Bus shelters and cycleways benefit from transport fund

BUS shelters, footpaths and cycleways are benefiting from a near-£3m fund designed to boost highways and by-ways in Swansea.

The latest stage of the Morfa Relief Road is set to benefit from £1.4m of funding from Welsh Government and Swansea Council funding.

But cash is also being made available from the Local Transport Fund for upgraded cycle network routes as well as footpaths, bus shelters and other public transport facilities on Fabian Way.

Mark Thomas, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, said the total package of funding amounted to almost £2.9m and included match-funding of more than £900,000 from the council.

He said: “We all know how important Fabian Way is now and in the years ahead it’s going to be even more important because of the Swansea University second campus.

“That’s why the Welsh Government has agreed to proposals for a new shared cycle and footpath on the northside of Fabian Way, 10 new bus shelters offering real-time electronic passenger information to keep them updated.

“The new second campus opens this autumn and it will be a major boost to our local economy if we can take advantage of the opportunities it offers. Investment in our infrastructure like roads and public transport is an investment in our city’s economic well-being for years to come.”

Cabinet Members agreed a report highlighting the transport grant on offer which also included a further £1.4m for the latest section of the Morfa Distributor Road. Approximately £960,000 will be needed next year to complete the scheme.

Cycle network improvements agreed by Cabinet include funding for the restoration of the Bascule Bridge over the River Tawe near the Liberty Stadium in Landore as well as a 1.8km-long shared cycle and footpath between Pluck Pond Road and Jersey Road.

The route will follow the alignment of the former Swansea Vale railway line.