Council seeks views on proposed Neath to Cimla walking, cycling and wheeling route

The proposed scheme is part of the council’s ongoing commitment to promoting sustainable and accessible transport options which help improve the health and wellbeing of residents, create safer communities, reduce congestion and improve the environment.

Active Travel, which aims to give as many people as possible the ability to choose an alternative to motorised travel, is defined as walking, cycling and wheeling for everyday purposeful short-distance journeys, not including journeys purely for recreation or social reasons.

The council is proposing enhancements to pedestrian, cycling, and wheeling infrastructure between Neath and Cimla to facilitate easier commuting to work, school, shops or services.

The plans include widening paths for shared use and introducing raised plateaus at junctions to aid crossing for those with reduced mobility.  There are also proposals to create new sections of shared-use paths.

Implementation of the proposed measures will be subject to grant funding from the Welsh Government.  It is important to note that Active Travel funding can only be used by the council for improvements to walking, cycling and wheeling projects and cannot be used for any other purposes.

 Cllr Wyndham Griffiths, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Transport and Connectivity, said: “I’d encourage people to have their say, so we can take into account residents’ views on these plans to use more active modes of transport in this part of Neath Port Talbot.”

Neath Port Talbot Council encourages residents to share their views on the proposal by 28th October 2024. Consultation begins on 23/09/25.

The council will also be holding a face-to-face engagement event on the October 10th . 2024 in the Clive Roberts Hall (Cimla Scout Hut), SA11 3PF between 2-7pm where officers will be able to talk residents through the proposals. The feedback will play a crucial role in shaping the future of active travel infrastructure in the Neath Port Talbot community.

For more information and to view plans of proposed improvements visit www.npt.gov.uk/activetravel

Residents interested in viewing physical copies of the plans can do so at Neath Library.