Active Travel Route - Caerphilly Town Scheme 13 - Lewis Drive and routes to/from Energlyn & Churchill Park Railway Station

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), CCBC have developed this project to improve Active Travel routes in and around Lewis Drive and Energlyn & Churchill Park Railway Station. This project, referred to as ‘Scheme 13’, forms part of our plans to deliver the ATNM. The routes lead to/from Energlyn & Churchill Park Railway Station. They also connect key employment and residential areas The project will make walking, wheeling, and cycling for everyday journeys easier and safer for all. This project is looking at how a selection of Active Travel routes 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.

Walking, wheeling, and cycling routes:

• Route 1: The junction between Brynhyfryd, Llwyn On St and Court Road. We want to make it easier for people to walk and cycle to/from Energlyn & Churchill Park Railway Station. We also propose improvements along Llwyn On Street leading towards the railway station. (This route is identified on the ATNM as INMC 55).
• Route 2: A route from Pontygwindy Road, along the Asda service road and onto Lewis Drive. The route ends at Energlyn & Churchill Park Station. We want to improve access from wider afield within Caerphilly to the rail station. This route would also improve access to areas of Pontygwindy Industrial Estate. (This route is identified on the ATNM as INMC 57).
• Route 3: A route leading north from Lewis Drive along internal industrial estate access road. The route would link into the path running along the A469. Improvements to the western arm of Pwllypant Roundabout are being considered. (This route is identified on the ATNM as INMC 59, INMC 87, INMC 69a and INMC 69b).
• Route 4: A route located along Central Street, connecting to Heol Pwllypant and Pwllypant Roundabout. (This route is identified on the ATNM as part of INMC 87).

The following routes provide walking and wheeling improvements only:

• Route 5: A footway running north-south which connects Lewis Drive (footway to Asda) and Lewis Drive (Emlyn Drive). (This route is identified on the ATNM as INMC 58).
• Route 6: A route leading south from Energlyn & Churchill Park Railway Station along Lewis Drive. The route passes Plas-y-Felin Primary School. The route continues along Caenant Road, terminating at the junction with Mill Road. (This route also forms part of INMC 58).
• Route 7: A route leading east from Energlyn & Churchill Park Station, connecting with INMC 58. (This route is identified on the ATNM as INMC 360).

The ATNM for CCBC is available to view here: View map | DataMapWales (gov.wales)

Aim of this consultation

Through this public consultation, CCBC wish to hear your views on what existing issues, or barriers to active travel, are present along the routes outlined above. We are also seeking your views on initial proposals which have been developed for these routes to improve Active Travel.

We would like to draw your attention to the fact that two separate layouts have been developed for Route 3 (Sir Alfred Owen Way). We wish to hear your views on which of these design options you may favour.

We wish to stress that these initial proposals have been developed at an early stage, and feedback from this public consultation will help shape the developing scheme.

Each route outlined above is linked to a survey, where you can tell us what you like and do not like about each initial proposal. You can let us know if there is anything we have missed, or if there are any particular features you would like to see developed further.

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

This consultation will take place between 9am on 4 October and 11.59pm on 25 October 2024. Please provide your responses to this consultation by 11.59pm on 25 October 2024. Any responses received after this time may not be considered

To comment on the proposals, please complete the online survey here. You may also print a copy of the survey for completion. There is a QR Code available for easy access to the online platform.

A copy of the plans and survey are available at Caerphilly 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 three 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.