A new shared-user path is being built as part of a £1.2m active travel scheme in and has been met with a mixed reaction from locals who fear an ‘anti-car agenda’ is at play
A new path has sparked fierce debate with accusations of an “anti-car agenda” – with drivers saying cyclists and pedestrians are given more room than motorists.
The active travel upgrades along a key route in Gwynedd, Wales, have caused a rift among locals; some are appalled by the reduced space for vehicles, while others praise the generous pavements designated for shared use. Bangor is witnessing the development of a £1.2m project aimed at transforming local transport habits. Recent aerial shots reveal how the new shared-user path has significantly narrowed Penrhos Road, a major access point to the city centre.
Currently under transformation is a stretch of road between Coed y Maes and Coed Mawr. The ambitious vision includes revamping the entire Penrhos Road from the A487 and adding cycle lanes on Penchwintan Road, ultimately linking up with Bangor Railway Station. The project spans approximately 2.5 miles in total.
Visuals indicate that the path is nearly as wide as the two-lane roadway itself, reports North Wales Live, and motorists are fuming over the changes. One raged: “It’s utterly absurd that the cycle lane is broader than car lanes! This leaves drivers desperately squeezing past potholes, which the council seems utterly oblivious to. Absolute madness.” Another said: “They’ve completely lost the plot. Even the cycle paths in Amsterdam with thousands of people using them are not this wide. This is nothing more than an attack on your right to drive a car.”
Despite the changes, old road markings can still be seen, leading to confusion and one lane being wider than the other. Motorists are up in arms about being squeezed into tight spaces and hitting new kerbs. There’s also worry that the slimmed-down lanes won’t fit ambulances or other large vehicles. Cyngor Gwynedd insists the project adheres to current design standards and maintains that the road “remains safe for all vehicles”. A council spokesperson said: “The work is ongoing, and whilst we appreciate the impact the development may cause in the short-term, the road will be realigned as the work is completed in the coming months.”
The new shared-user path is taking over what used to be a partly grassy pavement about 2.5 metres across, with some critics slamming the project as a “waste of money”. Since Penchwintan Road isn’t wide enough for a shared path, cyclists are expected to ride on the road. On uphill sections, bike lanes will be merely advisory, leaving cars free to encroach on the space. The final stretch connecting to the railway station is still up in the air.
At this juncture, Caernarfon Road is quite narrow and has to contend with a railway underpass. The goal is to provide cyclists and pedestrians with “frequent opportunities to cross” what can often be a busy road. Formal crossings will prioritise “priority to cycles, pedestrians and wheelers”. A consultation on the scheme found majority support. Some 47% of respondents were “very supportive” of an improved pedestrian path, though this fell to 33% for a shared-user path.
Almost half of respondents (48%) said they were “likely” or very likely” to change their method of travel if a shared-user path was installed. One person welcomed the new scheme, saying they felt “trapped” by the fast and busy road, adding: “I have to pay for a taxi to the shops rather than cross the road for the bus.” Another said: “When walking children to school it is very difficult to cross the road.
Gwynedd Council councillor Dafydd Meurig said: “While we accept that the temporary work will cause some inconvenience in the short term, I am confident that the people of the area will see the benefits of the improvements very soon.”
