Walkway (From Penarth Times)

Walkway

YOUR front page report, that doubts have now arisen over the funding of the Link Walkway project, is probably the best news your excellent paper carried on October 14.

I have always had grave doubts about the engineering feasibility of this scheme, the estimates of cost (justifiably, so it would seem), and even greater doubts about its benefits.

During the 17 years I worked as a civil engineer in government offices, all transport infrastructure schemes were subject to a cost/benefit analysis. It was called COBA, for short.

The end product of COBA was to establish a ratio of cost against the value put on the benefits of a more efficient traffic flow, reductions in accidents, etc.

No scheme could enter the government's programme unless COBA demonstrated an acceptable ratio.

My recollection of the process after 20 years engaged in other work is a little hazy now, and COBA may well have been overtaken by more sophisticated computer programmes.

It would hardly be applicable to the Link Walkway in the form that I remember. However, the principle of demonstrating value for the investment of public funds must surely have endured.

As I gaze out at a rain-sodden Penarth and contemplate the prospect of the most severe winter for years, I wonder who are the intrepid walkers and cyclists who would use the walkway through the winter months.

Where would they go? Tesco's maybe, (better to go in the car with all that shopping to carry). El Porto's or La Marina, perhaps, but imagine arriving at those restaurants having braved rain, cold and easterly winds; not the best way to start an evening out!

And who of the residents of Penarth Bay would be mad enough to bypass the delights of those restaurants for the less salubrious offerings on Penarth front?

What economic benefits could the Link Walkway possibly bring to the residents of Penarth, apart from a handful of restaurant owners on the seafront? Surely, there are better investments? A replacement car park with the renovation of the pier pavilion would be something that could be enjoyed all year round.

A drainage system is needed that could cope with flash storms; the present one is demonstrably inadequate.

The Link Walkway is an extravagant nonsense, in my view, as are the claims being made for it.

When I read that our MP and AM are in favour of it, I despair at the profligacy of elected members when spending taxpayers money.

After the fiasco of the Penarth Square, the fact that the scheme has the endorsement of the Penarth Society does nothing to boost my confidence in it.

My guess is that the only organisation that is really looking forward to the link Walkway with unbridled glee is the Penarth Sea Anglers' Society.

I'm off to join them, just in case it goes ahead!

Michael Griffin Park Road Penarth