Powys County Council has secured Welsh Government funding to make safer walking routes for pupils at a Brecon primary school, as well as create a new pedestrian crossing.

The 'Safe Routes in Community Active Travel' project will take place near the Priory Church in Wales School in the town.

Identified on the Active Travel Network Maps (ATNM) by the community and school, the existing footpaths were described as poor or unsuitable for making journeys by foot, particularly for those travelling to and from the school.

The project has been designed to address these issues and improve access to the school and will be the first step in developing a wider local active travel network throughout Brecon.

The scheme will improve active travel provision for pedestrians by upgrading the existing paths on Pendre Road and Pendre Close. 

The project will upgrade and widen the existing footpath on Pendre Close towards the school and will make improvements to walking provision at the Pendre/Pendre Close junction.

The scheme will also establish a second pedestrian crossing on Pendre Road, to enable a safe crossing for pedestrians travelling from Peppercorn Lane.

Improvements will also be made to the pedestrian footway across the cathedral car park entrance.

Cllr Jackie Charlton, Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys said: “This Safe Routes in Community Active Travel project in Brecon will make such a positive difference to families with children at the Priory Church in Wales School.

“Not only will the improvements to the infrastructure and access make it safer to walk to school, but it will also encourage families to leave the car at home – improving their health and wellbeing, reducing carbon emissions and helping combat climate change.

“Welsh Government have made it clear that active travel must be the natural mode of choice for short everyday journeys, or as part of a longer journey in combination with other sustainable modes, and the continued investment into practical active travel routes within Powys, like this project in Brecon, will help us achieve this vision.”