WORK is underway on significant improvements that will make it easier for people to walk and cycle safely in the Ffordd Penrhos area near Bangor.

Having secured £1.2million of Active Travel support from the Welsh Government, Cyngor Gwynedd has collaborated with Transport for Wales to develop the plans.

The current work is part of the first phase of improvements from the Coed Mawr area to Coed y Maes in Penrhosgarnedd.

As part of the first phase of work, the existing footpath will be modified to make it suitable for pedestrians and cyclists - there will also be pedestrian crossings provided to help children cross the road.

Ffordd Penrhos connects residential areas with schools, travel centres, the hospital and employment areas. The aim of the work will be to provide a safe means of travel as people travel to school, work and leisure in the area.

MORE: Council tax increases and service cuts loom in Gwynedd

Councillor Dafydd Meurig, Cyngor Gwynedd's cabinet member for environment, said: "I am extremely pleased to see the work on active travel improvements in the Ffordd Penrhos area in Bangor get underway.

"This area can be very busy in terms of traffic, and there has been a real desire from local residents for years to improve the situation and make it more convenient for people in the area to be able to walk and cycle safely.

"The improvements that are being developed will make it easier for children and parents to get to school and nursery safely by foot or bicycle and cut down on car journeys, which is clearly also beneficial for the environment and cutting down on carbon emissions.

"While we accept that the temporary work will cause some inconvenience in the short term, I am confident that the people of the area will see the benefits of the improvements very soon."

Councillor Menna Baines, who represents Y Faenol, said: "As someone who has lived on Ffordd Penrhos for over twenty years I have seen the traffic increase constantly and it is at its heaviest when taking children to and from school.

"I welcome this scheme as a contribution towards reducing the dependence on cars locally and the crossings that are part of it are going to be helpful too as people have been calling for more safe places to cross for some time.

"Of course, cycling and walking are also great means of exercise."

Councillor Elin Walker Jones, who represents Glyder, noted: "We are very pleased with the development locally and look forward to seeing the active travel route facilitating travel to school by walking or cycling.

"This will reduce the traffic and its adverse effects on children's health. Walking or cycling rather than traveling in a vehicle is good for our physical and mental health."

Councillor Gareth Anthony Roberts, a member of Dewi's ward, added: “After the initial disturbance of doing this work I am confident that this scheme will be a great opportunity for local people to be more active and to engage with each other and reducing using their cars.”

It is hoped that further financial support will enable Cyngor Gwynedd to continue with further work in the area in the future.