Consultation over improving access to Vale coastline
The Vale of Glamorgan Council is bidding for new monies to
improve public access to the area's coastline.
The Welsh Assembly Government has allocated some £1.5m in
2007/08 for local authorities across Wales under its Coastal Access
Improvement Programme, and the Vale is hoping for at least
£100,000.
Administered by the Countryside Council for Wales, the programme
is expected to run for up to six years. If the Vale's grant bid is
successful, preparatory work will begin in 2007/08 to include
detailed investigation of practical schemes as well as consultation
with interest groups. Improvements for the benefit of the public
should be visible over the next few years.
Ninety-two per cent of the 53 kilometres of Vale coastline is
accessible on land - 60 per cent of this through Public Rights
of Way - and potential schemes are being prepared following
consultation with town and community councils, major landowners and
other interested groups and organisations.
Key priorities of the programme are improving existing paths and
routes, developing new and improved links and circular routes,
improving and extending access opportunities for young families,
the disabled, cyclists and horse riders, and providing information,
signage and activities to promote increased use of the
coastline.
Linking routes will also be eligible as the coastal zone for
funding purposes is defined as some two kilometres inland.
Cabinet Member for Tourism and Leisure Cllr Gwyn John said: "One
of the aims of the scheme is to ensure that all improvements are
sustainable, and the Council will need to address normal
maintenance issues through its own budgets.
"It is essential that we take maximum advantage of opportunities
to improve public access to the coastline which is, of course, a
great attraction to residents and visitors.
"This is a very new programme, and a more considered action plan
will be prepared and considered later in the year."