**Frustration as New Cycle Path in Swansea Remains Inaccessible to Cyclists**
A newly constructed cycle and pedestrian route connecting Fairwood Terrace to Gowerton railway station in Swansea is the centre of mounting frustration, as locals remain unable to access the path despite its apparent completion. The route, built by Swansea Council and intended for both cyclists and pedestrians, has been physically completed but remains closed at the station entrance, leaving many questioning the ongoing wait.
According to officials, the hold-up stems from the requirement to install CCTV cameras and lighting along the path—safety features deemed essential by authorities. These works are taking longer than anticipated because they involve cooperation with Network Rail, which owns and manages the station and surrounding rail infrastructure. The use of specialist railway contractors is required to carry out these final installations within the active railway environment, adding further complexity to the process.
Cyclists and local residents have grown increasingly impatient. One cyclist, who preferred not to be named, voiced his dismay, explaining that the current alternative—a longer route along the busy Victoria Road and through a tunnel—feels unsafe and inconvenient for many, especially those less confident navigating heavy traffic. “The Tarmac is finished and set. People keep asking why the extension hasn’t opened yet and what’s the point of the locked gate. It’s a link that could really change things for a lot of people here—we’re just waiting for it now,” he told Swansea Council by email.
In response to enquiries, the council acknowledged the frustrations but maintained that progress is continuing. A spokesperson emphasised that while most walking and cycling routes on council land are relatively straightforward, schemes intersecting with live railways require complex coordination. “Within a railway environment, projects demand clearance from Network Rail and the use of specialist contractors for works such as CCTV and lighting. These requirements have unfortunately led to some delays,” the spokesman explained.
The council projected that the outstanding tasks—primarily the installation of safety lighting and monitoring systems—should be concluded before the end of the summer. “Once complete, we are confident residents will notice a significant improvement in public access to and from the station,” the spokesman added, stressing the council’s desire to open the facility as swiftly as possible.
Network Rail, the owner and supervisor of the railway station, declined to expand on the matter, stating only that they have no further comment at this stage. Their continuing involvement is critical to the final stages, as no work can proceed without their approval and input.
The shared-use path is part of a broader set of improvements that have taken place in Gowerton in recent years. Notably, a major £24 million project in 2013 saw the doubling of five miles of track and enhancements to the railway station itself, facilitating the running of more train services and alleviating congestion. The new cycle path was intended to further boost accessibility for rail users travelling via sustainable transport.
In addition to the new path, there are proposals for further development in the area. A 50-space car park could soon be constructed adjacent to the eastbound side of the station, in connection with a proposed 216-home housing development at the rear of Fairwood Terrace. However, the scheme remains in limbo after Swansea Council’s planning committee rejected it, and it now awaits a decision by a Welsh Government-appointed planning inspector following an appeal by developers Persimmon Homes West Wales.
The situation encapsulates the broader challenges facing infrastructure projects that intersect with national transport networks and railways, where multiple authorities and specialist contractors must collaborate and find solutions to satisfy both safety and operational requirements.
As the summer approaches, attention will remain focused on Swansea Council and Network Rail, with local residents and cyclists keen to see if promises to open this important access route in the coming months are kept. For now, the path remains tantalisingly close, yet frustratingly out of reach for the community it was designed to serve.