Cycling Path Improvements In Penparcau

New improvements to the path network in Penparcau will be carried out before the end of the financial year.
The Council will be carrying out work to widen and re-surface the path which runs through Penparcau Park and connects with the underpass leading to Llwyn yr Eos Primary School; it will be widened to three metres, making it suitable for use by cyclists and pedestrians. New lighting will be installed to improve safety during periods of darkness. The work will complement the extension to Penparcau Community Centre along with providing an improved route to the primary school. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Proposals have been developed to improve the path from Fifth Avenue in Penparcau, which runs alongside the allotments and over St Brieuc bridge and then connects with the Rheidol Cycle Trail. This popular route is an important connection for pupils living in Penparcau needing to access local schools. The proposals include creating a new segregated entrance for motorists accessing the allotments which will reduce the risk of conflict with pedestrians and cyclists; the development will also entail widening the path to three metres and to remove the current level difference at the bridge to aid mobility and pushchair users. Repairs will also be made to the bridge along with the installation of an increased parapet for the safety of cyclists. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Councillor Alun Williams, the cabinet member responsible for transport said “We receive regular requests from residents in Penparcau for better facilities for cyclists so our officers have put a lot of thought into designing these schemes which will encourage both walking and cycling and improve safety for everyone. We’ve built quite significant amount of cycle path in the Aberystwyth area in the last few years. I’m keen to keep pushing ahead with this and the Council is in the process of applying for funding for further schemes, both in Aberystwyth and other parts of the county.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The improvements are in line with Active Travel Design Guidance introduced by the Welsh Government in December 2014; this will help the route to be included as an Active Travel route within the Existing Route Map for Aberystwyth Town which is due to be resubmitted to the Welsh Government for approval in November 2017. The work will result in a safer, improved and more attractive route. It is hoped that the improvements will increase active travel journeys between Penparcau and Aberystwyth Town. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​