Swansea Council has admitted that a new shared-use cycle and pedestrian path may not officially open for another two months – despite describing it as “largely complete” – as locked gates blocking access to the route have forced frustrated local cyclists to use a “very busy” stretch of road with a narrow tunnel instead.

After receiving complaints from residents that the path, which provides an off-road link to a railway station, remains inaccessible and unusable from the station’s entrance, the local authority admitted that the route will possibly remain unopen to the public until August, thanks to difficulties securing specialist Network Rail-approved contractors to install CCTV and lighting.

The three metre-wide shared-use path, linking Fairwood Terrace in Gowerton, four miles northwest of Swansea city centre, to the village’s railway station forms the first phase of a larger active travel scheme designed to link Gowerton to nearby Loughor for cyclists and pedestrians, while “boosting accessibility for rail users travelling via sustainable transport”.

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Unlike some active travel projects we’ve reported on the over the years, the shared-use path has generally been welcomed by locals, who have taken to social media to announce that they “can’t wait” for the cycle-friendly “faster route to shops and schools for local people”.

However, its execution has left quite a lot to be desired, with cyclists and residents growing increasingly impatient with the ongoing delays, caused – despite the scheme’s ambition to boost accessibility for rail users – by issues related to its proximity to the railway.

According to Swansea Council, the installation of CCTV cameras and lighting along the path, deemed essential by the local authority, has been held up because the works require the co-operation of Network Rail, which owns and manages the station and its surrounding rail infrastructure.

Therefore, specialist Network Rail-approved contractors are needed to carry out these final installations, a process Swansea Council admits may not be completed until the end of the summer, Nation-Cymru reports.

This delay – which means the path remains closed from the station end thanks to a locked gate – has led one cyclist to formally complain to the council, pointing out that the current alternative route for people on bikes is “unsafe” and “inconvenient” for many.

Victoria Road, Gowerton
Victoria Road, Gowerton (Image Credit: Google Maps)

At the moment, cyclists hoping to access the station must do so by riding along the “very busy” Victoria Road, including under a narrow railway tunnel, before eventually turning left to enter the station at its western entrance a few hundred metres away – a longer route the cyclist says can feel intimidating for those less confident cycling among traffic.

“The tarmac is finished and set. People keep asking why the extension hasn’t opened yet and what’s the point of the locked gate. It’s a link that could really change things for a lot of people here – we’re just waiting for it now,” the cyclist, who wishes to remain anonymous, told the council by email.

Responding to the cyclist, the council said it is currently working closely with Network Rail to ensure the path will open to the public as quickly as possible.

“While the completion of walking and cycle routes on council land are usually straightforward, the development of similar infrastructure within a live railway environment requires additional permissions from Network Rail, as well as sourcing specialist railway contractors to complete specific works,” council spokesperson.

“These factors have contributed to delays in the completion of the scheme. We are aiming to complete the remaining works before the end of summer, which includes the installation of path lighting and CCTV. Once completed, we are confident that residents will see a huge benefit in terms of public access to and from the station.”

Gowerton Station bike path
Gowerton Station bike path (Image Credit: Glynis Davies)

In another email sent to Independent councillor Susan Jones, who also complained about the delays, the local authority admitted it has proved “difficult” to secure the specialist contractors required for the job.

“The construction of the Gowerton Rail active travel link is now largely complete,” the council told Jones. “However, before it can open to the public, CCTV equipment and path lighting must be installed, by specialist Network Rail-approved contractors.

“It has been difficult to secure the availability of such specialist contractors, and we are now expecting the remaining works to be finished in August, however we continue to chase getting this path open sooner.

“For your information, whilst there are gates on the path at the northern side of the station, these will remain open unless there are specific reasons to restrict access to the train station, such as for planned maintenance works. During this period advisory signs will placed to warn users of any closures. The presence of these gates is a requirement of Network Rail.

“We apologise for the delays in completing this scheme, however we are pushing to get this link open to the public as soon as possible.”

Network Rail, meanwhile, declined to comment or offer any details about when the scheme might be completed.