The multi-million pound project to connect Rhyl and Kinmel Bay through a walking and cycling network including a new crossing over the River Clwyd is on track to be completed by the end of 2011.
Its just over a year since Sustrans' Connect2 won the TV vote to bring £50million from the Big Lottery Fund to 79 communities across the UK - including Rhyl and eight other Welsh locations - to create networks for everyday journeys for people travelling by foot or bike.
There's been lots of action behind the scenes to make the route the best it can be. Five contractors are currently bidding for the design and build contract for the iconic bridge spanning the harbour and the first designs will be revealed in spring and developed throughout the year to enable building to get underway in 2010.
Lead partner Denbighshire County Council are fully supported by the Welsh Assembly Government and Sustrans who are working with local community groups to refine the networks and the connection of paths leading to and from the new harbour crossing.
Glyn Evans, Sustrans area manager says: "We want to make walking and cycling the obvious choice for local journeys to work, to school and the shops, and signing this agreement is the first step towards making it happen."
Partners are also preparing to sign the paperwork that will guide the scheme over the coming months. This agreement, a Memorandum of Understanding, confirms partners continued commitment to the project and pledges £450,000 from Sustrans' Connect2 to complete the route.
Cllr David Thomas, lead member for Regeneration from Denbighshire County Council says: "I am delighted that we have now secured the funding for this project which is an exciting development for the West Parade and Foryd Harbour areas of Rhyl. It will provide an essential link for walkers and cyclists alike and will help us try and minimise the impact of car traffic in the area."
This scheme has been made possible through the enormous popular support for Sustrans' Connect2 - as voted for by the public in the UK's largest lottery competition in December 2007.
The anticipated cost of the Rhyl to Kinmel Bay scheme is in excess of £4million, with £450,000 coming from the Big Lottery Fund as part of Sustrans Connect2, and the remaining funding coming from other sources including the Welsh Assembly Government, Denbighshire County Council and other sources.
The lottery award will join locally sourced match-funding to transform local travel in 79 communities throughout the UK - changing the lives of six million people who live within a mile of a scheme. Over the next five years, nearly £30 million a year will be invested in creating these local walking and cycling networks from Devon to Perthshire.
Source: Sustrans
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Rhyl's walking and cycling bridge is on its way
