Ysgol Godre'r Berwyn sees benefit of active travel improvements

Improvements to paths near Ysgol Godre'r Berwyn are having a positive effect and enable more pupils and residents to walk and cycle in this area of Y Bala.

Following concerns about the safety of pupils in the Ysgol Godre'r Berwyn area, Y Bala over the years, Cyngor Gwynedd secured £248,000 of funding from the Welsh Government's Safe Routes in Communities fund to improve active travel options near the school.

Cyngor Gwynedd’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Councillor Craig ab Iago said:

“As a Council, we’re committed to enabling more sustainable travel in our communities, and to make it easier for children and families to walk and cycle to and from school.  

“This investment in Y Bala shows what can be achieved. With the scheme in place for some time now, safety has improved, and there are more active travel options outside the school.”

Bethan Emyr, Ysgol Godre'r Berwyn Headteacher, noted:

"The new lay-out has already had a significant positive impact. Vehicles now leave the car park in a controlled and orderly manner, improving the safety of everyone in our school community.

"The addition of dedicated walking routes ensures that pupils can walk to school safely, promoting a healthier lifestyle and encouraging fewer parents to use cars to drop their children off at school.

"These changes have not only improved the safety of our pupils, staff and parents, but also encouraged a more environmentally friendly way of traveling to school."

The work near Ysgol Godre'r Berwyn has led to improving the cycling links around the school, making it easier and safer for pupils and their families to walk and cycle to and from school.

The plan involved close collaboration between Cyngor Gwynedd and a number of stakeholders including Ysgol Godre'r Berwyn, the local member and the Bala and Penllyn Community Association as a landowner in the area which has enabled the creation of a new route to create a suitable connection to the back of the school.

Councillor Dilwyn Morgan, who represents Y Bala on Cyngor Gwynedd, added:

"This was a scheme that many had been keen to see for years, and it is very pleasing to see that the school is already seeing the benefit.

"It is an example of the positive work by Cyngor Gwynedd to facilitate opportunities for residents to be able to walk and cycle on local journeys whenever possible - and that for the benefit of personal health and well-being and to cut down on unnecessary carbon emissions."

Cyngor Gwynedd has also secured funding from the Welsh Government's Safe Routes in Communities fund for improving walking and cycling facilities near Ysgol Treferthyr, Cricieth and Ysgol Rhostryfan this year.