Anger at program to make Swansea bridge 1 way with targeted traffic lights

A two-way highway bridge near Pontarddulais will turn out to be one file to accommodate a pavement, prompting anger from numerous folks in the area.

Swansea Council has arrangement from Community Rail, which is strengthening the Pentre Highway bridge – just south of the M4 – to set up a pavement to enable pedestrians who presently have to stroll on to the highway to cross it.

The modify will final result in site visitors lights remaining place either facet of the bridge.

Individuals dwelling in the place only observed out about it when Gower MS Rebecca Evans posted images and an update on Facebook very last Thursday, in accordance to Pontarddulais councillor Kevin Griffiths.

Cllr Griffiths stated pedestrians had crossed the bridge cautiously for several years, and that there had been converse of a independent bridge for walkers and cyclists managing along with the present one particular.

Referring to the new plan, he stated: “It truly is improved than practically nothing (for pedestrians) but it really is likely to lead to so much disruption. I imagine it should really have absent out to consultation at the very least.”

Uncover out about targeted visitors and journey difficulties where you dwell:

Oystermouth councillor Myles Langstone, who is the Conservative candidate for Gower at this year’s Senedd elections, also stated people in the spot should really have a say.

He has commenced a petition calling on the council to rethink.

Cllr Langstone felt a independent bridge for walkers and cyclists along with was the very best resolution.

“Clearly, the proposal for Pentre Highway Bridge would be a traffic nightmare and wants an urgent rethink,” he reported.

In her Fb publish, Ms Evans explained the new pavement would be a strolling and cycling route, but the council said it was just for pedestrians.

But the new scheme could aid the council safe upcoming funding for a cycle route among Pontarddulais and Grovesend, which would make use of the pavement.

Cllr Mark Thomas, cabinet member for natural environment enhancement and infrastructure administration, claimed folks had requested the council to make the bridge a safer alternative for pedestrians, and that speed surveys showed vehicles travelling at properly above 30mph throughout it.

He claimed: “Possibilities this sort of as developing a new individual footbridge have been discussed but expenses for this have built this possibility unfeasible.”

He included: “Surveys of present-day website traffic flows have also shown that the introduction of site visitors lights at the bridge would have very little or no impact on website traffic flows in either direction.”

© Community Rail
A facet-on check out of the bridge

A portion of Pentre Highway was shut in between Pontarddulais and Gorseinon very last November for 6 months for the Network Rail bridge task. Motorists are employing a Pontlliw and Penllergaer diversion rather.

Many inhabitants expressed anger about the new pavement and targeted traffic lights in response to Ms Evans’ Fb publish.

Ian Davies wrote: “The common consensus is that this is a terrible idea. It will generate lengthy targeted traffic queues at fast paced instances, and will just annoy 1000’s of motorists.

“A independent cycle-going for walks lane demands to be hung off just one facet of the bridge, negating the will need to utilise one of the existing targeted traffic lanes.”

Rachel Keatley wrote: “Terrible idea. This will trigger chaos. For the amount of money of the time this has been shut there should really be at the very least a wider road/pavement permitting obtain for all.”

Two times later Ms Evans wrote on Facebook that she’d requested a meeting with Cllr Thomas to discuss people’s problems, but additional that there had been potent assistance for striving to discover a safe and sound way of crossing the railway line for pedestrians and cyclists when Community Rail wrote to house owners in a three-mile radius of the bridge before its challenge got underneath way.

Many persons then claimed they hadn’t obtained the Network Rail letter.

But an additional, Thomas Evans, voiced his support for the new pavement plan, saying there wasn’t space for a pedestrian or bike owner when two automobiles even larger than a car or truck crossed the bridge at the similar time.

He wrote: “Certainly, that does not occur typically, but it does take place and if it will save somebody acquiring damage then undoubtedly it can be really worth it.”