Big Step for Cyclists, but Both Councils Failed on Linking Paths

20th August 2013

Pont y Werin

- big step for Cyclists, but both Councils failed on linking paths

We demanded and campaigned for this bridge over many years, supporting Sustrans in winning Lottery funding for it as part of Connect2. Theperspective of that programme: "Making it easy for millions of people... walking and cycling to the local places they want to go" is unfortunately not being met. Both Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan councils guaranteed they would provide good quality links. Both Councils have failed to deliver them.

No link has been built or planned to the nearby Cogan rail station, so cyclists and walkers are faced with steep slopes and an awkward crossing at the Windsor roundabout [1]. Wheelchair users face in addition a huge diversion to access the Cardiff-bound platform.

The Vale of Glamorgan Leader spoke at the bridge opening in July 2010 of welcoming cyclists to the Vale's attractions including Dinas Powys Castle and Barry Island. Yet the core route to Dinas Powys has been ignored [1], the link to Cadoxton remains in the air [2], and the special funding of £300k pa for core routes was spent on minor changes [3].

On the Cardiff side, the promised direct route across to the supermarket area has not been built, while the unattractive circuitous route on-pavement via the White-water Centre is little used. Signing to Pont y Werin remains inadequate and the whole route across the 'sports village' development is poor and discouraging for family use.

The whole project falls far short of peoples' expectations over the Lottery bid. The bridge provides an off-road short cut, but not an attractive cycling/walking route as a whole. Sustrans let us down in failing to hold the two Councils to their promises.

Contact: Ken Barker (secretary CCC) 07816 586 735

Cardiff Cycling Campaign is a voluntary group seeking to improve facilities for cycling in and around Cardiff, including the Vale of Glamorgan. Formed in 1988, CCC is an active member of ‘Cyclenation’, the UK federation of cycling campaigns and bicycle user groups

[1] Cardiff Cycling Campaign asked in 2010 for core routes

* through Penarth to Cosmeston and Sully

* via Llandough’s Merrie Harrier to Dinas Powys and Cadoxton/Barry**

* to Cogan rail station, then to Cogan Leisure Centre , Llandough and local housing

[2] a ‘greenway’ from the Merrie Harrier to Caerleon Rd into Dinas Powys is very feasible, but required compulsory purchase of a boundary strip so the Council refused to consider it. A similar ‘greenway’ for cyclists and pedestrians is feasible from west Dinas Powys (Bryn y Don fields) most of the way to Cadoxton. Sustrans has found that off-road ‘greenways’ are far more successful than roadside routes in attracting people to walk and cycle.

[3] Generous funding was available for core routes from SEWTA – S-E Wales Transport Alliance) at £300,000 pa for 2010/11 and 2011/12. Much was spent on a contraflow scheme on Arcot St, to rectify problems created by the VoG Council in making the street one way with echelon parking