Cycle path bridges' 'ugly' design

Residents say the bridges are angular and ugly

Two bridges carrying a cycle way over the A55 have been criticised by residents for "hideous design".

The structures span the carriageway at Llanfairfechan and Penmaenmawr in Conwy to allow cyclists and walkers to cross.

Penmaenmawr resident Ann Ruffell said it was a missed opportunity to have "something curved and beautiful" crossing the road.

The Welsh Assembly Government said the bridges were chosen for safety, ease of maintenance, and value for money.

"I just thought how hideous when I saw the bridges going up," said Ms Ruffell.

It reminds me of the walkways in Leeds shopping malls Kenneth Kearton-Smith, Llanfairfechan resident

"I am looking forward to walking that way, but was hoping for something more elegant than the bolted together bailey bridges they've put there," she added.

Ms Ruffell said it was a missed opportunity to get "something curved and beautiful".

The angle of the bridges would also make it difficult for cyclists to use them, she said.

"It's going to be quite difficult to go round the right angled bends because there is going to be a sharp left followed by a sharp right," she added.

The cycle path bridge on the Llanfairfechan side

Kenneth Kearton-Smith, who lives in the house closest to the bridge at Llanfairfechan, said: "I think it's an engineering project that never got past that.

"It reminds me of the walkways in Leeds shopping malls.

"There is no aesthetic value at all," he added.

A Welsh Assembly Government spokesperson said the objective was to deliver a safe route for walking and cycling over this section of road.

"We have achieved this within the agreed budget and timescale," he said.

"The design of the bridge was chosen to meet a number of criteria, including safety, ease of maintenance, and value for money.

"The design, which is in keeping with other footbridges in the area, was also constrained by the location and close proximity to the tunnel."