Plans for an iconic walking and cycle bridge over the Foryd Harbour in Rhyl have now been submitted for consideration by planners.
The bridge is being developed by Denbighshire County Council and Sustrans, the UK charity that enables people to make more of their everyday journeys by foot, bike and public transport.
It forms part of Sustrans’ Connect2 project, which won £50million from the Big Lottery Fund in 2007 to develop new walking and cycling routes across the UK. £450,000 of this will be put towards the £4.2 million project, with £3.75 million from the European Regional Development Fund and the Welsh Assembly Government.
The proposed new bridge will join the counties of Denbighshire and Conwy, bridging a gap in National Cycle Route 5 and will also form part of the Wales Coastal Path.
In September 2009, public consultation took place followed by a competition to design the new bridge. Five designs were submitted and Dawnus, with sub-contractors Giffords from Chester, submitted an iconic design which won, with endorsement from the Design Commission for Wales.
Councillor David Thomas, Cabinet Lead Member for Regeneration and Tourism, said: “The bridge is a bascule bridge which will create quite a spectacle when opening and closing and will it attract tourists and inspire local people. There is extensive regeneration taking place at the Foryd Harbour that will complement the bridge and revitalise the whole area.
“This bridge will be a truly iconic feature for the town of Rhyl and it is part of a nationwide project that will give people the freedom to choose to travel sustainably”.
Area Manager for Sustrans, Glyn Evans, added:
“Sustrans is delighted to be working with Denbighshire County Council to develop this important missing link in Rhyl. This new bridge will provide a much needed link across to Kinmel Bay and the county of Conwy, which will make it so much easier and safer for people to make more of their everyday journeys without having to get in their car.”
