The short but strategically important stretch connects the village directly to the station platforms and wider cycle routes running from Pontarddulais through Gorseinon and Gowerton towards Swansea and the Gower.
It had been due to open much earlier in the year, but work was held up by the need for specialist rail contractors, additional lighting and CCTV to meet Network Rail and Transport for Wales standards.
Cllr Andrew Stevens, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said:
“The process has taken longer than anticipated because it has been difficult to achieve necessary permissions for specialist contractors – and the availability of those contractors – to complete works required by Transport for Wales and Network Rail.
We had always aimed to see the path opened by the end of the summer, just in time for the new school year, and I’m really pleased children heading back to school for the new autumn term will be able to use it.”
The link means people can now walk or cycle off‑road from Pontarddulais to Gowerton station and beyond, avoiding busy sections of Victoria Road.
Months of frustration
The project has been the subject of repeated updates from local councillors, including Cllr Dai Jenkins, who has pressed for progress since last year. In August, he reported that final sign‑offs for lighting bollards, CCTV coverage of the new bike shelter, and safety certification were still outstanding — despite the tarmac path itself being complete for months.
The delays meant the route remained locked at the station end, forcing cyclists and pedestrians to take a longer, traffic‑heavy detour.
Part of a bigger network
The new link forms part of Swansea’s 127km network of walking and cycling routes, developed under the Welsh Government’s Active Travel programme. The council says it is another step towards making sustainable travel safer and more convenient for commuters, school pupils and visitors.
More information on Swansea’s active travel network is available on the council’s website.
