MORE safe walking and cycling routes are on the way to Swansea after the city received a multi-million pound boost.
Swansea Council has been awarded £5,367,000 of funding from the Welsh Government to develop a number of new routes across the city, helping to connect more communities with sustainable transport routes.
New routes set to be created, include a route across Clyne Common, a new route in the north of the Morriston community – creating a safe walking and cycling route to and from the Riverside Holiday Park, improvements to the existing route between Kingsbridge and Grovesend, as well as new routes in Pontarddulais and between the DVLA and Morriston Hospital.
Funding has also been provided to widen the existing Mumbles Foreshore and will be completed as part of the ongoing Mumbles Coastal Defence improvements.
Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment & Infrastructure, said: “The Welsh Government has been extremely supportive again this year in terms of funding the majority of schemes we put forward in our grant bid.
“The funding will assist us in our continued efforts to create new sustainable transport links in Swansea.
“Walking and cycling is a healthy and sustainable way of getting about and our aim is to continue expanding the existing network of off-road routes we already have in Swansea.”
A number of routes funded from last year’s Active Travel grant are nearing completion, including the extension of the Morriston South link, a link between Gorseinon and Penllergaer as well as a new route along Ynysallan Road, near Birchgrove.
Last year, dozens of school children joined the Council and local cycle groups to formally open a new shared-use walking and cycling route between Grovesend and Pontarddulais – and travels along the remains of a former railway line.
Cllr Stevens, added: “Every year, we are adding to our existing walking and cycling network by developing innovative and safe routes that everyone can use, either for travelling to and from work or enjoying as a healthy pastime with family and friends.”