Swansea council has given the go-ahead for the opening phase of a one-mile (1.3km) shared-use riverside cycle and footpath scheme on 27 August 2026, moving forward a project that could eventually cost £8m and reshape how residents and visitors move through the city's waterfront.
The 325-metre first section will run along the west bank of the River Tawe, connecting Coles Close at the Tawe bridges area to the True Student residential complex. This initial phase represents the first tangible step in a longer vision: a complete route that will eventually stretch to White Rock Bridge, linking Swansea's city centre with the former Hafod-Morfa Copperworks site and the stadium.
The approval came despite concerns raised during consultation about moped riders potentially misusing the path and other anti-social behaviour. Swansea council's highways team concluded that it was not feasible to restrict access to the shared-use path in a way that would prevent unlawful moped use, and the application proceeded on that basis. Similar issues have affected other river paths in Wales: police increased patrols on Cardiff's Taff Trail after reports of youths in balaclavas targeting cyclists and pedestrians, demonstrating that anti-social behaviour on waterside routes is a wider regional challenge.
How will the path be designed for safety and access?
Low-level lighting will be installed along the new path to enhance visibility and create a sense of security during evening and early morning hours. The council's application also specified that emergency vehicle access will be maintained where necessary, ensuring that the route does not compromise response times for services.
The existing path at the True Student development was identified as substandard and not compliant with Active Travel guidance, so this section will be upgraded as part of the works. Native trees and shrubs will be planted in clusters along the route, with wildflowers seeded on verges and embankments to enhance the natural environment and biodiversity.
What is the funding and timeline for the full scheme?
The project is funded through a combination of sources: £6.6 million from the Welsh Government's regional transport fund, £1.4 million from the UK Government, and a £250,000 developer contribution. In April 2026, Swansea council's cabinet approved an £8.2m budget covering three years of work, including surveys and project management.
The full route is expected to be delivered over approximately three years, with construction and phased rollout continuing after this initial approval. The second phase will extend a further 960 metres toward White Rock Bridge, with the scheme being built in three phases rather than two, allowing for staged delivery and management of construction impacts.
What other riverside developments are planned?
The cycle path forms part of a broader transformation of Swansea's Tawe corridor. Separately, the council is restoring two former engine houses near White Rock Bridge and installing river pontoons as part of the wider waterfront enhancement. The area will also serve as the base station for the Skyline leisure attraction, a cable car system that will cross the Tawe to Kilvey Hill, where work has begun on a £49m downhill karting project that includes a cable car, zipline, and café.
Swansea's longer-term vision for the Tawe corridor has included the idea of connecting west and east bank paths into a complete waterfront circuit, with council planning documents noting that linked paths could create a 2-mile circuit for cycling and walking. The new riverside path represents a significant step toward realising that ambition.
What happens next?
Construction will now focus on delivering the approved 325-metre first section between Coles Close and the True Student development. Once this section is complete and operational, attention will turn to the subsequent phases that will extend the path progressively toward White Rock Bridge. A design and access statement noted that the route may be temporarily unusable during severe flooding events but should recover quickly once water levels recede.
Key Facts
- First phase of 325 metres approved on 27 August 2026, connecting Coles Close to True Student complex
- Full one-mile route will eventually link Tawe bridges area to White Rock Bridge and the stadium
- Funded by £6.6m Welsh Government, £1.4m UK Government, and £250,000 developer contribution
- Project expected to take three years to complete across three phases
- Low-level lighting and emergency vehicle access included in design; native planting planned along route
