WALES’ transport minister has praised volunteers in a “hugely productive” meeting over the future of safer access to Barmouth Bridge.

Barmouth Viaduct Access Group met with Welsh economy and transport minister Ken Skates on the town’s harbourside last week to explain about the ambitious project to provide a safe traffic-free link between the town and the bridge.

Looking across from the harbour, Barmouth mayor Jamie Brooks described the proposed route which would extend Barmouth’s harbourside and provide a cycle and pedestrian access sitting just above the shoreline and winding around the entrance to the Mawddach Estuary.

Cllr Brooks pointed out that the route would give access for disabled people to get to the bridge and that, as well as providing a vital missing link on national cycle and walking routes, it would provide a quality traffic-free link for commuters between Fairbourne and Barmouth.

Mr Skates AM, who was in Barmouth alongside a senior officer from the Welsh Government’s Active Travel programme, walked the hazardous road journey along the A496 as it twists between a narrow gorge where pedestrians, cyclists and buses vie for space on a busy stretch of road between the town and the start of the footpath across Barmouth Bridge.

He looked at the proposed plans for the route and told the group he was impressed that local volunteers had developed the scheme to this stage.

He also indicated that he could see that the bridge and proposed access are not just important for the local economy and safety, but would also provide a piece of infrastructure that is important to the whole of Wales.

He went on to point out that the Welsh Government is making an additional £60m available for councils to bid for on schemes that enable road journeys to be replaced by walking and cycling journeys.

Cllr Gethin Williams added that he would have no hesitation in advising Gwynedd Council to give this scheme high priority.

He added: “I think that the scheme has now got to the stage where it is a real possibility and I would like to see Gwynedd Council putting in place a project manager to take it forward.”

Following the visit B-VAG member Graham Hogg, who had invited the cabinet minister, told the Cambrian News that he felt the visit had been a success.

“I know that Mr Skates was extremely impressed by what he saw and he also sees the real potential for this scheme as something that will really improve our economy and environment. The whole B-VAG team now feels that this project has a real future and is deliverable,” he said.