Cash pot for active travel

A£14.5M funding pot has been set up to encourage more people to walk or cycle in Gwynedd and Anglesey.

The cash, according to ministers, is designed to create more routes and facilities in Wales, having previously called on councils to be “radical and ambitious”.

More than 66 active travel projects, as well as six multi-modal schemes, will benefit with three based in Gwynedd and another five on Anglesey – totalling £519,000.

This includes a £115,000 grant for one scheme linking Caergeiliog with RAF Valley.

This will see the construction of a shared use path with crossing point at the entrance to Anglesey Airport and RAF Valley.

Meanwhile, £92,000 will be spent on the Blaenau Ffestiniog to Tanygrisiau scheme, which includes improvements to pedestrian access and road safety outside Ysgol Tanygrisiau, including a disabled access ramp from the main road to the school.

Lee Waters, the Deputy Economy and Transport Minister, said: “We are facing a climate emergency, an obesity epidemic and an air quality crisis – and active travel can help us address all of these. Across Wales we need to do things differently.

“I have been clear that we need to think big, show ambition and be radical.

“These projects are a step in the right direction to achieve the change we need, and we will continue to make significant investment to make active travel the obvious choice for more journeys in Wales.”

Schemes earmarked in this latest round of funding are:

Anglesey:

● £50,000 – Llangefni: Land purchase for segregated active travel route

● £115,000 – Caergelliog – RAF Valley, shared use path and crossing point

● £29,000 – Ysgol Kingsland, pelican crossing

● £57,500 – Penlon, Menai Bridge: Upgrade footway and cycle route

● £69,000 _ High Street Link, Benllech: Upgrade footpath.

Gwynedd:

● £81,500 – Porthmadog: Multi user path from the High Street to Glaslyn leisure centre

● £92,000 – Blaenau Ffestiniog – Tanygrisiau: disabled access ramp and pedestrian access improvements