SOME of Swansea’s most picturesque off-road walking and cycling routes are set for a boost, thanks to the council.
Swansea boasts more than 120km of walking and cycling routes, many of them in rural, wooded areas away from busy roads and perfect for a family day out for residents and visitors alike.
Now the council is planning to spend around £60,000 for new equipment that will help keep some of the paths free from overgrowth, particularly during the summer months.
Cyril Anderson, Cabinet Member for Community Services said the purchase of a small tractor and foliage removal equipment was in response to requests urging the council to act on overgrowth on some areas active travel routes.
He said: “We’ve been listening to what people tell us about their experience of using our off-road active travel walking and cycling routes and one thing they have asked for for is action to prevent bottlenecks due to fast-growing foliage overhanging pathways.
“This new equipment will help reduce that problem and keep our network clearer for the growing numbers of people who are using them.”
Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure added: “Our active travel routes have become increasingly popular, especially since the pandemic when people started re-discovering the pleasures of getting out in the fresh air with walking and cycling.
“Active travel is part of our continuing commitment to support well-being, tackle the cost of living crisis and encourage people to get out of their cars for short journeys and take an entirely different look at the world around them.”
Most Swansea residents live within than a few minutes’ walk or bike ride from their local dedicated walking or cycling route, many of which connect them with neighbouring communities, rural areas and the city centre.
The expanding network is paid for entirely by Welsh Government grants which can only be spent on active travel routes. Earlier this year the council secured another £1.4m from the Welsh Government to help fund designs for five new routes including Penllergaer Woods to Tircoed Village, Penclawdd to Gowerton and Newton to Mumbles.
