Walking and cycling improvements in the Clyne Valley, Swansea
About
In Swansea, the route between Gowerton and Blackpill known as the Clyne Valley Path is the second most used active travel route. The route between Gowerton and Blackpill needed improvement as it was narrow and had poor surface quality. The route forms part of the National Cycle Network (NCN). It serves local and leisure travel between Gowerton, Dunvant, Killay and Blackpill. It also facilitates longer distanced journeys to and from Carmarthenshire. Additionally, it provides onward connections to Mumbles and Swansea city centre, including access to Swansea’s bus and railway stations.
A £685,000 investment from the Welsh Government’s Active Travel Fund was used by Swansea Council to upgrade the existing 2.9 km section of the path between Blackpill and Killay. Swansea Council resurfaced and widened the path to over 3.5 metres, improving safety and capacity for both cyclists and pedestrians.
Aims
The aims of the scheme were:
- To resurface and widen 2.9km of the shared-use path between Blackpill and Killay (at The Railway Inn) from 2.5 metres to at least 3.5 metres.
- Remove barriers which were causing congestion at Blackpill where the route crosses the dual carriageway A4067.
- To increase the capacity of the route.
- To improve the attractiveness and users’ comfort.
- To reduce congestion along the route and reduce the risk of conflict between users.
- To install seating at locations along the route to provide rest points for users.
- Join the route up with the recently completed Olchfa Links route.
Note: ‘Conflict between users’ refers to conflicting uses of shared spaces. For example, people who walk, wheel or cycle competing for space on a shared-use path.
Description
In 2021, Swansea Council used the Commonplace platform to gather public feedback on active travel concerns across the Swansea area, inviting suggestions for potential improvements. Among the responses, issues regarding the A4067 crossing at Blackpill were highlighted.
Users had to pass in single file, causing pinch points and necessitating cyclists to regularly slow down to pass other users. This section of route was not compliant with Active Travel Design Guidance.
In 2023, the Clyne Valley NCN 4 route towards Mumbles promenade received over 5,000 pedestrians and cyclists weekly. The route is expected to see increased demand with the delivery of Derwen Fawr to Killay link as a minor works scheme in 2025/26.
The council built feeder links from Killay and Sketty to further expand the number of communities directly connected to this route. Swansea Council aim to widen the 4.5km path from Killay to Gowerton in future years, as funding allows.
Lessons learnt
Early and consistent collaboration with Transport for Wales and the Welsh Government was essential to ensure a coordinated effort in delivering the project. This cooperation helped ensure that funding was effectively used to implement the scheme.
Cost
£685,000.
Outputs
Proposed outcomes of the scheme:
- An increase in the number of active travel trips along the Clyne Valley and Mumbles Promenade commuter routes. This will be measured by route user surveys, pedestrian and cycle counts.
- Increased access to the path from the nearby Olchfa Links route.
- Support the aspirations of local, regional, and national policy by enabling use of active modes to contribute towards health, well-being, and net-zero Wales aspirations. This will be measured by pedestrian and cycle counts.
- Reducing likelihood of congestion by removing two barriers at the Blackpill crossing. This will be measured by user surveys.
- Improve perceptions of safety, attractiveness and comfort of those using the Clyne Valley Path. This will be measured by user surveys.
Note: Permanent active travel count locations are in place to monitor changes in pedestrian and cycle journeys along this route. The case study will be updated once the 2024/25 data is received.
Before
After
