Monmouthshire County Council is developing Active Travel routes across Abergavenny and Llanfoist to better connect residents with local destinations and public transport services. Our aim is to improve access to education, employment, shops, services and community facilities, helping to create sustainable, resilient and well-connected communities.
By making it easier and safer to walk, wheel and cycle for everyday journeys, we can support healthier lifestyles, reduce reliance on car travel and improve connections between neighbourhoods and key destinations.
Llanfoist to Abergavenny Active Travel Bridge
We are focusing on active travel links between Llanfoist and Abergavenny, with our route designed around a new active travel bridge crossing the River Usk between Merthyr Road and Castle Meadows, and associated links for more attractive and direct sustainable travel routes between Llanfoist and Abergavenny.
Monmouthshire County Council has secured £10.4m from Welsh Government’s Active Travel Fund for construction of the bridge and connecting routes, for safer, more attractive and direct sustainable travel routes into Llanfoist and Abergavenny. Construction will include connecting route improvement works on Castle Meadows and Llanfoist links (see below). This work is planned to start in early 2026, with phased work continuing into 2027. The timings of works are affected by river levels and ecological restrictions. This phase of work will include:
- A steel framed, 3-metre wide pedestrian and cycling bridge across the River Usk
- Bi-Lingual signage
- Connections to Merthyr Road and Castle Meadows paths
Castle Meadows
The focus in Castle Meadows is to provide new paths and improve existing routes that connect the Active Travel bridge with Abergavenny, while also creating a link to Merthyr Road.
As the scheme develops, further work will explore opportunities to improve additional paths within the meadows, subject to available funding. Castle Meadows is a Special Area of Conservation with sensitive habitats and wildlife, and these environmental considerations will play an important role in shaping the plans.
A connecting route through Ysbyty Fields remains a long-term aspiration. However, this will depend on resolving land ownership issues and securing future funding.
Some of the proposed paths form part of the Llanfoist to Abergavenny Active Travel scheme, with construction due to begin in 2026 (see above).
This phase of work will include:
- Links into existing paths on Castle Meadows
- Path upgrades to some paths on Castle Meadows, to accommodate shared use
- Ramps to the active travel bridge (see above)
- Bi-Lingual signage
- Gates and fencing where necessary
Llanfoist Links
The Llanfoist Links project will improve Active Travel connections on the Llanfoist side of the River Usk. Selected routes will be developed to better connect the new Active Travel bridge with Llanfoist, making it easier for people to walk, wheel and cycle between key destinations.
The WelTAG (Welsh Transport Appraisal Guidance) study, which explored options for improving connections between Llanfoist and Abergavenny, identified potential upgrades along Merthyr Road and through The Cutting.
Due to current funding constraints, it will not be possible to deliver all of the improvements identified through the study at this stage, as completing the Active Travel bridge remains the priority. However, some route improvements will be included as part of the Llanfoist to Abergavenny construction works, which are scheduled to begin in 2026 (see above).
This phase of work will include
- Connections to the Active Travel bridge
- Upgrades to footways and crossing facilities in Llanfoist
Core Active Travel network development across Abergavenny
Active Travel routes across Abergavenny are regularly assessed for inclusion in the Welsh Government’s Active Travel Network Map (ATNM). These assessments identify opportunities for small-scale improvements that can make walking, wheeling and cycling safer, easier and more accessible.
Examples of these improvements include installing dropped kerbs, tactile paving, cycle parking and other measures that help remove barriers and improve connections across the network.
Abergavenny Active Travel locality map
Click on image to enlarge
