Problems and Opportunities

The key issues and opportunities for this Active Travel route are:

Themes and issues:

Existing Layout

• At its narrowest point between the parapet and guard railing posts, the available width of the footway is 1.4m. This width creates conflict between pedestrians and cyclists.
• On the bridge, the road width is approximately 6.7m between kerbs which is below the 7.3m design standard for single carriageway roads and below the standard required to provide on-road cycle lanes.
• The A547 Conwy Road which crosses the bridge has a 12-foot height restriction.
• The road bridge serves as an unofficial diversionary route when the Conwy tunnels (A55) are closed.
• The Conwy Road Bridge forms a promoted link in the Council’s Integrated Network Map for future active travel routes. There is not currently adequate provision for cyclists travelling westbound on the off-road shared-use route on The Cob to merge into traffic on the road to cross the bridge. After crossing the bridge, cyclists are signed to make a U-turn at a mini-roundabout to connect back into National Cycle Network Route 5 (NCN5) on Lower Gate Street.
• The current footway is too narrow to conform to the design principles for shared-use pedestrian / cycle facilities. It is not possible to create an off-road route based on the current footway width. 

Current Usage

• Some cyclists use the main carriageway, making up approximately 1% of traffic flow across the A547 road bridge.
• Over a 4 day period, 4,178 cyclist and pedestrian users were recorded on NCN5 in Conwy town and on The Cob, 13% of which were cyclists.

Heritage

• The medieval castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It can be seen from various vantages but notably from the across the estuary. The setting of the World Heritage Site must be safeguarded and any alterations to the bridges could impact on the UNESCO designation.
• The road bridge forms part of the Conservation Area and Essential Setting of World Heritage. Any alterations to existing structures or construction of new structures will be constrained by the heritage setting.
• Alterations to signage, lighting and other street furniture may detract from the heritage setting.

Environmental

• Aber Afon Conwy (River Conwy) Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is crossed by the A547 road bridge. Any changes will need to consider the impacts on the SSSI.

Policy

• The latest version of the Wales Transport Strategy stresses the importance of climate change and reaffirms the transport hierarchy, with sustainable methods having greater prominence.  The scheme is well placed to meet the requirements and outcomes of the Wales Transport Strategy.

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