Permanent active travel route along Cowbridge Road approved

Bridgend County Borough Council’s Cabinet have approved plans for an active travel route along Cowbridge Road which will provide the final major link in the Pencoed to Bridgend town centre network.

Once complete, the Pencoed to Bridgend active travel network will connect to the existing active travel network into Brackla, as well as National Cycle Network Route 885 which links the town centre with Bridgend Railway Station, Broadlands and Tondu.

The £1.8m scheme which is being funded by a Welsh Government Active Travel Grant will see crossing facilities installed, the widening of footways to become a shared walking and cycle route, as well as a reduction of the current speed limit along Cowbridge Road.

Currently this section is a missing link along a key active travel route – completing it, will enable improved active travel access to employment locations, local schools and colleges, the existing railway station at Bridgend, and also to the proposed Brackla railway station at Bridgend Industrial Estate.

Active travel routes aim to improve safety conditions to enable those who want to walk or cycle to leave their cars at home, providing health benefits for individuals while also helping reduce congestion and environmental pollution.

The council’s Cabinet Member for Communities Stuart Baldwin

Final drawings for the scheme are due to be put on display at the council’s Civic Offices in Angel Street, Bridgend, next month with dates to be confirmed.

Cllr Baldwin said: “Having listened to the concerns raised during the statutory consultation process, this is now the final design which has been approved and will be implemented.

“The designs are in line with all Welsh Government safety and transport guidance.”