Newtown to become travel "demonstrator town"

Plans to improve walking and cycling routes and provide better bike parking in Newtown will be outlined to town councillors on Monday.

Transport for Wales project manager Ryan Moreland will attend Newtown Town Council next week to explain what Newtown’s selection as an active travel “demonstrator town” could mean for residents.

TfW has identified new routes, better surfaces, dropped kerbs, lighting and signs among the improvements it will consider. Adult cycle training is also an option.

The organisation says: “We expect to improve the provision of bicycle parking in the town centre and at the rail station, this may include secure options.”

The programme aims to encourage more people to walk, wheel or cycle to work, school, shops and other everyday destinations.

Newtown was selected to test whether combining improvements to routes with practical support can change how people travel.

TfW’s business plan for 2026–27 states: “We’ll co-ordinate a multi-year programme of schemes to make Newtown our walking, wheeling and cycling demonstrator town.”

It will assess whether the work increases the number of people choosing those forms of transport.

Mr Moreland is due to explain the programme’s aims and how TfW and Newtown Town Council can work together. Councillors will also choose a representative for the project’s liaison group.

TfW says the work will complement Powys County Council’s active travel network plans, with the main focus on Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn.

Residents and businesses were asked about barriers to walking and cycling during an engagement exercise that ended in March.

The programme also covers “wheeling”, including journeys made using wheelchairs, mobility scooters and other mobility aids.

Individual schemes, costs and construction dates are not detailed in Monday’s agenda.