Following the news that the Welsh Government has rejected the plans to fund a cycle route from Glan Conwy to RSPB, Janet Finch-Saunders, Assembly Member for Aberconwy, has challenged the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure, and spoken of her despair at Welsh Government’s decision making process for active travel route spending.
Janet said:
“When I was a Cabinet Member on Conwy County Borough Council, in 2004, having a cycle route connecting Glan Conwy to Conwy and Deganwy beside the Conwy River was recognised as a priority.
“Still today, after much representation, the matter remains unresolved with the cycle route stopping at the reserve.
“Much hope was placed on the Active Travel Route application because in addition to there being significant demand by local residents and families for the route to be completed, it is actually an extremely sensible proposal.
“For example, it has safety advantages, such as addressing the fact that cyclists travelling from Glan Conwy to Conwy have to navigate the hazardous black cat roundabouts.
“Questions really do now have to be asked about the purpose of having the Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013 if the Welsh Government is prepared to puncture plans for such a brilliant cycling project here in Aberconwy.
“Many people will be disappointed at this news, especially when considering that a quarter of a million was spent on a totally unnecessary 450 meter shared cycle and pedestrian path outside Llanrwst. Clearly, the Welsh Government is out of touch with local need”.
ENDS
Written Assembly Question and Response:
Janet Finch-Saunders:
Will the Cabinet Secretary outline reasons for the rejection of the Glan Conwy to RSPB Active Travel Route application to the Local Transport Fund 2017/18?
Ken Skates, Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure:
Conwy County Borough Council submitted a bid for funding of £1.26m from the Local Transport Fund for 2017-18 for phase 1 of the proposed Glan Conwy to RSPB active travel route. Phase 1 included the construction of a route through the RSPB Site and a new bridge over the Llandudno to Blaenau Ffestiniog rail line.
All applications were assessed against the criteria set for the grant. Applications totalled almost twice the funding available and the Glan Conwy to RSPB scheme did not score as highly as other schemes.
Notes
Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013
Conwy Council and the Welsh Government’s Path to Pennilessness