Public can have say on innovative new pedestrian route along River Tawe

Swansea Council has developed proposals for a new Active Travel walking and cycling route, which would link up between the city centre and the Hafod Copperworks.

The latest design for the route would include a 3-4 metre wide shared use path for walkers and cyclists, along with a raised boardwalk section above the River Tawe.

A consultation on the draft design proposals is now under way and the public have the chance to feed into the design phase by providing comments on the plans.

Last year, the Council received more than £1million through the Welsh Government Active Travel Fund to enable a wide range of walking and cycling routes to be designed. Some of the funding has been used to design the River Tawe route.

Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said: "The River Tawe corridor is a vital part of Swansea's wider regeneration plans. We have already seen the excellent redevelopment of the Hafod Copperworks site into the Penderyn Distillery and plans are in place for further redevelopment in the coming years.

"The plans for a new walking and cycling route will give great access to the riverside and as well as providing pedestrian access between the city centre, the Copperworks and the stadium.

"We are at an early stage in terms of the design and want the public to take part in this process."

In recent years, Active Travel funding has been used to develop more sections of walking and cycling routes along the River Tawe between the Swansea.com stadium and junction 45 of the M4.

Cllr Stevens added: "Our aim is to create a widespread network of walking and cycling routes that link up communities and provide alternative options for residents to travel around Swansea. At the same time, we are developing routes that take advantage of our natural assets such as the River Tawe."

The public consultation for the Tawe Riverside Corridor walking and cycling proposals is open until May 6. To take part, visit https://www.swansea.gov.uk/activetravelrivertawe