COMMUNITY leaders are calling for a “desperately needed” cycle route linking two Gwynedd villages.

Despite welcoming plans for new multi-use pathways linking both Bethel and Llanrug with Caernarfon, a lack of options linking both villages with each other have prompted calls for a rethink.

With Bethel currently having no local shops, it means that the nearest amenities and secondary education is found two miles away in Llanrug.

But according to community leaders the only access route is the narrow Ffordd Crawia, which has a 60mph limit and no safe walkway.

“The main high school for Bethel is Ysgol Brynrefail which is located on the road linking both villages,” said Cllr Sion Jones, who represents the village on Gwynedd Council and chairs a new committee calling for such a walking and cycling route.

“Linking the villages would give the younger generations an opportunity when weather permits to ride or walk the short distance safely. Encouraging healthier life choices and encouraging greener travelling habits in the younger generations.

“As many children will want to take part in after school activities throughout their time in high school, those who need to use the school bus to get to and from school are disadvantaged, as they currently must either travel the unsafe route along Ffordd Crawia or miss out all together on these extracurricular activities.”

But while plans are in place to directly link Caernarfon and Llanrug, with work already in place on a cycle route between Bethel and Caernarfon, some claim it would be more cost effective to add on a link between Bethel and Llanrug to the work already underway.

Steven Jones, the committee’s vice-chair, said: “We really feel that this project should be given serious consideration and are hopeful they will reconsider the case being put forward and find a way to progress it, given the support the local and wider communities have shown with an online petition for the project now at approximately 750 signatures.

“This option would serve the same end goal of linking Llanrug and Caernarfon but would also have the added benefit of directly linking Bethel and Llanrug.”

Mr Jones added: “It should be stressed that as a village we’re very grateful for the funds and work that has already started to link the village to Caernarfon.

“But we envisage that the linking of the villages could be done by either utilising the old Padarn Railway line (Dinorwic Quarry track) which is currently overgrown and sits unused for most of the route between both villages, or utilising the council owned grass verges and purchasing a small amount of private land at the narrower sections.”

Llanrug councillor Beca Brown said: “As part of my election campaign one of my fundamental beliefs is that we need an open and intelligent debate around travel, to include traffic congestion, parking, public services, cycling, walking and the environment, as a whole.

“Walking and cycling bring great benefit to people’s health and wellbeing, so I would certainly welcome an intelligent debate around all of the issues with interested stakeholders.”

In response, Gwynedd Council said that  £3.6m of Welsh Government funding had been secured, with the view of encouraging more people to leave their cars at home and walk or cycle for their personal well-being and for the benefit of the environment.

A spokesperson added: “Work is progressing well on several schemes in the Llanrug and Bethel area, contributing to the wider network of paths which connect Gwynedd’s communities.”

Releasing more information on each individual project, they added: “The Bethel to Caernarfon route will be a standard roadside path specifically for pedestrians and cyclists as the road is currently narrow and unsuitable for pedestrians and some cyclists.

“The first phase of the scheme has started with SJ & S Williams appointed to build a route between Bethel and the new bypass.

“It is hoped to be completed by the summer. Preparation work for the second phase – between the bypass and Caernarfon – will then be carried out.”

On the Llanberis to Caernarfon route they went on to say, “When completed, this route will stretch for 7.5 miles and run parallel to the A4086 road.

“This plan is divided into four phases, with the route between the villages of Cwm-y-glo and Llanrug and between Llanberis and Brynrefail already completed.

“The next phase of connecting Brynrefail and Cwm-y-glo is underway, and will include the creation of a new roundabout at the A4244 / A4086 junction. A route linking Llanrug and Caernarfon will then follow.

“Initial research has been undertaken, however this project will be challenging and further work will need to be completed before work on the path itself can start.”