Caerleon cycle route gets more cash from Assembly

Newport West AM Rosemary Butler has welcomed the news that another crucial section of the Newport-Caerleon Connect 2 cycle route has been given the necessary go ahead by the Welsh Assembly Government.

The Pillmawr Road to Home Farm section is due to open in April, and  the Assembly Government has now agreed to provide  £549,000 from its National Transport Grant fund to help build the next section of the route from Home Farm to Caerleon Comprehensive School.  A major feature of this section will be a railway bridge near St Cadoc's Hospital as part of the Assembly's Safe Routes in Communities programme for 2010/11. There are plans to extend the cycle route eventually through Caerleon and the Celtic Manor Resort to Wentwood Forest .

Other partners in the scheme include the transport charity Sustrans, Newport Unlimited, Newport City Council, Newport University and transport consultants Capita Symonds. Mrs Butler recently learned to ride a cycle herself and became an official Sustrans cycling champion. 

Rosemary Butler said:

"I am delighted. I have been closely involved in funding discussions with the Welsh Assembly Government, and I also played a part in the successful bid by Sustrans to win lottery money for cycle routes all over the country - including the Newport-Caerleon project.  Last year the Assembly awarded £425,000 for the Pillmawr Road to Home Farm section, and now we have an even bigger grant.

"This is probably one of the most important sections of the  route because it means that pupils from housing estates on the outskirts of Caerleon will be able to get to school in safety, either on foot or on cycles. It will also provide a vital link between the centre of Caerleon and Newport so that cyclists will be able to get to the railway station and other parts of the City without having to share the road with motorists.

"It'll be good for the environment and good for people's health and in the long run good for the local economy."

Wednesday March 3, 2010

 

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