Cardiff Sixth Form College, Cardiff Bay

Apex provided transport planning and highways support for the development of a new boarding accommodation hub and associated teaching facility for Cardiff Sixth Form College as part of a two-site campus in Cardiff Bay.

The two sites operate together as a single education campus. Our role focused on ensuring that the transport strategy across both sites was consistent, proportionate and policy-led, and that the connections between the two were safe and appropriate.

The proposals required careful consideration of how a large education campus would function in transport terms within an existing urban environment, in an area of significant future development. Key challenges included:

• Demonstrating safe and suitable active travel connections between the two campus sites, which are within walking distance of one another
• Developing a proportionate and compliant car parking strategy, reflecting the sustainable location and operational characteristics of the college
• Providing appropriate and secure cycle parking for students, staff and visitors
• Designing a practical servicing and delivery strategy that could operate safely without adverse impacts on the surrounding highway network

These matters were central to demonstrating that the development could operate effectively and safely while aligning with national and local transport policy.

We prepared a comprehensive Transport Statement to support the planning application, taking a measured, evidence-led approach focused on the issues most relevant to the decision-making process.

Our work included:

• Detailed assessment of walking and cycling routes between the two campus sites, supported by analysis of existing crossings, footway widths and pedestrian capacity
• A policy-led car parking strategy reflecting the college’s operational model, sustainable location and access to nearby public car parks
• A robust cycle parking strategy, providing high-quality, secure facilities in line with Cardiff Council guidance
• A clear and workable servicing strategy, supported by swept-path analysis, to demonstrate safe operation without disruption to the wider network

Alongside the Transport Statement, we developed a comprehensive Travel Plan in collaboration with the College, setting out practical measures to encourage sustainable travel by students, staff and visitors. We are now continuing to support the College with the implementation of the Travel Plan as the campus moves forward.

We worked proactively with the wider project team and engaged constructively with the highway authority throughout the process to respond to comments and resolve matters efficiently.

Planning permission was successfully granted in 2023, with the highway authority confirming that the proposals would not result in an unacceptable impact on highway safety or the operation of the local network.

The approved scheme enables the delivery of a new, high-quality education campus in Cardiff Bay, supported by strong active travel links, proportionate parking provision and a robust servicing strategy, all aligned with national and local planning policy.