Plans for the first phase of a 1.3km riverside cycle and footpath in south Wales which could cost £8 million have been approved.
The shared-use path on the west bank of the River Tawe will eventually connect the Tawe bridges area with White Rock Bridge, effectively linking the city with the former Hafod-Morfa Copperworks site and Swansea.com Stadium, says Nation Cymru.
Concerns have been raised about moped riders potentially using the path and other anti-social behaviour, but an application by Swansea Council to build a 325m section has been given the go-ahead.
This section will link Coles Close on the Tawe bridges end to a large riverside student complex called True Student. A future second phase will extend a further 960m to White Rock Bridge.
It’s going to be an expensive project because of piling and retaining wall work. In April this year the council’s cabinet approved an £8.2 million budget over three years including surveys and project management. There’s an existing shared-use path on the opposite side of the Tawe.
Low-level lighting will be installed to make the new path feel safe in the evenings and early mornings, a design and access statement submitted as part of the council’s application said. It added that there would be access for emergency vehicles if necessary.
(Picture: Swansea Council)
