How coronavirus will change roads, buses, cycling and walking routes in Wales

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The way we use public transport in Wales is set to change drastically because of coronavirus.

The Welsh Government has announced major plans to make more space for people to keep a social distance on public transport.

The £15.4m ‘Transforming Towns’ approach see town centres, community and green spaces redesigned in a bid to help limit the spread of Covid-19.

Deputy Transport Minister Lee Waters said: “During this lockdown, we have seen a real change in people’s behaviours, with more and more of us choosing to walk and cycle for necessary journeys. When we have been able to get out of the house, it has been great to enjoy the cleaner air and quieter streets.

“But it’s clear we’ve got to take action now to lock-in for the long-term many of those changed behaviours we have seen, by making a positive choice to reallocate road space in our town centres and in our communities and to give it over to better active travel infrastructure.

“It was encouraging to receive more than 200 proposals and to see so much enthusiasm for the wider work the Welsh Government is doing to re-think our town centres and public squares for the future.

“We asked local authorities to prioritise those schemes which can be delivered within the next three to four months and which can have the greatest impact in their local area – hopefully making a real difference to how people see, and get around, their local area. Today is hopefully the start of our long-term project to enhance our town centres and public areas.”

How the money will be used in North Wales:

As children start returning to school in the next to weeks, £2 million has been earmarked specifically for schemes around schools.

The Welsh Government said: “it is important to enable safe walking and cycling journeys and maintain social distance at the school gates.”

Conwy has plans to alleviate a pinch point on Conwy Bridge.

The Isle of Angelsey will be using the money for bus stop improvements and social distancing measures at main bus stops.

Rhyl town centre will see the suspension of sections of on-street parking for safer walking and cycling, also providing traffic-free routes within the town.

 

Hannah Blythyn, deputy minister for housing and local government, said: “As we plan to re-open our public spaces and town centres, we have a unique opportunity to re-think and to redesign the way they operate for the future.

"This investment in active travel along with the new guidance can help to inject new energy into our town centres by making them safer and more attractive places for people to visit and get around, so increasing footfall and trade for business.

“This guidance will help those responsible for public spaces think creatively about not just re-opening them after Covid, but to think about the long-term and to make them more user-friendly and sustainable for the future as part of our ‘Transforming Towns’ approach.

“There is no denying the pandemic has been a difficult time for businesses, but it has also given us an opportunity to re-imagine how we design busy areas. I hope the changes made will enhance the public realm and experience of our high streets and public spaces - part of our long-term plan to transform towns in Wales. To ensure they don’t just survive but that they thrive long into the future.”