A £3 MILLION bid to improve the safety and attractiveness of a footpath from Dinas Powys to Barry has been rejected by the Welsh Government.
The proposal would have provided a shared cycleway and footway between Dinas and Barry, which was designed to reduce congestion.
The route had been planned to go from Parc Bryn y Don sports fields to the McDonald’s roundabout in Barry.
A Vale of Glamorgan Council spokesman said: “The Council submitted a £3 million bid to improve the safety and attractiveness of this route and create better travel links for pedestrians and cyclists.
“The proposal would have provided a shared cycleway and footway between Barry and Dinas Powys, which was designed to reduce congestion.
“Unfortunately this bid was unsuccessful and the council has since met with Welsh Government to discuss the reasons for this.
“The Welsh Government has indicated the proposal needs to address in more detail issues relating to land ownership, flooding, ecology and include links from Dinas Powys on to Cardiff.
“A new proposal covering the issues raised will now be submitted at the earliest opportunity.”
Plaid Cymru councillor Chris Franks said the rejection is a huge blow to Dinas.
“Something has gone badly wrong for this scheme to be rejected,” he said.
“We are amazed that the Vale has submitted such an expensive scheme. It would be helpful if the public had the opportunity to see the plans and give comment.
“The A4055 from Cross Common Road to Barry is very dangerous. The huge increase in traffic means that people would take their lives in their hands if they attempted to walk.
“Once again Dinas Powys seems to be ignored by the Vale Council. No one in the council is effectively fighting our corner.”
Fellow Plaid Community Councillor Richard Grigg said: “The Vale Council is happy to see hundreds of houses built in Dinas Powys but there is very little investment in public facilities. “The Vale is failing to explain why the scheme was rejected and must publish their detailed proposals.
“The route would be alongside the A4055 and on the opposite side of the stream. There does not seem to be people in the Vale effectively working to attract investment in Dinas Powys.”
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