News - North & Mid
GOGLEDD CYMRU / NORTH WALES area covering Anglesey/Ynys Môn, Gwynedd, Conwy, Denbighshire/Sir Ddinbych, Flintshire/Sir Y Flint, Wrexham/Wrecsam, Ceredigion & Powys (excluding Breacon Beacons)
Route Closures and Diversions General News
Route closures and diversions
Lôn Cambria
Please be aware that the route alignment shown on the map near Newtown has changed between Mile 71 & 73.
The traffic free section at Llanllwchaiarn has been extended to Aberbechan, following the disused canal and then the Montgomery Canal. At Aberbechan the route joins the B4389 towards Bettws Cedewain (see further news below).
North Wales Coast Path
Between Conwy town and Llanfairfechan National Route 5 has been dismantled due to its popularity! The good news is that we are getting closer to the route being reinstated.
It is now possible to travel between Llanfairfechan and Penmaenmawr using the new bridges on either side of the Pen-y-Clip headland (see further news below). You can also travel between Penmaenmawr and Conwy using a local route - but take care!
Lôn Las Cymru
The numbering of the National Cycle Network (NCN) in Wales is changing due to the number of new routes that are being constructed and added to the network. The former Route 8 between Trawsfynydd/Dolgellau/Tywyn and Machynlleth will now be known as Route 82. This will correct inconsistencies that existed due to braiding and splitting of the former NCN Route 8. NCN Route 8 from Porthmadog/Barmouth/Dolgellau/Corris/Machynlleth will remain unchanged.
Former NCN Route 85 (Lôn Las Ogwen) will also be renumbered and will become Route 82.
The re-signing is due to be completed by Autumn 2009 so please bear with us during these changes.
News
Sir Y Flint/Flintshire
Sustrans and Flintshire County Council, with additional financial support from the Sports Council for Wales, have produced a new leaflet highlighting the cycle routes in the country. The leaflet includes Route 5 between Flint and Chester and Regional Route 89 along the north bank of the River Dee, as well as a number of local routes in the area. The leaflet is now available from Sustrans and can be downloaded. Please see the Leaflets section on the related link list. It is also available from Flintshire County Council sites and local Tourist Information Centres.
A new section of the Dee Coastal Path has recently been opened between Station Road, Talacre and Shore Road at Gronant. Whilst currently providing a link to the National Cycle Network, this excellent 3.5 km route passes through the Presthaven Sands caravan park before heading off to Talacre on a new 3m wide shared surface with a section of boardwalk to the rear of the dunes near its eastern end.
Sir Ddinbych/Denbighshire
Following the success of the Connect2 Big Lottery Fund bid the design work is well under way for the Foryd Harbour bridge at Rhyl. This new bridge will connect the communities of Rhyl and Kinmel Bay where the only connection is via a grade two listed road bridge which cannot be altered to cater for pedestrians or cyclists. The solution is a new bridge over the River Clwyd between the West Parade Rhyl and Foryd Harbour in tandem with a major new marina development that will connect to the existing coastal path west of Rhyl. While providing a safe and sustainable route for everyday trips, it will also help to breathe new life into the local tourism economy.
Funding has been confirmed for the bridge from the Welsh Assembly Government and the detailed design work is underway. Further details are available from the Sustrans Connect2 website.
National route 84
Denbighshire County Council have recently completed a wonderful section of route alongside the east bank of the River Clwyd between Rhyl and Rhuddlan. Linking the existing paths around the Glan Morfa area of south Rhyl, this route provides a link to Rhyl College and the Brickfields Pond Nature Reserve, before heading south along the floodbanks of the river Clwyd to reach Rhuddlan just below its magnificent castle. The route joins the existing facility alongside the A525 and continues south to the city of St. Asaph. At St. Asaph the route follows the River Elwy on a new section of path before crossing the river on a new bridge to reach the lower part of this historical city.
Local routes
Denbighshire County Council have upgraded an existing route between Rhuddlan and Bodelwyddan to modern standards as well as provided a new crossing facility at the A525 near Rhuddlan. The council have also provided a new traffic free path alongside the A5151 between Rhuddlan and Dyserth to further expand the network in the north Denbighshire area.
Conwy
The next stage of the Conwy Estuary Trail (formerly the Conwy Estuary Strategic Cycle Route) is about to be completed linking Conwy Cob to the RSPB reserve. This link over the North Wales coast railway line will allow walkers, cyclists, wheelchair users and pushchairs to access the reserve without the need of a motor vehicle. Improvement works have also taken place on Conwy Cob to improve the surface for all users. New information boards and signs have also been erected along the trail.
The new bridges on either side of the Pen Y Clip headland, linking Penmaenmawr and Llanfairfechan, were opened by Deputy First Minister and Transport Minister, Ieaun Wynne Jones, in early July. The £2million bridges link the communities to the old Telford Road that runs over the top of the headland and provides glorious views of Ynys Môn (Anglesey), the north Wales coast and the Great Orme. Whilst providing a vital traffic free link for the local communities the headland will become a destination in itself and is already proving to be very popular. Further details and pictures are available on the Cycling North Wales website.
Gwynedd
The traffic free path between Penmorfa and Tremadog has been opened now that the new hosiptal is complete. This link takes users away from the busy A487 trunk road and is a vital part of Lôn Las Cymru.
Gwynedd Council recently upgraded the western end of Lôn Las Menai using funding provided by the Welsh Assembly Government and supported by the North Wales Trunk Road Agency. 3km of the path was re-surfaced and two wooden bridges were repaired on this route, along with new signage and access controls, which provides locals and tourists with the quickest route in and out of Caernarfon.
Local route
The first section of Lon Adda has been completed in the Western area of Bangor. This new shared path provides the communities of Coes Mawr and Glan Adda with an improved link that runs along the back of the busy Caernarfon Road. Further work is planned to enhance the environmental quality of the route with further sections of Lôn Adda, to the north of the city centre, currently on the drawing board.
Local route
Improvements to the northern end of Lôn Las Peris (north of Llanberis) have upgraded the crossing of the A4086 and provided an extension of the route to Brynrefail and Cym-y-Glo.
Ynys Môn/Anglesey
Local route
Lôn Las Cefni has been completed and provides a stunning 20km walking and cycling path across the centre of the island. The route links Llyn Cefni to Llangefni and then follows the line of the River Cefni across Malltraeth Marsh to Malltraeth and Newborough Forest. The route links up National Cycle Route 5 and 8 and a new leaflet has been produced to highlight the route - available from Sustrans or Menter Môn on (01248) 725700.
Powys
Sustrans has recently constructed a new section of Lôn Cambria (NCR 81) alongside the line of the Montgomery Canal at Newtown. The new path links the existing route at Llanllwchaiarn to Aberbechan and provides a traffic free route into the centre of Newtown. Supported by Powys County Council, British Waterways, Severn Trent Water, Countryside Council for Wales and the Sports Council for Wales the partnership intends to continue to develop a traffic free path to the village of Abermule over the coming years.
Local route
A new shared use path has been constructed at Forden to link both ends of the community. Funding was provided by WAG, thorugh the Safe Routes in the Communities Funds and the 2km path is already proving popular with locals as well as visitors as part of the route is used by the Offa's Dyke National Trail.