Address cycle path concerns

SWANSEA Council must take on board the concerns of local residents in Mayals concerning the proposed cycle way along Mayals Road.

A number of residents have contacted me and there are real concerns locally with regards to a number of safety and environmental aspects associated with the initial plans.

The removal of 10 mature trees locally is rightly perceived as an act of environmental negligence, and there are concerns that the construction of the hybrid lanes may cause root damage to many more trees, possibly impacting on the character of this area for many years.

Concerns around the proposed width of the hybrid cycleway and the potential danger of the upstand between the cycleway and walkway also need to be addressed.

I am aware that cycling body Wheelrights have raised concerns with regards to the safety of the scheme and it is clear that the feeling locally is that the council would be failing in its duty if it were to construct a scheme which has been deemed inherently unsafe by such a representative cycling body.

There is general support for the development of cycleways in Swansea; however, it is absolutely imperative that the council consults widely with local residents, schools, cycling bodies, businesses and other stakeholders before any scheme is implemented in Mayals in order to ensure that the scheme is safe, and environmentally sensitive.

DR DAI LLOYD Plaid Cymru MS