Pressure for bridge work

Jan 24 2008 by Peter Collins, South Wales Echo

PRESSURE is mounting for an urgent start to work on a vital cycle and footpath link between Penarth and Cardiff Bay.

The planned Pont-y-Werin Bridge over the River Ely will complete a 6.5-mile circuit around Cardiff Way. It would be used as a leisure and commuter route.

The £3.5m bridge scheme won £1.15m of Big Lottery cash as part of the successful Connect2 bid by Sustrans.

Now demands have been made for the Welsh Assembly Government to put in the rest of the money so work on the scheme can proceed.

Plaid Cymru councillor Chris Williams, the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s cabinet member for planning and transportation, said some of the money the Welsh Assembly Government had set aside for the doomed Penarth Headland Link Scheme should now be used to build the Pont-y-Werin Bridge.

Coun Williams said: “There is a need for greater co-operation between the Vale council, the Welsh Assembly Government and Cardiff council on this project.

“Time is of the essence.”