Pont y Werin – or People’s Bridge – is celebrating winning a Green Apple Award and being shortlisted for a National Transport Award.
The Green Apple Awards recognises, rewards and promotes environmental best practice around the world and is one of the major environmental recognition schemes, both in the UK and internationally.
The National Transport Awards recognise excellence across the transport industry in the UK and Ireland, rewarding innovation and progress for transport initiatives.
The 140 meter Pont y Werin provides a vital link for pedestrians and cyclists to cross between Penarth and the International Sports Village in Cardiff Bay and has been shortlisted in the category of Cycle Improvement at the National Transport awards.
The Cycle Improvement award recognizes a cycle strategy or an individual scheme, which has brought significant benefits.
Since opening in July 2010 the bridge has provided many advantages to both Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan residents. Benefits include, improving connectivity between Cardiff and the Vale for cyclists and pedestrians, helping to reduce dependency on cars and providing a sustainable travel alternative.
The bridge has also expanded the cycle network in the Cardiff area and completed the Bay Trail, which is a 10.5km walking and cycle trail around the picturesque setting of Cardiff Bay.
The bridge marks the culmination of three years partnership working and funding between Cardiff Council, Welsh Government, Cardiff Harbour Authority, Vale of Glamorgan Council, and a grant from sustainable transport charity Sustrans, through The Big Lottery Fund.
The Big Lottery Fund grant was awarded to Sustrans in 2007, to fund a national project extending the charity’s National Cycle Network into communities across the UK, providing new walking and cycling routes for everyday journeys.
Executive Member for Traffic and Transportation, Cllr Lisa Ford, said: ”Pont y Werin or the ‘People’s Bridge’ is truly a bridge for the people and a year on from its opening it’s clear to see that the bridge is heavily used by residents of both Cardiff and The Vale of Glamoragan.
“I am delighted that we have won a prestigious Green Apple Award and shortlisted for a National Transport Award. Both have recognized the benefits the bridge has brought to the two communities it serves.
“The bridge has made an enormous difference to how people travel around Cardiff and the Vale and has played a key part in ensuring Cardiff continues to deliver our Sustainable Travel city promise of offering an integrated transport system which offers safe, efficient and sustainable travel for all.”
Ryland Jones, Deputy Director of Sustrans Cymru , said, “It’s great that Pont-y-Werin is being nominated for and winning awards. We know that many people want to walk and cycle for their local journeys if we provide safe and attractive spaces to do so, and the bridge is providing just such a space.”
Minister for Transport, Carl Sargeant, said: ” We are fully committed to delivering a truly sustainable transport system across Wales and provide people with realistic and enjoyable alternatives to the car.”
“As a vital transport connection for the city, Pont y Werin is a reflection of this commitment and has proven to be very popular with both local residents and visitors.”
The National Transport Awards take place on October 6 2011.
