Cycle path approved despite local concerns
Richard Youle Local Democracy Reporter
Plans for a new cycle path in Pontarddulais have been approved despite concerns about its effect on a territorial dog and a van parked there since 1990.
The new shared-use path will start from Pentre Road, at the northern edge of Rhydgoch Cemetery, and run in a north-east direction to Birch Rock Road and from there to Bolgoed Road, which links the town to Pontlliw.
It’ll go along the boundary of a former brickworks at one point, across a large water main at another, and also follow the route of an existing rear lane used by Pentre Road properties. Some trees will have to be cut down.
The planning application by Swansea Council led to five objections from people who raised a number of concerns, among them the path’s impact on the rear lane. One objector said their dog was territorial and would be disturbed by cyclists, causing “excessive barking”. Another said residents parked vehicles on the lane, including a van that’s been there for 35 years.
Security fears
Privacy and security fears were also expressed, along with doubt that a new shared-use path was needed given there was a new one at nearby Coed Bach Park, and concern that off-road motorcyclists might use it.
There was also a letter of support which said the path would improve access for schoolchildren and provide a route to shops. It added: “The current overgrown land will be improved with the creation of the path, enhancing the local area’s appearance.”
Council planning officers have approved the application while imposing conditions such as a requirement for more trees to be planted than will be cut down and the submission of a contaminated land remediation strategy.
Links
A decision report by officers said they acknowledged a new shared-use path may lead to privacy, security and quality of life worries for some people but added: “Based on the information available, it is not anticipated on balance that any perceived or unreasonable additional harm beyond the current situation would be caused by the proposed development.”
The benefits of the project, they said, were encouraging people to take fewer journeys by car and improving their health and well-being.
Pentre Road is served by another shared-use path to the south, which links Pontarddulais with Gowerton. Pontarddulais councillor Kevin Griffiths said this path and the one through Coed Bach Park were well-used by cyclists and walkers.
Referring to the latest planning decision, he said: “You’re always going to have people who approve and people who disapprove.”
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This scheme will also need a new crossing point on Pentre Road to join the new cycle path at Rhydgoch Cemetery as there is at the railway bridge over the Swansea district line joining the cycle path down Gorseinon, Gowerton and Swansea. Currently, the shared use cycle path is on the west side of Pentre Road. Also, the existing cycle path from near Rhydgoch Cemetery through Parc Coed Bach behind Tesco into the town and train station is currently not signposted. Cyclists currently use the main road and the Pontarddulais one-way system. Also the cycle path access directly into Gowerton train station… Read more »
Good to see the beginnings of a network but it sounds as if the Local Higways folk have not quite understood the concept of ‘network’ in relation to cycle paths. Things do need to join up. Pwrhaps a CCTV system could be set up for a whole to see who is using/abusing it. If motorcyclists use it they can then be identified and prosecuted.
Cycle paths before homelessness, child poverty ,the NHS, education standards ,people’s objections and common sense. Ten years of Sustainable Travel schemes , trying to get people to walk and cycle at great cost and little has changed. How about regular and cheaper public transport for the 85% who want to do what nearly every politician does and not use bike paths to get to work.