Woodland route plans shelved after backlash

PLANS to Tarmac a picturesque woodland route in Swansea have been shelved by council chiefs following a backlash.

- RICHARD YOULE

The bridleway at Clyne Valley Country Park, Swansea, which won't now be resurfaced with Tarmac.

(RICHARD YOULE)

The Labour-led council was due to start work upgrading the bridleway in Clyne Valley Country Park, Killay, but has now decided to scale back the scheme and use a more sympathetic type of surfacing.

Council leader Rob Stewart made the announcement at a cabinet meeting on January 9 and thanked everyone who had given feedback.

The 750m section of bridleway, known by many as Old Carriage Drive, links Clyne Valley Road with existing routes to the west. Like many paths it’s uneven and has poor drainage in places and the plan had been to use Welsh Government Active Travel money to make it more accessible for cyclists and people with pushchairs and wheelchairs.

It would have comprised a Tarmac surface, strengthened culverts, plus 1.5m-wide verges for horse riders running along the majority of it.

The Tarmac aspect proved unpopular with people who believed it wasn't needed and would ruin the bridleway's historic feel and setting.