Wrexham Council seek views on improving Walking & Cycle routes

NONE of the proposals to transform cycling and walking routes in key areas of the city centre are a ‘foregone conclusion’ according to senior figures at Wrexham Council.

People in Wrexham are currently being asked for their views on plans to improve walking and cycling routes along four key roads.

Wrexham Council and Transport for Wales are working together with the aim of making it easier, safer and more convenient to walk and cycle in the city, and want feedback on plans to improve the following routes:

The A525 along Kingsmills Road, Salop Road and St Giles Way.
The A534 along Holt Road and Borras Road.
The A5152 along Chester Road.
The A541 along Mold Road and Regent Street.
Among the bolder options proposed is a potential reconfiguration of the Mold Road roundabout to become ‘square’ shaped, allowing better ease of use for cyclists and pedestrians, and the one-way system on Bradley Road, Central Road and Regent Street becoming a two-way system.

The council is running an online consultation where drawings and images of the proposed improvements can be viewed here – Have Your Say Today – Wrexham Transforming Towns – Commonplace

A drop-in session is also being held at Tŷ Paw, ,on Market Street next Wednesday, November 9 between 4pm and 7pm.

Deputy Leader, Councillor David A Bithell (Ind), who leads on strategic transport and active travel, said: “By providing better footpaths, cycle tracks and crossings, and developing a network of routes across Wrexham, we can make walking and cycling safer and more convenient.

“We want to encourage more people to leave the car at home for short local journeys, and with the world facing a climate and ecological emergency, this is more important than ever.

“So please fill in our online questionnaire or come along to our drop-in session at Tŷ Pawb on November 9.”

Speaking at a media briefing, Cllr Bithell added that nothing was a ‘foregone conclusion’.

He said: “All elected members have been invited to a series of workshops over the last few months.

“The proposals have been done by one of our consultants acting on our behalf to look at Active Travel routes.

“That doesn’t mean they are a foregone conclusion, that these are going to happen. Consultation is consultation.

“There’s been lots of interest about Active Travel and that’s part of our decarbonisation plans and getting people to actively walk or cycle.

“Honestly, we’re open to people’s views. People have different views about the Mold Road corridor, the Chester corridor and many of these proposals will be refined after the consultation comes back.

“It’s very early stages but we have to do the work, we’re trying to make sure our consultation process is robust as we can and then we go back to see where we are.

“Welsh Government has made it very clear that money is available for Active Travel routes, but it’s the early stage.”

Councillor Hugh Jones (Con), lead member with responsibility for highways, added: “The routes we’re looking at provide important connections between communities, schools, shops, workplaces and the city centre.

“We’ve looked at how each route could be potentially redesigned to create direct, safe, comfortable and attractive routes for pedestrians, including people using wheelchairs and mobility scooters, as well as cyclists.

“This is an exciting project for Wrexham, so please spare some time to take a look at the proposals and feedback your views.”