Rhyl is fortunate to have received funding for a new bridge over the Foryd Harbour which will be both an iconic attraction as well as an additional much needed crossing for tourists and residents alike who are cyclists and pedestrians, an overall boost for the West end of Rhyl.
The bridge will close the gap in National Cycle Route 5. The North Wales coast is immensely popular with both local cyclists and cycling tourism. Currently the Blue Bridge is the only gap in this popular cycle route and cyclists have to dismount to cross over the Foryd and even then there is little space to pass pedestrians. Likewise, the new bridge will be fully accessible to people in wheelchairs, mobility scooters and those with pushchairs and prams as well as cyclists. The bridge will provide a much safer and easier passage, particularly during high season when the blue bridge is congested with pedestrians. The bridge will also link existing and proposed developments either side of the Foryd Harbour and will be a landmark bridge, providing a truly distinctive and iconic attraction to bring tourists into the area thus aiding the regeneration of West Rhyl. It complements both extensive harbour regeneration plans as well as the private sector developments due on the Ocean Plaza site across the road.
The proposed bridge crosses the harbour seaward of the Blue Bridge. The landing point on West parade will be approximately opposite Quay Street. The bridge is a bascule bridge which will open to allow boats access to the harbour. It is anticipated the proposals for the bridge will go to planning committee in March 2011. We have carried out public consultations in Rhyl and Kimnel Bay. A significant amount of prefabrication of the bridge will take place off site during 2011 and subject to planning consent, it is anticipated site works will start early in 2012 with the bridge being completed within 6 months of starting on site.
£3.75m from the Welsh Government of European Regional Development Funding and £450,000 from the Big Lottery Fund through Sustrans, the Sustainable Transport Charity has been confirmed. We are very fortunate to have secured funding for such a modern, iconic attraction which will bring visitors in and contribute to the local economy as well as being a great resource for residents and along with all of the other developments in the area, the west end of Rhyl will change dramatically for the better over the forthcoming years. We are yet to name the bridge and will be giving the opportunity for local people to put forward suggestions and will keep you informed of how you can get involved. For more images of the bridge, a technical description and further details, please see the attached documents on our documents, links and information page. For any other information, please contact the Rhyl Going Forward team.
(pdf, 505.69 KB) Foryd Harbour Bridge Location Plan
(pdf, 3,470.19 KB)
