SAM ROWLANDS, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales, is calling on constituents to share their views on cycle route barriers in Flintshire.
Mr Rowlands is urging the public to take part in Flintshire County Council’s review on barriers across its local cycle network to ensure routes are safe, accessible and inclusive for all users.
He said: “I welcome the fact that Flintshire council is asking the public for their views on this matter as it is important that they are able to have their say.
“I have previously highlighted problems with some barriers on the Flintshire Coastal path and I was delighted last year when the council agreed to remove some of the barriers following a campaign by several organisations who were calling for their immediate removal.
“I saw at firsthand how difficult it would be for cyclists, people with prams or wheelchair users to get through some of these barriers and I am pleased to see this review taking place.
“I would urge anyone who wants to share their views to take part in the consultation.”
The review forms part of the Council’s Inclusive Impact Assessment (IIA), which evaluates each barrier in terms of accessibility, safety, and compliance with the Active Travel Act Guidance (2021).
Flintshire County Council is committed to creating a cycle network that is safe, accessible, and welcoming to all users. Barriers, while sometimes necessary for safety and access control, can present challenges for certain users, including people with disabilities, mobility aid users, families with pushchairs, adapted cycle users, and less confident cyclists. They want to engage directly with specialist user groups and representatives of vulnerable communities to ensure the decisions we make are informed by lived experience and practical perspectives.
Each barrier is being assessed individually, and recommendations may include:
- Removal where the barrier is no longer required
- Retention where the current design is necessary and proportionate
- Adjustment to improve accessibility and compliance with the Active Travel Act Guidance
Prior to Christmas 2024 initial public drop-in sessions were held to provide residents with an opportunity to speak directly with Council staff and share feedback on barrier locations, as well as discuss experiences and practical challenges faced when using the cycle network
Two sessions were held in November and December and more are planned this month on Friday, January 23 at Deeside Leisure Centre, Chester Road West, Queensferry, Flintshire, CH5 1SA from 10am-4pm and Monday, January 26 at Flintshire Connects, Old Town Hall, High Street, Holywell CH8 7TD.
The consultation can be completed online, details are on the council’s Local cycle network barriers page.
