A CEREDIGION path has been upgraded to improve active travel.

The path at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David Lampeter Campus was identified for upgrade a number of years ago as part of the Active Travel route proposals for Lampeter.

The scheme included works to include a dropped kerb and tactile paving within the town to help improve accessibility, particularly for the mobility and visually impaired community.

There has also been enhancements for the biodiversity of the area, including new bird and bat nest boxes, new mature trees planted, the reinstatement of an otter holt on the river and new swales to assist with water run-off.

Keith Henson, Ceredigion County Council cabinet member for highways and environmental services and carbon management, said: “I’m grateful to Highways and Environmental Services officers for making a successful grant application to the Welsh Government and developing and managing the construction of this scheme.

“This path previously became very muddy during the winter months and now we have a two-metre-wide tarmac path providing much improved year-round accessibility for pedestrians, mobility users and young families with pushchairs.

“We want people to make more active travel journeys instead of using their cars in our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint and help in the fight against climate change and this path also provides leisure and recreational benefits with access to this green and peaceful riverside path which can also provide healthier lifestyles and mental health wellbeing opportunities.

“This path also links into the new footway constructed on Llanfair Clydogau Road, as part of the new housing estate development nearby.”

Emyr Jones, the university’s executive head of property and estate development, said: “I am most grateful to Ceredigion County Council for improving accessibility to our campus following the grant funded upgrade to this popular riverside path. This not only provides environmental improvements but enhances connectivity between the campus and the town.

“The local community now have improved access to the services and facilities on our site such as our sports hall and café, whilst our staff and students can make easier trips to a range of facilities within the town.

“Our green spaces have also been enhanced with the planting of new trees as part of this scheme, which compliments another project supported by the council in planting 200 trees on campus as part of our recent bicentenary celebrations.

“This is a great example of effective partnership working between Ceredigion County Council and ourselves to enhance local facilities and the environment.”

The work was funded by an active travel fund grant award from the Welsh Government and delivered by the council.