A decades-old byelaw has been amended in Neath Port Talbot to enable a new active travel route through one of the area's best-known parks, bringing plans for a cycle path linking Neath with Cimla a step closer.
The change follows a council decision in 2023 to develop the route between Neath and the village of Cimla, which would allow people to walk or cycle through the town's war memorial gate.
Byelaw Amendment Approved
A report presented to councillors said the byelaw, originally made by Neath Borough Council in 1975, would be amended to support the scheme and improve safety for residents. The amendment permits cycling through the memorial gates, along the access to the bottom pond in the Gnoll Country Park, and on the path between the bottom pond and Cimla Crescent.
The scheme was first approved because the current active travel provision along the B4287 Cimla Road and Afan Valley Road was described as poor for walkers and cyclists, due to high volumes and speed of traffic.
Restricted Cycling Areas
Speaking at a full council meeting, Cllr Alun Llewellyn said the move would permit cycling along clearly designated sections through the memorial gardens and Gnoll grounds, but would not allow unrestricted cycling across the wider pleasure ground area. He also noted an impact assessment which said the amendments would not negatively affect protected groups, with risks managed by limiting cycling to defined areas alongside appropriate signage and monitoring.
The report warned that without approval, the proposed active travel route through the pleasure grounds could not be implemented in its current form. It stated: "Should members not be minded to approve the proposed amendments to the 1975 byelaws, the existing byelaws would remain in force without amendment. This would maintain the current prohibition on cycling within the pleasure grounds and preserve the existing management arrangements for those areas. However, the proposed active travel route through the pleasure grounds could not be implemented in its current form and the council's objectives of improving sustainable transport connectivity between Neath and Cimla would not be achieved through this route."
Plans Approved
The plans were approved by council bosses. They follow a £12m makeover of Gnoll Country Park in 2025, which included development of a new visitor centre, a children's play area, and repair works to the Gnoll House ruin.
