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About the project

The 4.7km Sandfields Active Travel & Public Space Improvements Project aims to make everyday journeys, such as going to school, the shops, to work or to the beach — easier and safer without needing a car. The scheme will create a continuous, accessible route linking the seafront with National Cycle Network Route 4 on the Afan Way dual carriageway, forming a circular route.

The project also forms a key part of ongoing regeneration work at the seafront and supports the Aberavon Seafront Masterplan, ensuring that public space improvements across the community work together to deliver long term benefits.


Key Improvements

Enhanced Footways and Walking Facilities

• Delivery of new and upgraded footways across the project area, including completing missing links, such as the currently absent section on Purcel Avenue near the Naval Club.

• Widening of shared‑use paths, including sections along Solar Way and the footway surrounding the playground.

• Resurfacing of worn and damaged pavements, with priority locations including parts of Victoria Road.
   

Improved Cycling Network

• Introduction of dedicated cycle lanes along Princess Margaret Way, helping separate cyclists from general traffic and reducing the need for cycling on the busy promenade.

• On‑road cycling routes on Handel Avenue, Purcell Avenue, Scarlet Avenue and St Paul’s Road, supported by selective, minimal traffic‑calming measures designed to manage vehicle speeds and improve cyclist safety.

• Installation of new cycle parking.
   

Safer Crossing Points

• Installation of 8 new Toucan crossings on Princess Margaret Way and Victoria Road.

• Delivery of 5 new Parallel crossings in busy areas, including Solar Way and the Princess Margaret Way / Dalton Road / Western Avenue roundabout.

• More than 50 new or upgraded uncontrolled crossings, including the addition of dropped kerbs, tactile paving and improved kerb alignments.

• Renewal of crossings at the Victoria Road / Hospital Road / Newbridge Road junction.
   

Better Bus Facilities

• Introduction of a new bus stop opposite Remo’s, supporting revised bus routing along the seafront.

• Replacement or installation of bus shelters where they are missing or outdated.
   

Public Realm and Greening Enhancements

• High‑quality public realm upgrades at three key locations:

  - The area around Memo Beach Café.

  - The space adjacent to the Skate Park.

  - The approaches to Tywyn Primary School.

These improvements may include new seating, planting, surfacing, signage and landscaping to create safer, more welcoming community spaces.

• Additional planting, greenery pockets and landscaping treatments throughout the project area to enhance biodiversity, soften the streetscape and make the area more pleasant.

Parking, Loading, and Road User Improvements

• New loading and servicing bays near Francos and Memo Café, helping manage deliveries safely and reduce informal loading on pavements.

• Additional parking spaces along the seafront, including:

• Two new disabled bays and 19 standard bays near Memo Café.

• Four new disabled bays and 18 standard bays opposite the Four Winds.

• A net gain of approximately three parking spaces along the seafront overall.

• Measures to prevent illegal pavement parking, using a combination of double yellow lines, bollards and planting to protect footways and maintain safe pedestrian routes.

Road Resurfacing

• Full resurfacing of the Princess Margaret Way carriageway, improving journey quality for all road users.

Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Transport and Connectivity, Councillor Wyndham Griffiths said:

“Official data shows that in parts of Sandfields, fewer than half of households own a car, which makes our active travel scheme even more important. Nonetheless, these plans for Sandfields and Aberavon seafront offer a good balance of improvements for everyone, whether you drive, cycle or walk.

“I strongly encourage anyone who lives in or visits these areas to have their say on the proposals which would offer improved safety and better-connected routes, whilst also lifting the overall appearance."

Have Your Say:

We are now seeking public feedback to help finalise the design proposals, our survey closes on 11^th March 2026. 

Complete the survey by visiting: www.npt.gov.uk/activetravel 

If you have further questions or would like to discuss the proposals in more detail, we invite you to attend one of our face‑to‑face engagement events at Aberavon Leisure Centre:

• Monday, 2nd March – 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM

• Saturday, 7th March – 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Members of the project team will be available throughout these sessions to talk you through the plans, answer questions and record any feedback.

Paper copies of all downloadable materials, including the survey and supporting plans, are also available from Sandfields Library, Port Talbot Library, and Neath Library for those who prefer to review the proposals offline.

You can also contact the team at: activetravel@npt.gov.uk