Funding boost to improve off-road cycle and footway route in Barry.

Published 15 February 2012

A Vale of Glamorgan Council scheme to provide a safe route to schools and work in Barry has been given a funding boost.

The off-road cycle and footway is set to be completed by the end of March, thanks to more than £400,000 extra funding from the Welsh Government’s Safe Routes in Communities scheme.

The scheme has funded the completion of a route along Port Road, but the additional money will make a path between Barry Comprehensive School and the Docks Link Road a reality by the end of March.

It will allow a safe walking and cycling route for residents to access facilities on Port Road and Colcot Road. School children and students attending Barry Comprehensive, Bryn Hafren and Ysgol Bro Morgannwg secondary schools as well as Colcot Primary School will be among those to benefit from the scheme, which will also link Barry Hospital and other facilities such as surgeries, shops, sports pitches and leisure facilities.

The scheme also benefits from funds that have been secured for the community as the result of the construction of the Vale of Glamorgan Memorial Park and Crematorium and the Golwg-Y-Coed housing development at Pencoedtre. As part of granting planning permission, funds promised by the developer are used to pay for infrastructure such as roads and leisure facilities nearby.

Councillor Jeffrey James, Cabinet member for planning and transportation, said: "This is a key priority for the council and it’s excellent news that further funding has ensured that this important scheme can be completed well ahead of schedule.

"The combined footpath and cycle path will be of huge benefit to all sectors of the community and also demonstrates the council’s commitment to sustainable travel and safe cycling."