Dispute over Swansea cycle path

SWANSEA Council has secured the highest share of funding for new cycle and walking routes of all authorities in Wales for the second year in a row, but a row is already brewing about its plan for a new route in Mayals.

The authority bagged £5.1 million from the Welsh Government for a series of projects which must be designed and completed by the end of March 2021.

But its proposal for a cycle path either side of Mayals Road, which links Mumbles Road to Clyne Common and South Gower beyond, has been branded “a recipe for disaster on all fronts”.

The claim was made in a question to cabinet by retired highway engineer and lifelong cyclist David Judd, who said an alternative cycle route on Fairwood Road was preferable.

He claimed that mature trees would have to be removed to accommodate 1.5m cycle paths either side of a narrowed Mayals Road carriageway, and that parking would be lost.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Judd, of Bishopston, said traffic calming measures could be installed along Fairwood Road to create a preferable cycle route from Mumbles Road to where it joins Mayals Road near Clyne Common.

Mayals residents also submitted written questions to cabinet, congratulating them on developing new cycle routes in Swansea but urging them not to proceed with the Mayals Road proposal.

One of them described Mayals Road, with its driveways and side roads, as a “complex street environment”.

Cllr Mark Thomas, cabinet member for environment enhancement and infrastructure management, said Mayals Road was already the preferred option for cyclists, that the proposed design minimised impact on trees, and that the scheme had to be mindful of pedestrians as well.

He stressed the final design had not been completed and that the council would listen to the views of residents and interested parties.

Cllr Thomas said Fairwood Road was as steep as Mayals Road, if not steeper, and also had side roads.

“We have looked at both options over time,” he said. “Neither are easy.”

He added that up to five times as many cyclists and walkers have been using popular routes during the coronavirus lockdown compared to normal.

Cllr Jennifer Raynor said new active travel routes needed to cater for walkers and scooters – particularly to encourage children to scoot to school – as well as cyclists.

Referring to the surge in cycling and walking, she said: “Maybe it’s time we should consider a code of conduct, or behaviour standards, which are in place in other UK authorities.”

She also said facilities to store bikes and clothing were needed to encourage workers and pupils to cycle during wet weather.

Cllr Thomas said he was “happy to look to develop” a code of conduct, and that an additional £600,000 had been secured for bike storage facilities in Swansea.

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies said cycling and walking routes in Swansea and Gower were very popular with tourists, and that he was “amazed” that protests had taken place recently about a perceived shortage of cycle infrastructure.

Council leader Rob Stewart said every active travel scheme was about finding the right balance.

“That is a very difficult and challenging balancing act for everyone,” he said.

Swansea Council have asked the Welsh Government for £6.9 million of active travel money and got £5.1 million.

So how will the £5.1 million be spent?

A total of £2.4 million will go towards the new Oystermouth Road bridge near the new indoor arena, plus a one-mile cycle route linking Townhill to Carmarthen Road, another Townhill route to the Broadway interchange at Cockett, and a short section of cycle path past the Guildhall and Swansea Crown Court.

A total of £1.8 million is for the proposed Mayals Road route (see main story), which in time will link to a new South Gower route, plus a shared use path in Sketty Park along Sketty Park Road, Sketty Park Drive and Park Way, and a Killay link including provision for Olchfa School.

Just under £800,000 will be spent on design and survey work, and promotion of existing routes