The proposed active travel network expansion, which has been under discussion with residents and businesses, aims to provide dedicated cycling lanes and improved pedestrian and crossing facilities along Walter Road and Sketty Road. It would also see general upgrades to key public areas in Uplands.
However, a number of key policy and priority changes announced by the new administrations in Westminster and Cardiff on economic growth and public transportation, will now need to be fully considered by Swansea Council’s Cabinet, alongside feedback from Swansea residents and businesses before a decision is made on whether to proceed with the Sketty and Uplands scheme.
Cllr Andrew Stevens, the council’s Cabinet Member Environment and Infrastructure, said:
“Our transport and highways teams have done an amazing job in creating an extensive walking and cycling network that offers residents and visitors over 120km of safe, enjoyable off-road walking and cycling routes that connect communities, links for children to their local schools and are used and enjoyed by residents and visitors daily’.
“However, it’s clear that some remaining part of the proposed network, especially those that run through local commercial areas, are much more challenging technically to deliver without sustained disruption.
“The active travel route for Walter Road and Sketty Road has identified some important local and broader impacts that need to be considered further before deciding whether it is right to continue.”
“We are aware of misleading comments on social media claiming that decisions were made before people have had a chance to give their views. This is completely untrue.
“However, there are some broader considerations. Cabinet will need to take into account before making a decision on whether to proceed with the scheme.
Cllr Rob Stewart, Leader of the council, said:
”People want better roads but also cheaper and more reliable bus and rail services. That is what we are attempting to deliver with over £8m being invested in local roads this year, and free bus travel being offered across Swansea during holiday periods.
“However, with the announcement of significant policy changes following the election of the new Government in Westminster and a reprioritisation and refocusing of priorities by the new Welsh Cabinet, we have the potential to do even more on public transport as a driver of economic growth and prosperity.
“Swansea is already going through its biggest ever sustained period of regeneration and has recently been identified as being one of the fastest growing cities in the UK next year.
“With both Government focusing on economic growth and taking tangible steps to invest in public owned or controlled transport across the UK, including new bus franchising in Swansea and South west Wales from 2027, and the potential for a new rail metro network services in South West Wales currently being finalised by TFW, it’s right to reassess how best to prioritise our own local transport investment in Swansea as we plan for these changes.
“We also know that Swansea is a major tourist destination and our annual programme of major events, provides a significant economic tourism boost to our local economy.
“Events like the Wales National Airshow and major concerts draw in hundreds of thousands of visitors and tourists. Planning for these events relies on the ability to safely divert traffic flows through area like Sketty and Uplands. So, investments must support and grow the local economy.”
“Transport, tourism, and economy officers are currently assessing all of the broader considerations plus the comments provided by residents and businesses during recent local engagements, so a revised report can be provided to the council’s Cabinet for a decision to be made on whether to progress this scheme.”
Uplands councillor Peter May welcomed the halting of the cycle path scheme:
In” my view common sense has prevailed. The dilemma the council had was the scheme’s engineer-ability. The last thing we wanted was to rush something through.”
[Lead image: Swansea Council]
