News - Pont y Werin officially opened by Deputy First Minister

16th July 2010

Today (14 July 2010) Pont y Werin was officially opened by the Deputy First Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones.

Also in attendance at the opening was, Cardiff Council's Leader Cllr Rodney Berman, and Vale of Glamorgan's Council Leader, Gordon Kemp

The bridge will provide pedestrian and cycle crossing access, across the River Ely, linking the Vale of Glamorgan to the International Sports Village in Cardiff Bay

The opening marks the culmination of three years partnership working and funding between Cardiff Council, The Welsh Assembly Government, Cardiff Harbour Authority, The Vale of Glamorgan Council, and a grant from sustainable transport charity Sustrans, through The Big Lottery Fund.

The Big Lottery Fund grant was awarded to Sustrans after the scheme won the People's Millions Lottery contest on ITV1 in December 2007. Communities around the UK, including Pont y Werin, benefited from Sustrans' winning this £50 million grant.

Also in attendance at today's opening were, Cardiff Council's Executive Member for Traffic and Transportation, Cllr Delme Bowen; Cardiff Council's Executive Member for Sport, Culture and Leisure, Cllr Nigel Howells and Vale of Glamorgan Council's Cabinet Member for Planning and Transportation, Cllr Jeff James who all sit on the Pont y Werin steering group. Environment Minister, Jane Davidson also attended along with Malcolm Shepherd, Chief Executive for Sustrans. Sybil Williams, Lydia Harris and Tim Burns who feature on the Pont y Werin portrait benches also attended the ceremony, along with Denise Cooke, who represented her daughter Nicole Cooke. Dame Tanni Grey Thompson was unable to attend the opening event but passed on her best wishes for the day.

Cllr Delme Bowen, said: "Pont y Werin or the 'people's bridge' truly is a bridge for the people.

"The public has given the bridge overwhelming support throughout the last three years, helping to secure the funding for it and even naming the bridge.

"As chairman of the Pont y Werin steering group it's fantastic to see three years of hard work coming to fruition and I would like to thank all partner organisations for their support. The bridge will make a huge difference to pedestrians and cyclists in Cardiff and The Vale of Glamorgan and I can't wait to see their reaction and get their feedback about the bridge."

The Deputy First Minister, who cut the special ribbon to mark the opening of the bridge, said "I'm delighted to be able to officially open this bridge today which I hope will prove to be a valuable asset to residents of Cardiff and the Vale."

"As we celebrate the 3rd anniversary of the One Wales programme of Government, this investment outlines our commitment to delivering a truly sustainable transport system for Wales and provide people with alternatives to using the car. Encouraging more people walk and cycle across Wales will help reduce their dependence on the car, and contribute to cutting CO2 emissions. We are all aware of the need to reduce our carbon footprint, and walking and cycling instead of driving can help to make a real difference."

Cllr Jeff James, the Vale Council's Cabinet Member for planning and transportation, said : "The opening of Pont y Werin, after years of campaigning and planning, represents a significant achievement and a positive milestone in promoting sustainable links between Cardiff and Penarth.

"This link will deliver real benefits to residents of Cardiff and the Vale and I'd like to extend my thanks, on behalf of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, to all our partners for their hard work and support in making this possible.

"I hope that Pont y Werin is a focus of attraction for visitors and a matter of pride for the people of Cardiff and the Vale, and provides an 'uplifting' experience for all the cyclists and pedestrians who use it."

Malcolm Shepherd, Chief Executive of Sustrans: "This bridge is a great achievement and a vital transport connection for the city. It shows that Cardiff is really looking to a more sustainable future where people can choose to leave their cars at home for short local journeys and get around safely and easily on foot or by bike."

Jan Reed, member of the Big Lottery Fund's Wales committee, said: "The BIG Lottery Fund's Living Landmarks programme allowed the public to decide how this funding was invested. It's wonderful to see £1.15 million supporting a project that not only transforms the way in which local communities get around but also promotes healthy living. It is yet another demonstration of how BIG involves lottery players in deciding how lottery money is invested in Wales."

Pont y Werin is a 140 metre bridge that will provide a vital link to enable pedestrians and cyclists to cross between Penarth and the International Sports Village at Cardiff Bay. The design incorporates a 20 metre opening section to allow river traffic to pass. The bridge will also provide the final link completing the Bay Edge Walkway and cycle route and connect it into the Vale of Glamorgan.

Funding from the new bridge has come from the Welsh Assembly Government £1.645m, £1.3m from Cardiff Council, £250k from Cardiff Harbour Authority and £200k from The Vale of Glamorgan Council. The remainder of the funding has come from a £1.15 million award from the Big Lottery Fund which was awarded to the Sustrans after the charity won the People's Millions Lottery contest on ITV1 in December 2007.