Dear Supporters,
We were hoping to share some positive news on the progress of the #missinglink as we near the end of 2024. Since our last update there was some possibility to share progress from the topography survey and a possible notice of a public consultation, both of which were communicated by the local authority. However, a recent and somewhat pessimistic message from Swansea LA concerning future progress of active travel projects leaves us somewhat downbeat.
The recent correspondence from Swansea Local Authority (October 2024): -
“…. the Welsh Government have recently announced changes to Active Travel funding, reducing the number of new schemes we can bid to build next financial year to one, and also reducing the number of schemes we can develop for future years. We will be reviewing our current schemes over the next two months, after which we will be in a better position to know how this scheme will progress in the immediate future.”
We expected many hurdles throughout our campaign to improve the #missinglink between Penclawdd and Gowerton, with our foremost belief of highlighting much local support that makes it an ‘non-negotiable’ for Swansea LA to relent on following through with this project. We ask that you share our update to encourage vital new supporters to our petition page on ‘change.org’.
I can’t think of a more recent opportunity to improve active travel infrastructure in our area, where construction works in nearby Pont-y-Cob and Garden Village resulting in increased vehicle travel times through Gowerton and beyond. I do wonder how many shorter journeys could been taken by active travel means, if the infrastructure was conducive, and thus help reduce the growing vehicle congestion that the Gowerton seems to wrestle with.
As someone who has professional interest in health promotion, active travel could benefit increasing rates of physical activity in young and older people that is at alarmingly low rates. A recent national school survey reporting only a quarter of 11-year-olds and only 13% of 16-year-olds meeting the recommended 60 minutes per day of physical activity (1). Having a conducive and safer infrastructure could help grow the reported 35% young people choosing to walk or cycle to school, thus encouraging greater physical activity (2). Similarly, there is strong evidence that access to safer ‘bike lanes’ would be an effective intervention to support greater physical activity uptake for children and adolescents and maybe help reduce growing trend of weight related outcomes (3). This is of particular concern in Swansea where it has been reported that around a third of children aged four and five are overweight or obese, which has obvious health risks and may continue throughout life (4).
I guess the accessibility and the close proximity to amenities and services is what makes both Penclawdd and Gowerton such an attractive place to live? However, many of our pavements are narrow, uneven and overgrown which can act as a barrier and are just not conducive to safe walking for many people in our community. Just think of that short walk to the shops or surgery, which may sound an insignificant physical activity for some, but for many it could have far reaching benefits both physically and mentally particularly for elderly people (5).
In conclusion, we appreciate your continued support and again ask that you help spread the word about our campaign and encourage family and friends to show their support by signing our petition on the following link https://www.change.org/CorrectMissingLinkBetweenGowertonaAndPenclawdd
(3) Pan, X. et al. (2021) ‘Access to bike lanes and childhood obesity: A systematic review and meta‐analysis’, Obesity reviews, 22(S1), pp. e13042-n/a.
(5) Van Cauwenberg, J. et al. (2018) ‘Relationships Between Neighbourhood Physical Environmental Attributes and Older Adults’ Leisure-Time Physical Activity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis’, Sports medicine (Auckland), 48(7), pp. 1635–1660.