Local Residents Criticize New Bollards at Y Groes Green
Newly installed bollards in a leafy suburb of Cardiff have drawn strong criticism from local residents, who have described them as "horrendous." The bollards were placed by Cardiff City Council at Y Groes in Rhiwbina Garden Village, a location notable for being the filming site of scenes from the 2011 Doctor Who Christmas special.
A petition has been initiated urging the council to reconsider the installation, with signatories expressing concern that the posts are "altering the character" of the green space.
Council's Rationale and Resident Responses
According to the council, bollards were already present around more than half of the green. The additional bollards were installed "to prevent vehicles driving on and damaging the grassed area."
"The council have said it's [because of] continuous parking on the green... I've lived here for 15 years, and I've seen it a handful of times,"said resident Natalie Drury-Styles, who also noted that the new bollards seemed "out of keeping" with the local character.
Natalie further claimed that many residents were not given a "meaningful opportunity" to understand or provide feedback on the plans prior to their implementation.
Another local resident, Lynn, aged 71 and a Rhiwbina resident for 46 years, described the bollards as "horrendous" and likened their appearance to "the entry to a circus."
Petition Highlights Community Concerns
The petition, which has gathered over 200 signatures, argues that the "uncluttered" and "simple" design of Rhiwbina Garden Village is a key factor in its reputation as one of the best places to live in Wales.
Signatories contend that the "dense" line of bollards has fundamentally altered the character of this historic space.
Council Statement on Bollard Installation and Consultation
A spokesperson for Cardiff Council stated:
"The installation of bollards at Y Groes forms part of the wider regeneration scheme around the Rhiwbina shops.
Bollards were already in place around over half of the green space. Additional bollards, along with the replacement and upgrading of existing ones, have now been installed to prevent vehicles driving on and damaging the grassed area."
The council also noted that a consultation regarding the plans was conducted in September 2025, during which residents on the road received leaflets inviting them to provide comments.
