PLANS for a proposed shared walking and cycling route between Barry and Dinas Powys moved a step closer this week after the Vale Council Cabinet backed the recommendations of a Feasibility Report.

Cabinet endorsed the recommendations for a preferred route from the Biglis/McDonalds roundabout in Barry to Cae’r Odyn and Southtra Park in Dinas Powys.

A consultation exercise with relevant stakeholders will now be organised to seek views in respect of the preferred route and design.

Cabinet also agreed that the director of resources be authorised, in consultation with the leader of the council, to commence initial discussions with landowners and seek necessary land valuations in respect of the land that would need to be acquired to allow construction of the scheme.

Cabinet also agreed that the Director of Development services will also be authorised to submit a further bid to the South East Wales Transport Alliance for scheme funding once the position regarding land valuation is known.

The report, titled “Provision of a shared walking and cycling route between Barry and Dinas Powys” and presented before Cabinet on Monday, October 21, added: “In 2010-11 funding was received from the South East Wales Transport Alliance (Sewta) to undertake feasibility work to see if a Barry-Dinas Powys walking and cycling route might be provided, as the existing highway between the Biglis roundabout in Barry and the edge of Dinas Powys along the A4055 Cardiff Road currently has no footway provision.

“The route is seen as an important element of the developing network of walking and cycling routes across the Vale of Glamorgan and would provide for a safe walking connection between Barry and Dinas Powys and an off road cycle route which would cater for both leisure and commuter cyclists travelling between Barry- Dinas Powys and Cardiff.

“The preferred route would be from the Southra Estate through Bryn y Don playing fields. The route would then follow the boundary hedge and proposes crossing the Cadoxton River via a new footbridge adjacent to the Green Lane junction. The route would then cross Cardiff Road using the existing central island and would follow the field boundaries immediately south of and along Cardiff Road to join up with the eastern footway on Sully Road.”

The results of any consultation, as well as the land valuations and discussions with landowners, will be reported back to the Cabinet in due course.