Transport Minister, Carl Sargeant has announced that £5m will be allocated to local authorities to develop safe walking and cycling routes across Wales.
The Safe Routes in Communities Capital grant will be used to build cycle and walking paths to community facilities such as schools, hospitals, leisure centres, and community centres.
Successful bids that will benefit from the grant include:
- Aberbeeg Community Link – improvements to pedestrian & cycling routes between Aberbeeg & Six Bells – £156,000
- Coychurch – speed reduction measures, reduced kerb heights, improved junctions, signage improvements – £180,000
- Pembrey – 20mph zones, traffic calming measures, provision of new & improved crossing points, road widening – £558,000
- Bodedern – including a new footpath, zebra crossing, speed restrictions and improved pedestrian facilities in the community around the school – £184,000
- Ruthin – scheme will provide improvements across the community by introducing additional pedestrian crossings and cycle storage facilities – £120,000
Carl Sargeant said:
“Only by providing people with realistic and enjoyable alternative options to the car can achieve our aim of changing people’s attitude towards transport and develop a truly sustainable transport system in Wales.”
“The benefits of using sustainable transport are wide ranging, from enjoying healthy exercise as you walk or cycle to work to reducing congestion in our towns and cities.
“We are all aware of the need to reduce our carbon footprint, and walking and cycling instead of driving can help to make a real difference.”
“This welcome funding will go towards enabling local authorities to promote sustainable travel through a combination of initiatives that will encourage people to walk and cycle more.”
The capital funding has been allocated to local authorities for schemes to be delivered in 2012/13.
