Sustainable Cycle Route Formally Opened

An innovative cycle route that completes a missing link between Torfaen and the Heads of the Valleys cycle network has been formally opened. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The extension of the national cycle network route 492 creates a traffic-free link between Brynmawr and Blaenavon, forming a continuous cycle network from Newport to Merthyr Tydfil and Neath. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

It was funded by the Welsh Government’s Active Travel scheme and delivered by Torfaen council in partnership with the transport charity Sustrans. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Due to the ecological value of the land, the route was constructed using techniques designed to protect the area’s natural biodiversity. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

A lightweight plastic infrastructure was laid down to create a secure and stable path which was then covered in soil, and planted with native wild grass and flowers. Habitats for insects, reptiles such as slow worms and newts, and mammals such as otters, have been built along the path. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

John Cunningham, executive member for neighbourhood services, said: “This cycle route creates a much needed, safe cycle link that joins Torfaen up with the rest of the Heads of the Valleys cycle network, and is already being widely used by cyclists and walkers as a cleaner and greener way to travel. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The funding we have received from Welsh Government’s Active Travel scheme has allowed us to link more communities and businesses together, and improve transport links across the borough.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Gwyn Smith from Sustrans said: “This link plugs a gap in the network that forced cyclists onto a busy road and was a barrier to many people wanting to cycle to work, or for recreation. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We have had a lot of good feedback about this route and we know that people are using it to commute to work between Blaenavon and Brynmawr.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Councillor Lewis Jones, executive member for regeneration, said: “Protecting the area’s natural biodiversity was a challenge, but by taking a holistic approach our officers have created something which actually enhances the habitats for local wildlife. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“It also makes popular tourist destinations such as the Blaenavon World Heritage site, Big Pit, the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway and Blaenavon Iron Works more accessible for cyclists.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​