THERE have been fresh calls for a safe cycleway between two Meirionnydd towns, but the plans face “a number of engineering challenges”, Gwynedd Council has revealed.

Sarah Palfreyman and her family have a chalet in Tywyn and often cycle when staying in the area.

She believes a cycle path between Aberdyfi and Tywyn would ease congestion and make cycling safer.

But Gwynedd Council have revealed the plans, which have been in the pipeline for a number of years, face “a number of engineering challenges”.

Sarah said: “We’ve never risked cycling on the road as driving on it makes it clear how dangerous it would be, especially with a six-year-old and a 10-year-old.

“We regularly cycle the Dolgellau to Barmouth path along the estuary because it’s so safe and the kids love it, but it would be nice to have a different option. The path from Tywyn to Aberdyfi would allow us to cycle as a family.

“We have a chalet in Tywyn and it’s nice to get out and about but we always have to drive. The path would also reduce parking and travel congestion. Hopefully it will also bring more tourists. I think both sides could win out of this situation from a tourism perspective.”

Plans for a path were first discussed in 2017. In September that year, the public were invited to view new ‘active travel’ schemes across Gwynedd, with one proposal indicating a cyclepath linking Aberdyfi and Tywyn.

Charlie Evans, the Conservative candidate for Dwyfor Meirionnydd at last week's Senedd election, believes there is still demand for a cycle path. He said: “My inbox has been filling up with lots of queries from cyclists about some real dangers along the A493 between Aberdyfi and Tywyn. It’s a fast road with some nasty corners. It’s been on the agenda for a while but nothing has come to fruition.”

Gwynedd Council said it had secured Active Travel funding to develop plans for a path but “there are a number of engineering challenges to overcome in order to ensure that the path would be to the necessary standards”.

“Our officers will be carrying out discussions with relevant landowners in the area regarding possible purchase of land to enable work on a new path to get under way,” a spokesperson said.

“We hope to resolve these matters in the current financial year so work can get under way in the near future should necessary funding be available.”