08/05/2023
Imagine being able to travel from one end of Anglesey to the other without coming into contact with any cars, lorries or buses!
Presently, a multi-use path connects Malltraeth on the southern end of the island to Llangefni at the centre of the county (shown in blue on the map below). At any time of the year, this trail is full of families out for a walk in the fresh air, kids learning to cycle, in addition to people admiring the nature and beauty of the Pentre Berw marsh. Everyone enjoying themselves, safe and secure from moving traffic or other hazards which could present a danger to families and young children.
The trail marked in red on the map below shows the direction of the old disused railway line from Gaerwen to Amlwch. Our campaign in is to use this disused track in the same way as the blue marked trail from Malltraeth. That is, to transform the old railway into a multiuser green lane, enabling walkers 🚶♂️, cyclists 🚴♂️, runners 🏃♂️, children, horse riders 🏇, families 👩👩👧👧, as well as those with disabilities to travel the length of our beautiful county in a safe and environmentally friendly manner. The money to do this is accessible from various grants and funds allocated for active travel and decarbonising transport. Since the Covid19 crisis there has been an even greater movement towards cycling, walking and decreased use of motorised transport. We have experts in past multiuse paths, rail trails and multiuse paths who are actively working on the schemes feasibility and our project has been costed at £5.5m for the full 18 miles.
Unfortunately, not everyone in Isle of Anglesey Council and our Assembly Member is in favour of using the old railway in this manner. Instead, they are hoping that trains will return to the disused tracks to create a railway once again. The cost of doing this is beyond any accessible funds, as the state of the rails, sleepers and bridges have deteriorated considerably over the 30+ years since trains last ran on the track. However, the cost of converting the track to a multiuser green way is within our reach. All we need is the political will to make it happen. To this end, we implore you to like and share this post and our letter to our Assembly Member with as many of your friends as you can. If enough of us are in favour of , then the Welsh Government, Isle of Anglesey Council and Rhun ap Iorwerth will come under pressure to act and to allow the process of clearing, replacing fencing, stoning up the path to make it accessible for all.
Open letter of support:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSffs4QKT--Q6ZDEWkCFVINrQZRzoOF2_R4U3YOlGYBBnn2hSg/viewform?usp=sf_link
