#killay — Public Fediverse posts

Council backs down on Clyne Valley tarmac plan after public outcry

The Old Carriage Drive bridleway, which links Derwen Fawr and Killay, became the focus of fierce local anger last year after residents discovered proposals to lay a hard tarmac surface along the rural route. Walkers, horse‑riders and cyclists warned the scheme would “urbanise” one of the valley’s most cherished green corridors, prompting protests, petitions and packed public meetings.

Now the council has confirmed it is rowing back on the original plan and will instead restore the bridleway using a more traditional surface dressing, improved drainage and lighter‑touch repairs designed to keep the route’s natural character intact.

A clear shift after community pressure

Cllr Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said the rethink came directly from the strength of feeling shown by residents and community groups.

“Our discussions with residents and community groups have come up with suggestions that will help enhance the route while also maintaining the look and feel of the local natural environment.”

“We’ve listened to what people have been saying about our original proposals and the result will see enhancements aiming to reflect many of their suggestions.”

He said the new approach would still improve accessibility, but without the hard urban finish many feared. The revised plan includes clearing drainage ditches, restoring the bridleway’s original surface and improving connections to adjoining paths.

Residents claim victory after months of opposition

Locals had slammed the tarmac plan as “completely inappropriate”, staging a protest walk through the valley in a bid to stop it. The council’s reversal is already being seen by many as a significant climbdown.

Campaigners had warned that tarmac would damage the valley’s ecology, increase speeds on the route and erase the historic feel of the Old Carriage Drive. Some accused the council of pushing through a scheme that ignored the bridleway’s rural status.

Part of wider investment — but with a lighter touch

The council says the new works will complement more than £1 million already spent upgrading the main Clyne Valley Path, which has been widened and resurfaced in recent years to cope with rising footfall. But unlike the main route, the Old Carriage Drive will now retain its woodland character.

Cllr Stevens said the upgrade would “add to and continue the significant investment” in the country park, while ensuring the bridleway remains in keeping with its surroundings.

What happens next?

Detailed designs for the revised scheme will be drawn up in the coming months, with work expected to focus on restoring the bridleway’s original surface rather than replacing it with tarmac.

For many residents, the shift marks a rare moment where community pressure has directly reshaped a council project — and a win for those determined to keep Clyne Valley’s woodland routes as natural as possible.

More on the Clyne Valley row

Protest planned over Clyne Valley bridleway resurfacing
Residents organise a protest walk after plans emerge to tarmac the historic route.

Residents voice anger over plans to resurface historic Clyne bridleway
Walkers, cyclists and horse‑riders condemn the proposal as “completely inappropriate”.

After all the excitement (!) of the weekend, I’ve had the chance to look at my snaps of the Eurasian Scops Owl on Friday.

I think the best description that my poor little bridge camera produced is a “record shot” 😂

#UKBirding #Wales #Killay #Swansea #Owl #Birds #wildlife #nature #lifer #BirdsOfMastodon

Swansea restaurants fined after serving unsafe meals to allergy sufferers

Three Swansea restaurants have been fined thousands of pounds after investigations revealed they had served meals containing undeclared allergens to customers who had specifically warned staff about their allergies.

Trading Standards officers from Swansea Council carried out undercover sampling and inspections at Saporito Pizza and Grill House on Gower Road in Killay, Indian Street Kitchen on Walter Road in Swansea city centre, and Joyato Sushi and Grill on Salubrious Passage, off Wind Street in the city centre. In each case, staff gave false assurances about food safety, but laboratory analysis later confirmed the presence of allergens including gluten, milk and egg.

At Swansea Magistrates’ Court, all three owners admitted offences under the General Food Regulations 2004 and the Food Safety Act 1990, including placing unsafe food on the market and falsely describing menu items.

The penalties varied, but all were significant. The owner of Saporito Pizza and Grill House, Seckin Bulutoglu, was ordered to pay more than £2,000 in fines, surcharges and costs. At Indian Street Kitchen, Muminul Uddin faced a bill of over £2,300. The heaviest penalty was handed to Yanrui Yi, who runs Joyato Sushi and Grill, with fines and costs totalling close to £9,500.

Council officers said the breaches included mislabelled menu items, poor allergen management systems, and a lack of staff training.

Council: “No excuses”

Cllr Andrew Williams, Cabinet Member for Corporate Service (Performance), said the cases showed how dangerous poor allergen practices can be.

“These cases highlight the potentially fatal consequences of failing to manage allergens and provide accurate information to customers,” he said.

“All the businesses involved have no excuses, having received significant advice about staff training and the dangers associated with allergens.

“Swansea Council is committed to protecting public health and will not hesitate to take enforcement action against businesses that put consumers at risk.”

Warning to businesses and customers

The council is urging all food businesses to ensure staff are properly trained and that allergen information is accurate and up to date. Consumers are also advised to ask about allergens and, if in doubt, walk away.

#allergens #cllrAndrewWilliams #featured #foodDrink #foodSafety #gowerRoad #killay #restaurant #salubriousPassage #swansea #swanseaCityCentre #swanseaCouncil #walterRoad #windStreet

Protest planned over Clyne Valley bridleway resurfacing

A protest is being organised this weekend against Swansea Council’s decision to resurface Old Carriage Drive in Clyne Valley Country Park as part of its Active Travel programme.

‘Overwhelming opposition’ from residents

Local resident Will Allen said hundreds of people responded to his online post raising concerns about the scheme, with the “overwhelming majority” opposed.

“We wrote to councillors, Active Travel officers, MPs and MSs and were told that our concerns were being considered. However today they got back to us to say they are ploughing ahead with the scheme,” he said.

Allen added:

“I feel angry and frustrated at this – someone drew a line on a map during a city‑wide consultation, after which we hear nothing until the work is irrevocably approved by the Council. The feedback we provide when we finally learn is politely listened to but basically ignored.”

“As polite emails have not got anywhere I have decided to organise a protest. It should be well‑attended, and will give people the chance to show their concerns and highlight the beauty and history of the location,” he said.

Council defends scheme as part of Active Travel duty

In a letter to campaigners, Stephen Williams, Swansea Council’s Active Travel Officer, said Old Carriage Drive was identified in the 2021 Active Travel Network Map consultation and is intended to provide a safe, direct off‑road link between Killay and Derwen Fawr.

“This route is important as it reduces the distance required to travel actively between Killay and Derwen Fawr, and enables those journeys to be made free from traffic,” he wrote.

Williams said the resurfacing would not change the bridleway’s designation or access points, but would improve drainage and accessibility.

“We believe that by improving the surface of this path, we can enable more journeys to be undertaken actively, without disadvantaging the needs of any existing user group,” he added.

He also pointed to wider benefits:

“If we are to improve outcomes such as health, environmental, economic, obesity rates, and travel independence for children, we will need to make changes to our physical environment. We accept that some members of the public will not welcome these changes, however we believe this scheme will enable more journeys to be undertaken actively.”

Concerns over housing development

Former council cabinet member Jen Raynor suggested the resurfacing could be linked to future housing development.

“One of the key drivers to making this route into a mini tarmac road is the likely chance of the fields adjacent to the route being granted planning permission for houses. If it can be said there is an Active Travel route then less space is needed for car parking so more houses can be squeezed onto the land,” she wrote.

Raynor added:

“I was a councillor when the first Active Travel routes were proposed and this carriageway was certainly not proposed for tarmacking. In fact I and other councillors were assured that the Country Park would retain a variety of routes and surfaces because of the different users.”

Calls for councillor involvement

Local resident Carol Edwards urged campaigners to keep pressing elected members, pointing to a previous case where community pressure stopped a cycle path plan in Uplands.

“It was because of a lot of complaints, and the involvement of local councillors, that the active travel plan to put a cycle path through Uplands from the railway station was stopped,” she said.

“Councillors’ involvement is really important, and getting many people to write a short email to the Council with reasons why it shouldn’t proceed regardless of what the Council have decided.”

Protest details

The protest is due to take place at 4pm on Saturday 25 October at the Clyne Valley Road entrance to the woods. Organisers say they expect a strong turnout from local residents opposed to the scheme.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Residents voice anger over plans to resurface historic Clyne bridleway
Initial community reaction as campaigners opposed Swansea Council’s Active Travel resurfacing plans in Clyne Valley Country Park.

Future transport plans lead to rethink on city centre walking and cycling route
Swansea Council reviews its city centre active travel route in light of new transport strategy priorities.

Funds for controversial Sketty Road cycle route to be diverted to other schemes
Welsh Government reallocates funding away from the Sketty Road project following local opposition.

Raised boardwalk plan for new walking and cycling route along River Tawe
Proposals unveiled for a raised boardwalk to improve access and safety on the River Tawe corridor.

Gowerton’s long‑awaited cycle and walking link to station finally opens after delays
New active travel link connects Gowerton railway station after years of planning and setbacks.

#ActiveTravel #CllrJenniferRaynor #Clyne #ClyneValley #ClyneValleyCountryPark #ClyneValleyWoods #DerwenFawr #Killay #protest #Sketty #Swansea #SwanseaCouncil #tarmac #woodland