News - New bridge marks start of new Heads of the Valley routes

13th July 2011

The valleys landscape was transformed as the brand new Pengarnddu walking and cycling bridge was lifted into place at Dowlais Top, Merthyr Tydfil

The bridge will provide a safer, traffic-free crossing for walkers and cyclists over the busy A465 when it opens in September.

Rachel Lister, Sustrans Project Officer in the Valleys, said; ‘This is a significant development as it is the first new part of the Heads of the Valleys route to be put in place.

‘It crosses an extremely busy road, and will allow people from nearby Dowlais and Panteg to travel on foot and bike to ASDA and Lidl in Dowlais Top Industrial Estate, as well as connecting existing parts of the National Cycle Network together for those doing longer walking and cycling journeys.

'This is exactly the sort of safer and more attractive route that is needed if we are to encourage people to do more of their daily journeys on foot or bike.’

Pengarnddu Bridge was winched into place overnight by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, marking the start of work on the Heads of the Valleys walking and cycling route, which will eventually run from Neath town centre to the market town of Abergavenny and is being developed by charity Sustrans, local authority partners and with funding from the Welsh Government.

The Heads of the Valleys route will fully open next year, and will be known as National Cycle Network Route 46, providing a walking and cycling ‘spine’ through the south Wales Valleys.

It will incorporate a mix of new sections of route and existing parts of the National Cycle Network like the popular Route 8 Taff Trail.

To find out more about Sustrans' work in Wales, visit www.sustrans.org.uk/wales  or to plan cycle ride in Wales visit www.routes2ride.org.uk/