Active Travel Project – Waterloo Port, Caernarfon
Project Description:
The Waterloo Port section forms part of the Lôn Las Menai which is part of Lôn Las Cymru, the Welsh National Cycle Route, which is about 400 km long. Lôn Las Menai is the section which runs for 6.5 km along a section of the former Caernarfon to Bangor railway trackbed. From the north of Caernarfon, it just runs to the north side of Y Felinheli.
An internal audit from Cyngor Gwynedd’s Environnment department identified areas where there were safety concerns, and highlighted areas where the route did not conform to the current active travel guidance e.g. narrow footpath and lack of signage and lining. One of the main concerns was the lack of space for cyclists and pedestrians to use this section as a shared-use path.
Three options formed part of the commission. They were:
Use the existing road behind the houses
1. Extend the path into the track to the pumping house
2. Widen the path into the existing hedge between the road and the cycle route.
3. Widen the path into the existing hedge between the road and the cycle route.
Option 3 was the preferred option to proceed to detailed design and construction works.
Existing Situation for Option 3:
The following constraint were identified during the detailed design and site investigation:
3 no trees with known defects
Land constraint
Utility clashes – relocation of telegraph pole required.
Lack of highway boundary to achieve maximum Active Travel width
Maximum achievable footpath width available 2.5m an increase from the previous 1.2-1.6m
Overall length of 120m
Unchartered utilities – private supplies
Diversion for cyclist/pedestrians required due to the number of users.
Scheme Deliverables:
The objective of the project is to design a new layout for the area, apply for any permissions required, procure a contractor to construct the works and project manage/supervise the works.
The following was undertaken by YGC:
Detailed design for the section – including site clearance, accommodation works, drainage, fencing and new gates, surfacing, signage, and road markings drawings
Ecology and arboricultural tree survey
Road Safety Audit Stage 1/2 (Detailed Design) and RSA 3 (post-construction completion)
Identify and apply for consent to construct
Utility searches and protection/diversion works
SuDS compliant design to enhance; Surface water runoff destination, Surface water runoff hydraulic control, Water Quality, Amenity, Biodiversity; and Design of drainage for construction, operation, and maintenance
Cost estimate for works
Contract documentation and procure contractor via an open tender process
Supervise and Project Manage works