Active Travel Nelson

Your local knowledge is needed to make walking, cycling, and wheeling easier for everyone in your community.

As part of the delivery of the Council’s approved Active Travel Network Map (ATNM), this project is looking at how a selection of Active Travel routes in Nelson could be developed and delivered for pedestrians and cyclists, in line with Welsh Government policy that encourages walking and cycling* as a preferred travel mode for journeys within short distances.

*Please note that when we use the term ‘pedestrian’ or ‘walk’ we are referring not only to those who travel by foot, but also users of wheelchairs and other mobility aids.

The main routes that are proposed primarily address INMC routes 181 and 15 from the ATNM. The main routes are:

• Along Crossfield Road and High Street, connecting from the A472 Mafon Road roundabout to Bwl Road via Llanfabon School.
• Along Shingrig Road and Llwyn-yr-Eos, then through Maes Mabon Estate, connecting from the Commercial Street / High Street junction to Bwl Road.

Additional minor connections are proposed to facilitate movement between these two main routes. These are:

• Bwl Road from High Street to the pedestrian footpath access into Maes Mabon Estate.
• Ynys Las from High Street into the Maes Mabon estate.
• High Street and Primrose Close from Bryncelyn to Llwyn-yr-Eos, passing next to St John the Baptist Church.

Aim of this consultation

Following the public consultation, further Scheme refinement and stakeholder engagement has been undertaken. This second engagement period provides an opportunity for the public to review the final design and submit minor suggestions/amendments for consideration.

An outline of the main design changes since the previous public consultation is included within the supporting information.

Figure 1 provides a simplified overview of the scheme links and the names given to them.

Figure 1

Why we are consulting

To involve local communities, stakeholders, current and potential active travel users. This ensures that local user needs and knowledge is captured when developing the design proposals.

Ways to give your views

To comment on the proposals, please complete the online survey. You may also print a copy of the survey for completion.

A copy of the plans and survey are available at Nelson library and any completed paper surveys may be returned to your library or in the post to: Caerphilly County Borough Council, Infrastructure Division (Engineering Admin), Ty Penallta, Tredomen Park, Ystrad Mynach, Hengoed. CF82 7PG.

Expected results/outcomes

The outcomes of the consultation will be available within 3 weeks of the last date of the consultation. Feedback will be considered to further develop the detailed designs.

What is active travel?

Active travel means displacing car journeys with walking, wheelchair use and cycling for practical, everyday journeys such as shopping, commuting, and accessing services like health and education. Active travel can help reduce carbon emissions and pollution by reducing car use and can also help financially by reducing car dependency for shorter journeys.

All local councils in Wales have a duty to create maps showing their existing and proposed active travel routes. Routes only count as active travel routes if they meet certain minimum standards for safety, directness, and other criteria to ensure that high quality is aspired to and maintained.