Cardiff, the Ely River connection
The outstanding Pont-y-Werin Bridge (The People's Bridge) was officially opened in Cardiff on 14th July 2010, by the Deputy First Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones. This Sustrans' Connect2 project has given residents of Cardiff the opportunity to take a leisurely cycle ride or stroll around the Bay and encourages easy cycling between the two urban centres for work, study, shopping and leisure. It is now possible for those living in the Sports Village to reach Cogan railway station by foot, and see the two Portrait benches, with six local characters on the way!
The new bridge crosses the River Ely between Penarth and the International Sports Village at Cardiff Bay and completes a circuit around Cardiff Bay. Alongside the Cardiff Bay Barrage, it will forms a circular Route 888 of the National Cycle Network, and links into Route 8 (the Taff Trail) and the Ely Trail on the Cardiff side. On the Vale side, work is already underway to provide a network of links into Penarth town centre and residential areas, as well as to Llandough and the hospital.
Cardiff Portrait Benches
The Portrait Bench is a simple bench with three life-size effigies of local heroes, chosen by the local community to represent their culture and history. The Cardiff benches are part of a series of benches commissioned by Sustrans, creating a major new collection of public art across the UK.
Cardiff's characters are:
- Tim Burns - 10 year-old Tim won his place on the bench after entering a drawing competition held at his school, Cogan Primary, which asked pupils how they would use Pont y Werin.
- Dame Tanni Grey Thompson - a renowned Paralympic athlete with a host of gold medals to her name was a former pupil of St Cyres Comprehensive School in Penarth.
- Nicole Cooke - brought up in Wick in the western part of the Vale and has become one of the most well-known cyclists in the world including being the first woman to become the road race World Champion and Olympic gold medallist in the same year.
- Jason Stone - has played for ice hockey team, the Cardiff Devils for over 20 years.
- Sybil Williams - the founder member of Pedal Power, an organisation which aims to make cycling accessible to all.
- Lydia Harris - competition winner, won a place on the Portrait Bench after entering a special Pont y Werin drawing competition. Children from Mount Stuart Primary in Butetown, which is the closest Cardiff school to the bridge, were asked to draw a picture of themselves using Pont y Werin. Watch out for news on the Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan council websites for details of a celebration ride around Cardiff Bay in September.
Find out more about the Sustrans Portrait Bench public art collection.
Find the bench location with our online mapping:
Pont y Werin bench
Vale of Glamorgan bench
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