Hywel Francis

Labour Party | Aberavon

Sustrans’ plans for more cycling and walking routes get boost from politicians

Dr Hywel Francis MP, Lee Waters, Welsh Director of Sustrans, Dr Brian Gibbons AM an Ryland Jones of Sustrans at therir recent meeting

Efforts to get people out of their cars have received the backing of Aberavon’s MP and AM.

Plans from the sustainable transport charity Sustrans’ plans to extend the network of cycling and walking routes in the south Wales valleys have been supported by Dr Hywel Francis and Dr Brian Gibbons AM. 

At a recent meeting with Lee Waters, the Welsh Director of Sustrans,  both endorsed the green charity’s proposal for a Valleys Cycle Network to link up all the major towns in south Wales, and the planned new route connecting Sandfields to Port Talbot town centre and the Afan Forest Park – which Sustrans is putting forward for lottery funding.

The charity is looking for local support for the Connect2 scheme, which will link the forest and the sea with Port Talbot town centre.  It is one of the 79 projects across the UK that form Sustrans’ £50 million Connect2 bid to the Big Lottery Fund’s Living Landmarks: The People’s Millions competition. 

The scheme will see a new cycling and walking route through the town, under the A4 and up the valley past Cwmafan to reach Pontrhydyfen and the magnificent network of trails through the Afan Forest Park. 

“Connect2 is a practical project aimed at improving local travel in ways that will benefit people’s health and the environment. 79 community-based schemes from all around the UK will overcome barriers like busy roads and rivers to make journeys easier, safer, more enjoyable and more sustainable”  Lee Waters said.

A special Connect2 Day on 27 September will highlight the benefits of the Port Talbot to Cwmafan and Afan Forest Park scheme. Finally a televised public vote in December will decide which of the projects competing in the Living Landmarks: The People’s Millions competition will win the single multi-million pound grant [1].

The project will link into Sustrans’ other major initiative: a £20 million Valleys Cycle Network.  The ambitious plan will see a 250-mile extension of the National Cycle Network through the old south Wales coalfield to bring a quality cycling and walking path within two miles of over a million people.  The charity are putting it forward for EU Cohesion funding in partnership with Neath and Port Talbot Council and the regional transport consortium SEWTA.

Hywel Francis MP for Aberavon said “The Valleys Cycle Network routes will follow the former tramways, railways and canal towpaths remaining from south Wales’ industrial past and will link together the main towns with employment sites and leisure amenities.  It will open up the hidden beauty of our valleys to walkers and cyclists”

Dr Brian Gibbons AM, said: “The Welsh Assembly is committed to cut greenhouse gasses year on year.  And cutting the number of journeys we make by car is an important step towards reducing our carbon footprint.  Sustrans’ vision of travelling in way which helps the environment and improves our health deserves our backing”.