Design work underway to develop active travel routes in Welshpool

24 January 2023

Following Welsh Governments' approval of the county's Active Travel Network Maps (ATNM), work has started to develop designs for improving active travel provision on Severn Street, in Welshpool.

Identified on the ATNM by the community and stakeholders, this would form the first phase of a wider project to create a local active travel network - enabling more journeys to be undertaken by foot or bicycle within the town.

The proposed route would run along the north side of Severn Street, from the train station to the bridge over the canal. The project would see the existing path widened to become a shared use path for cyclists and pedestrians, and improvements made to the surface and drainage, enhancing safety for all users - but particularly for families and pupils going to and from Ysgol Gymraeg y Trallwng, the new Welsh medium primary school, and commuters using the train station. As part of the design work, consideration is also being given to the road crossings.

"Welsh Government have made it clear that walking and cycling must be the natural mode of choice for short everyday journeys, or as part of a longer journey in combination with other sustainable modes, and the continued investment into practical active travel routes within Powys will help us achieve this vision." Says Cllr Jackie Charlton, Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys.

"Not only do these routes improve road, pedestrian and cyclist safety, they also provide us with the opportunity to increase our health and wellbeing by being more active, as well as contributing to reducing emissions and combating the current climate emergency by enabling us to prioritise walking and cycling, rather than using the car, for short, local journeys."

Local councillor and Cabinet Member for a Safer Powys, Cllr Richard Church is encouraged by all the planned improvements to the area. "There's lots happening around Severn Street which will bring more people to the area. The new Extra Care home at Neuadd Maldwyn, the new Welsh medium school and work to improve the library and the museum by the canal. These improvements, along with the development of the active travel provision, will make it a safe route for young and old people alike, by linking these new facilities to both the town centre and the railway station."

Once design work has been completed a funding application will be submitted to Welsh Government (Active Travel fund) and if successful, work to begin the construction phase would begin soon after.

All designs and updates will be made available online.