportunities|

Dafydd Fryer

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Greening Abers Approach Road

There is of course the element of achievability that needs to be considered. Green sites will be less costly than grey land, where the cost of retro-fitting into challenging ground will not be cheap. However the benefits of planting some of these grey sites closer to town will be substantially greater in terms of improving the environs to the built environment. Certain paved surfaces have been patched up over recent years and arguably are over-due for a make-over! This would offer an ideal time to design in trees into a new layout. Land ownership, and the degree to which owners would be willing to enter into such a project, would of course be crucial. Arguably it would be on the council-owned sites where the project would be best placed to initiate delivery of an approach road masterplan.

SITES: The areas highlighted below, on initial analysis, would seem to merit greater focus as to their potential to deliver real benefits, be they naturalistic structural planting, feature large-leaved specimen trees, or more formal avenues: The A4120 roundabout and verges to the 3 main roads. Parc-y-Llyn retail park, roundabout and Canolfan Rheidol. Glan Rheidol flood alleviation pond / Court site. Boulevard de St Brieuc (Park& ride/parking and Rheidol path routes). Aldi / Vale of Rheidol Railway developments. Park Avenue (Rheidol retail park to Alexandra Rd and Mill St development).

NEXT STEPS:
1. 2. 3. 4. Discuss way forward with GAG Presentational proposal e.g. draft plan / visualisations Present to stakeholders e.g. CCC / ATC / LlCC / RA steering group etc Respond to feedback

5. Obtaining additional information in due course: Land ownership / contacts e.g. Parc-y-Llyn Development plan proposals e.g. Law courts, Aldi/hotel, Mill St Soil conditions e.g. Old tip site Service details GAG tree survey map

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Approach Rd Tree Planting Opportunities|

Dafydd Fryer

16/01/2012

Greening Abers Approach Road

Abreviations: FCW GAG CCC LlCC WG HMCS EA ATC MYM DPP VoRhR Yr HYG Forestry Commission Wales Grwp Aberystwyth Gwyrddach / Greener Aberystwyth Group Ceredigion County Council Llanbadarn Community Council Welsh Government Her Majestys Courts Service Environment Agency Aberystwyth Town Council Mudiad Ysgolion Meithrin Dyfed Powys Police Vale of Rheidol Railway Yr Hen Ysgol Gymraeg

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Approach Rd Tree Planting Opportunities|

Dafydd Fryer

16/01/2012