The £6m plan to expand city cycle network

DETAILS of a £6.1 million bid to expand the cycle network across Swansea have been published.

If the council is successful in securing the Welsh Government money, new schemes will take shape in 202122 while existing ones will be extended.

Cabinet members will be asked to approve an application for the Active Travel funding at a meeting next week.

More than a third of the £6.1 million is earmarked for the Swansea northern strategic route between Morriston, Penllergaer and Pontarddulais, some of which is already in existence.

The plan to develop this strategic route further comprises:

■ A new 1.6km shareduse path from Station Road, Grovesend, up to Pontarddulais

■ A 2.8km shared-use path adjacent to Gorseinon Road between Penllergaer and Gorseinon

■ A shared-use path adjacent to Clasemont Road, Morriston, allowing off-road cycle access to the DVLA

■ A new link connecting Tidal Reach, on one side of Pontarddulais, to Pentre Road on the other side.

The council is also hoping to develop two new city links - a 2.8km shared-use path through Penllergare Valley Woods to connect Penllergaer with Fforestfach, and a 1.4km route connecting Townhill and Carmarthen Road.

Its third key project involves the expansion of cycle routes serving Bonymaen, Swansea Enterprise Park and Morriston. The focus is on new provision at Upper Forest Way, Jersey Road, and a new 700m section along the River Tawe to enable future links between Morriston and Ynystawe to the north.

Another part of the council’s £6.1m bid is for funding to carry out feasibility and design work for future schemes beyond 202122.

These future schemes could include:

■ A 2km route along Sketty Road, Uplands, down to the city centre via Walter Road

■ A new route at Ponty-cob Road, near Gowerton, which is used by cyclists pedalling between Swansea and Llanelli

■ A new route along Clyne Common, linking Mayals Road and Bishopston

■ A new link between the DVLA, Clase, and Morriston Hospital

■ Improvements to the cycle route running along the Swansea Canal in Clydach

■ New provision in residential areas of Mumbles, and a new link between Clase and Cwm Level Road in Plasmarl

■ Dedicated cycle parking adjacent to the Quadrant Bus Station.

The cycle and shared-use path network across Swansea is around 120km.

The current and future schemes are based on an integrated network map which was consulted on and finalised in 2017.

Concerns have been raised in Mayals and parts of Derwen Fawr and Sketty in recent months by people who feel there is a lack of consultation as these individual schemes come to fruition.

Council chiefs are determined to increase cycling options and make the most of the available Welsh Government funding.

Stuart Davies, head of highways and transportation, said: “We are continuing to expand our cycle network in Swansea in an effort to make cycling a serious and realistic option of transport for people commuting to work.”

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We are continuing to expand our cycle network in Swansea in an effort to make cycling a serious and realistic option of transport for people commuting to work - Stuart Davies, head of highways and transportation