Link goes on show (From Penarth Times)

Link goes on show

HUNDREDS of Penarth residents descended on the Paget Rooms this week, to find out about the town's £7.5 million Headland Link project.

According to organisers the Vale of Glamorgan Council, the link is vital to the future economic development and tourism of the town.

The cycle/walkway will connect Cardiff Bay, the Barrage and the Marina to the Esplanade and will form part of the National Cycle Route. It will be funded entirely by the Assembly, with construction set to start in mid 2003.

Jane Bayley of Victoria Road visited the exhibition, which ran from Thursday until Sunday.

She said: "I like to go for walks with my son, who's in a wheelchair. So as long as it's wide enough and safe enough for him, it will be great. I imagine I will spend lots of time there."

But Richard Croydon of Cardiff said: "It's a complete waste of time and effort. Surely there's a better way of spending money? We've got that bridge over the Thames that was meant to be opened last year, but it's still closed. Make that bridge a bit bigger and you've got this."

Local architect Chris Loyn of Victoria Road said: "I think it's wonderful, stunning, and the structure is fascinating. I wish they had a bit more money to enable them to get a bit more of a building somewhere on the link. I always thought it would have canopy structures with viewing points at critical areas, but it hasn't."

Michael Heap of Westbourne Road, said: "It's a super idea to link the Headland and Bay. It looks like a really good scheme."

Tony Hodge, group engineer for the council's Highways and Traffic department, was at the exhibition to answer questions and said: "I've had very positive feedback. Now we're looking for somewhere to display the boards and the model permanently."