“Not convinced” by new Severn Road pavement

A Welshpool county councillor appears to have summed up the mood of the town regarding Welshpool’s new super-wide pavement on Severn Street by saying he’s “not convinced”.

Cllr Graham Breeze was casting his eye over the lavish new pavement that is set to be finally finished after nearly six months of work, connecting the train station with the town centre

The ‘active travel’ project is being financed by the Welsh Government and has resulted in road closures and disruptions since last November.

It has come under regular criticism on social media as a waste of money, especvially when other public services have been cut or reduced.

And with a lion’s share of the work now down and the road ready to be re-activated, Cllr Breeze is not impressed.

“Good to see this Severn Road work approaching completion at last - complete with resurfacing and essential new Zebra Crossing in place,” he said. “(I) Will never be convinced about the need for widened pavements for cyclists and walkers though.”

This was what was said when the project was launched last year:

Cllr Jackie Charlton, Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys.

 “Welsh Government have made it clear that walking and cycling must be the natural mode of choice for short everyday journeys, or as part of a longer journey in combination with other sustainable modes, and the continued investment into practical active travel routes within Powys will help us achieve this vision.

“Not only do these routes improve road, pedestrian and cyclist safety, they also provide us with the opportunity to increase our health and wellbeing by being more active, as well as contributing to reducing emissions and combating the current climate emergency by enabling us to prioritise walking and cycling, rather than using the car, for short, local journeys.”

Cllr Richard Church, Welshpool County Councillor and Cabinet Member for a Safer Powys:

“There’s lots happening around Severn Steet which will bring more people to the area. The new Extra Care home at Neuadd Maldwyn, the new Welsh medium school and work to improve the library and the museum by the canal.

“These improvements, along with the development of the active travel provision, will make it a safe route for young and old people alike, by linking these new facilities to both the town centre and the railway station.”