Improved route near primary school aims to boost safer and more accessible active travel
PUPILS, teachers and councillors gathered in Gilwern to celebrate Walk to School Week by taking part in a community walk along a newly upgraded pathway designed to improve access to the village primary school.
Children from Gilwern Primary School were joined by representatives from Living Streets and the charity’s “Strider” mascot, which promotes walking to school initiatives across the UK.
The improvements, funded through the Welsh Government’s Active Travel Fund, have transformed a well-used path running parallel to Ty Mawr Road, providing a safer and more accessible route for residents travelling to and from the school from the eastern side of Gilwern.
Before the work was carried out, the pathway had become weathered and uneven, making it difficult to use, particularly during poor weather.
The scheme has now widened and resurfaced the path, improving year-round accessibility for wheelchair users, people using mobility scooters and families with pushchairs.
To reduce environmental impact, the route was constructed using a “no-dig” method, meaning the new surface was laid on top of the existing ground rather than excavating into it. The project also included the installation of tactile paving at crossing points on either side of the path.
Sara Burch, Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Housing and Tourism at Monmouthshire County Council, said: “Upgrades like these are vital to enable as many of us as possible to use active travel for our day-to-day journeys.
“With warmer weather hopefully on the way, I can’t wait to see how the path is used by residents and visitors.
“Llanelly Community Council were clear that this path was a priority for action, and I am glad that we have been able to complete it.”
