Active Travel Schemes and Safe Routes in Communities Projects

These are the current Active Travel and Safe Routes in Communities (SRiC) schemes being developed by the Council.

Active Travel funding comes from Welsh Government in the form of a dedicated grant, known as core allocation, and larger grants for specific projects which local authorities must bid for in a competitive process.

In addition the Council receives sustainable transport Section 106 financial contributions, when new developments are constructed, which is used to improve active travel and public transport services in a localised area.

Active Travel is about connecting people with their communities. We want people to be proud of where they are from and feel safe walking or cycling around their local neighbourhoods. It's also about looking after our environment. Active Travel is an easy way to build exercise into your day, which will help your mental and physical health.

We want to make active travel options the first choice for the residents of the Vale of Glamorgan.

Current projects:

Barry to Dinas Powys Active Travel Route
Welsh Government Active Travel Core Allocation funding is being used to continue the development of a walking/cycling link between Barry and Dinas Powys.

Route consultation was undertaken in 2022 and the consultation report is available.

Public consultation was held on the final route design in June 2024. The consultation report, and recommendations, can be viewed here: Consultation Report June 2024

Work planned during FY24-25 will include discussions with land owners, Natural Resources Wales and the Council's planning department.

Plans of proposed AT route that was subject to public consultation in June 2024:

Overview - plan of whole route

Sheet 1 - Barry to Green Lane

Sheet 2 - Green Lane/Parc Bryn y Don to Heol y Frenhines

Sheet 3 - Heol y Frenhines to St Cadoc's Avenue

PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION (OCTOBER 2024)

We are now at the stage where we are proposing to submit a full planning application for the establishment of an Active Travel Route (ATR) from Biglis to Dinas Powys. The full planning application will seek planning consent for the following:

‘The provision of an Active Travel Route, footbridge, landscaping and associated works from Biglis to Dinas Powys’.

Before formally submitting to the Local Planning Authority, we are required to undertake a period of statutory Pre-Application Consultation (PAC), in line with Part 1A of the Town & Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (Wales) Order 2016 (as amended). This provides the opportunity for Key Stakeholders and the local community to view the information made available and to make any comments in response to the draft proposals.

We have published all relevant drawings, reports, and additional supporting documents below for your inspection. Individuals wishing to provide feedback on this scheme should do so by November 2024. It is recommended to send your comments via email to chloe.jones@arcadis.com or by post to: Arcadis, Suite 4D, Hodge House, 114 – 116 St Mary Street, Cardiff, CF10 1DY.

If you are unable to access the documents electronically, you can request copies of this information by contacting Chloe Jones via email on chloe.jones@arcadis.com.

Application form;
- Suite of application plans and drawings;
  - Site Location Plan;
  - Existing Site Plan - page 1;
  - Existing Site Plan - page 2;
  - Existing Site Plan - page 3;
  - Proposed General Arrangement overview;
  - Proposed General Arrangement - sheet 1;
  - Proposed General Arrangement - sheet 2;
  - Proposed General Arrangement - sheet 3;
  - Proposed General Arrangement - sheet 4;
  - Proposed General Arrangement - sheet 5;
  - Proposed General Arrangement - sheet 6;
  - Proposed General Arrangement - sheet 7;
  - Proposed General Arrangement - sheet 8;
  - Proposed General Arrangement - sheet 9;
  - Cross Sections;
- Planning Statement;
- Design and Access Statement (DAS);
- Arboriculture Impact Assessment (AIA);
- Preliminary Ecological Appraisal;
- Ecology Surveys and Report;
- Geo-environmental / Ground Investigations;
- Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment/ Statement (LVIA);
- Cultural Heritage;
- Landscaping Plans;
- Flood Consequence Assessment;
- Agricultural Land Classification Note;
- Green Infrastructure Statement.
Waycock Cross to Cardiff Airport Active Travel Route (updated 13.8.24)

Welsh Government Active Travel Core Allocation funding is being used to complete the detailed design of a walking and cycling route from Waycock Cross to the Airport. By providing this route it will allow users to cycle/walk from Culverhouse Cross to Rhoose, and also from the A48 Sycamore Cross along the Five Mile Lane.

The work comprises a 1.7 mile footway/cycleway link.

Public consultation on this proposal was held between 11 October and 1st November 2022. The consultation report is availabe here: Active Travel consultation report

Work planned during FY24-25 will include discussions with land owners and the completion of detailed design ready for public consultation in December 2024.

Plans of proposed AT route that was subject to public consultation in October 2022:

Sheet 1 - Barry to Dragon Tail roundabout

Sheet 2 - Dragon Tail roundabout to Airport
Sully to Cosmeston Active Travel Improvement (updated 17.10.24)
Welsh Government Active Travel funding has been awarded to complete the detailed design of an improved active travel route connecting Sully to Cosmeston.

The work comprises a 1.6 miles footway/cycleway link from Sully to Cosmeston and associated works to include crossing facilities and junction improvements.

Public consultation was held on route options in March 2022.

Public consultation on the proposed route was held in April 2023.

A recommendation from the consultation in 2023 was to explore the disused railway line from Arlington Road to The Vineyard. This has been explored during FY23/24 and the decision has been taken not to progress this option. The improved walking, wheeling and cycling path will leave Sully along Lavernock Road and cross to the disused railway line at The Vineyard. This will then link to the existing path at Railway Walk.

Work planned during FY24-25 will include discussions with land owners, Natural Resources Wales and the Council's planning department.

PRE-APPLICATION CONSULTATION (21 OCTOBER 2024)

We are now at the stage where we are proposing to submit a full planning application for the establishment of an Active Travel Route (ATR) from Sully to Cosmeston. The full planning application will seek planning consent for the following:

‘The provision of a shared pedestrian and cycle route (Active Travel Route) earthworks, landscaping and associated works from Sully to Cosmeston’.

Before formally submitting to the Local Planning Authority, we are required to undertake a period of statutory Pre-Application Consultation (PAC), in line with Part 1A of the Town & Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (Wales) Order 2016 (as amended). This provides the opportunity for Key Stakeholders and the local community to view the information made available and to make any comments in response to the draft proposals.

We have published all relevant drawings, reports, and additional supporting documents below for your inspection. Individuals wishing to provide feedback on this scheme should do so by 21 November 2024. It is recommended to send your comments via email to chloe.jones@arcadis.com or by post to: Arcadis, Suite 4D, Hodge House, 114 – 116 St Mary Street, Cardiff, CF10 1DY.

If you are unable to access the documents electronically, you can request copies of this information by contacting Chloe Jones via email on chloe.jones@arcadis.com.
Active Travel Improvements - East of Barry (updated 22.4.24)

Welsh Government Active Travel Funding has been awarded in FY24/25 to make improvements to several pedestrian routes identified on the Active Travel Network Map in the east of Barry - these link to schools and key destinations.

Public consultation was held in December 2023 on identified improvements.

During 2024 there will be an options and feasibility report considering cycle improvements to Coldbrook Road East. Public consultation will be launched in the summer of 2024.

Pedestrian improvements on Langlands Road and Dobbins Road started in May 2024.
School Street Closures (updated 22.4.24)

Safe Routes in Communities (SRiC) funding has been awarded to launch further timed school street closures in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Trial closures took place in October 2023 at Peterston Super Ely CiW Primary and at Oak Field/Ysgol Gwaun y Nant. The implementation of permanent closures is going to be explored during 2024.
Dinas Powys to Cardiff (updated 13.8.24)

A recommendation from the public consultation held on the Barry to Dinas Powys active travel route in June 2024, was that the Council needs to consider the connecting links.

Funding has been awarded in FY24/25 for the Council to commence work on feasibility and design of active travel connections from Dinas Powys to Cardiff.

It is expected that these will be available for public consultation late 2024.

Projects currently on hold:

Cardiff Road, Barry - Active Travel Improvement

Welsh Government Core Active Travel Funding in FY21/22 was granted to complete detailed design of a 1.7km shared off-road pedestrian cycle route along Cardiff Road, Barry. The scheme will link an existing active travel route on Ffordd y Mileniwm to a potential new active travel route from Biglis roundabout to Dinas Powys or to the existing route to Sully/Penarth. Linking these schemes together would provide a large section of a shared footway/cycleway from Barry Island to Cardiff.

A consultation on the proposed design was held in September 2021.
Llanmaes Road, Llantwit Major - Pedestrian and Cycle Improvements

Welsh Government Core Active Travel Funding was granted in 21/22 to complete the detailed design of a 1.1km shared off-road pedestrian cycle route along Llanmaes Road, Llantwit Major, linking Llantwit Major Interchange to Ffordd Bro Tathan.

The proposed active travel route would improve access to the town centre, interchange, St Illtyd Primary school, Llantwit Major Comprehensive, Ysgol Dewi Sant, Ysgol y Ddraig, Doctor Surgeries and the Leisure Centre.

A consultation on the proposed design was held between 25 August 2021 to 22 September 2021.
Cowbridge to Ystradowen Active Travel Route

Welsh Government Active Travel funding was received in September 2021 to look at active travel route options between Cowbridge and Ystradowen. Three potential routes were put out to public consultation during June and July 2022.

The consultation results were considered and it was recommended to complete the concept design of a route along the old railway line between Cowbridge and Ystradowen.

The consultation report can be found here: Active Travel route options consultation.

The public were asked for comments and suggestions for the area under Cowbridge bypass for consideration for S106 sustainable transport spend. The Council will conduct further consultation on this proposal as per the report recommendations: S106 Cowbridge report.
Cowbridge to Llantwit Major Active Travel Route

Additional Welsh Government Active Travel funding was received in September 2021 to look at active travel route options between Llantwit Major and Cowbridge.

This scheme is not continuing at this time.
Penarth Road to Llandough (Barons Court) Active Travel Route

Welsh Government Active Travel funding was received in September 2021 to look at active travel route options between Penarth Road and The Cogan Spur (Barons Court junction).

Consultation on the proposed route option took place 22 September 2022-13 October 2022 and the report is available: Active Travel scheme consultation report.
Redlands Road, Penarth Active Travel Improvements

Welsh Government Active Travel funding was received in September 2021 to look at active travel options along Redlands Road, Penarth.
A48 - Culverhouse Cross to St Nicholas Active Travel

Welsh Government Active Travel funding was received in September 2021 to look at active travel route options between Culverhouse Cross and the Five Mile Lane.

An active travel provision has been developed and we held public consultation on the concept during August 2022. The consultation results have been analysed and recommendations made: St Nicholas to Culverhouse Cross consultation report.
A48 to Llangan Active Travel

Welsh Government Active Travel funding was received in September 2021 to look at active travel improvements from the A48 to Llangan, to connect with the school and bus routes.

Route option consultation was held 2 March - 23 March 2022 and work will continue on the concept design in FY22/23.

Consultation report - Llangan route options April22.
A48 to Colwinston Active Travel

Welsh Government Active Travel funding was received in September 2021 to look at active travel improvements from the A48 to Colwinston, to connect with the school and bus routes.

Consultation was held early in 2022 and a concept design of the chosen route will be completed in FY22/23.

Consultation report - route options FINAL.

Completed projects:

Safe Routes in Communities - Fairfield Primary School school street closure (completed May 2023)

For many years there were issues with congestion and parking on Dryden Road and the surrounding streets. These presented an obstacle for residents, parents, pupils and the school.

In September 2020 Sustrans Cymru were asked to work with the school and residents to deliver a Community Street Design for the area. The aim of the project was to encourage and facilitate active travel to school by combining infrastructure and behaviour change to create a safer environment.

Consultation on the proposed improvements took place in October 2021 and funding was awarded in FY22/23 through the Welsh Government SRiC fund to make the infrastructure changes that allowed us to launch the Vale's first timed school street closure.
Eglwys Brewis Active Travel Route (updated 22.4.24)

Welsh Government Active Travel funding was awarded in April 2023 to complete a segreated footway/cycleway through Eglwys Brewis, where there was no existing provision for cyclists through this area, and the pedestrian footways did not meet Welsh Government Active Travel design standards.
Station Road, Rhoose (completed March 2024)

Works on a S106/Active Travel scheme were completed along Porthkerry Road and Fontygary Road, Rhoose as far as Rhws Primary in 2023.

Active Travel Funding was awarded in FY23/24 to complete a shared cycleway/footway along Station Road, connecting Rhoose Point, via the transport interchange, to the village.
Wenvoe Active Travel Improvements
Funding was awarded in FY23/24 to complete the following:
- Installation of a toucan crossing at the Walston Castle roundabout connecting to the existing shared use footway/cycleway along Port Road.
- Make pedestrian improvements through Wenvoe village.
- Complete the concept design and feasibility study of the continuation of the shared use footway/cycleway along Port Road - the missing link from Walston Castle to Goldsland Walk.
St Athan Active Travel Shared Use Cycleway/Footway (completed March 2022)

Concerns had been raised about the highway environment in this area, specifically for pedestrians, and school pupils walking, scooting or cycling to school. In response the Council have made improvements to create a safer walking, cycling and wheeling environment.

Construction of a shared use footway/cycleway was completed in March 2022. This development led to further funding being granted to complete a missing section of footway in front of The Gathering Place, as well as the continuation of a cycleway/footway through Eglwys Brewis.
Cycle storage in schools and public locations - completed and ongoing

Welsh Government Active Travel Funding is used to provide cycle and scooter storage at schools and public locations across the Vale of Glamorgan.

Here are some photos of recent installations: