Sustrans Cymru
Getting Wales moving
Foreword by Lee Waters, Director of Sustrans Cymru For over 30 years Sustrans has been working to enable as many people as possible to make smarter travel choices. In 1995, Sustrans set out a vision of a network of routes for walking and cycling that linked the country. Today there are more than 1,200 miles of the National Cycle Network in Wales alone, more than 12,600 miles across the UK. Whether for everyday journeys to work or school, or weekend trips with the family, the routes enable people of all ages and backgrounds to get around in ways which benefit their health and the environment.
Though it is hard to put a price on the sense of wellbeing or freedom our work encourages, calculations have been made of the economic value of Sustrans’ work. Even using the Department for Transport’s rather narrow appraisal methods, schemes that enable people to walk and cycle more consistently achieve DfT’s ‘high value for money’ threshold. This is a marked contrast to other transport schemes like road and heavy rail where the benefit-cost ratios seldom get even close to this threshold. We are confident of the value
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Of course there is much more to do. And the challenges we face around climate change, obesity and energy scarcity make the need for further change ever more urgent.
About Sustrans Sustrans is the charity that’s enabling people to travel by foot, bike or public transport for more of the journeys we make every day. Our vision is a world in which people choose to travel in ways that benefit their health and our environment. Our mission is to influence practice and shape policy so everyone can travel by foot, bike or public transport for more of the journeys we make every day. ÎÎ we’re a catalyst – we make smarter travel choices possible
Lee Waters
Director - Sustrans Cymru Get in touch with Lee: Tel. 029 2065 0602 or email lee.waters@sustrans.org.uk
ÎÎ we campaign – we make smarter travel choices desirable ÎÎ we influence – we make smarter travel choices inevitable This report is just a snapshot of what Sustrans is achieving in Wales. To find out about all our work visit: www.sustrans.org.uk
Photo by Mike Fitchie, winner of the people’s choice section of our ‘Sights, camera, action’ photo competition.
But our work as a charity isn’t just about paths. Just as important is giving people the information, and often the confidence, to travel more by foot, bike or public transport. As you’ll see in our report we deliver a wide range of work to enable people to make smarter travel choices. Our work shows that change is not only possible, but delivers a multitude of benefits.
of our work in Wales and proud of the partnerships we have forged over the last fifteen years to deliver it. From the Welsh Assembly Government, to all the main agencies and every Local Authority in Wales we have worked in partnership with to create public spaces that enable many more people to walk and cycle.
Extending people’s travel choices with value-for-money solutions Sustrans, and our many partners, is developing and extending walking and cycling routes across the old south Wales coalfield. With the Valleys Cycle Network we are creating 100 miles of walking and cycling paths for less than the cost of two miles of road. ÎÎ An additional 600,000 people (20% of the Welsh population) will soon live within two miles of a high quality network of routes, adding to the benefits that the National Cycle Network is already bringing to Wales. Surveys already reveal shoppers, commuters and school children using the paths more. ÎÎ During 2009 nearly 29 million walking and cycling trips were made on the Network in Wales. ÎÎ The potential carbon dioxide saving of these trips in a year is over 63,000 tonnes, valued at £3.2 million. ÎÎ The health benefits of cycling on the Network in Wales in 2009 were worth £20.5 million.
High quality networks of routes are crucial in enabling people to walk and cycle, but just as important is direct access over short distances. All too often people are within walking distance of where they want to get to, but a busy road, a river or a railway line forces them to travel much further to arrive safely. ÎÎ Sustrans won a public vote to secure the largest Big Lottery Fund grant ever to develop walking and cycling networks that focus on new direct links. As a result Sustrans’ Connect2 is changing lives in nine towns across Wales where we are working with communities and local authorities to enable people to make everyday journeys on foot and bike. ÎÎ The impressive Pont y Werin over the river Ely linking Cardiff Bay to Penarth is part of one of many Connect2 networks being delivered UK-wide that will benefit as many as six million people.
Duncan Baird was delighted with the opening of the new People’s Bridge in June 2010. His daily commute previously involved two train connections and a cycle ride to reach Cardiff’s University Wales Hospital from his home in Penarth. Now he has a direct and cheaper journey, and he’s much fitter.
“I no longer have to rely on train connections that sometimes arrive late or not at all to get home on time. I know exactly when I am going to arrive home, at long last.” —Duncan Baird
ÎÎ The work underway is with support from EU Convergence funding, the Welsh Assembly Government and the Valleys Regional Park project. Sustrans is co-ordinating the ambitious project, working in partnership with the regional transport consortia of Local Authorities, Sewta and SWWITCH.
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Creating streets for people Speeding motorists, too many cars and litter on their streets are high on the list of residents’ complaints in communities throughout Wales. As a result people retreat indoors, neighbours rarely meet and chat, kids don’t play outside, and people feel unable to walk or cycle from their front door, the place that most journeys begin and end. Reducing traffic speed is crucial to changing this. In Wales Sustrans has piloted a new approach to traffic-calming, partnering with residents on three streets to transform their local environment through simple changes to the design and layout. Small changes, such as placing planters at strategic places, puts responsibility for reducing speed on the drivers passing through. The results in Somerset Street in Cardiff reveal that the benefits extend far beyond just reducing speed: ÎÎ 33% of residents now spend more time with their neighbours. 87% of residents now say the street is safe for children, compared to just 11% before. ÎÎ 80% of residents say that their street is now more welcoming for pedestrians. ÎÎ 74% say the artwork and other initiatives have improved the look of their street
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Sustrans work on DIY Streets is pioneering a completely new approach to street re-design by creating community-led value-for-money solutions to traffic problems that also improve community cohesion. Securing funding for the three-year project had proved challenging since transport budgets are generally “revenue poor”. Funders of the Welsh projects were the Esmee Fairburn Foundation, Cardiff City Council, Neath Port Talbot Council and the Valleys to Coast Housing Association. For Ian Williams of Cardiff’s Somerset Street, one of the greatest joys of the scheme has been seeing their two sons playing in the street, something they would have never allowed previously. Somerset Street is much the same as any other in the Grangetown area of Cardiff, with the usual problems of litter, speeding traffic and lack of colour. In Ian’s view Sustrans gave the residents of the street the chance to change things for the better. “This has made the street a safer place for the children to play in, whether it is riding their bikes, having a kick about with a football, or reading comics sat on the pavement in front of the house.”
“On a sunny day you will see children playing, on a wet day the street is brightened up by colourful flowers, but most importantly the residents, children and adults alike who took part can say we did this because of Sustrans.” —Ian Williams
Working with communities and volunteers to create great public spaces Pleasant surroundings are as important as direct and continuous access to inspiring people to want to walk and cycle. Sustrans has for many years commissioned artists to work with communities to create public art that reflects residents’ own experiences of their local areas. Our latest project is to create a new and extensive public portrait gallery. The first figure to be immortalised in steel was the late great Richard Burton.
“I’m hoping that my sculpture might be able to persuade Burton’s sculpture to quote some poetry of an evening, or at least a bit of War of the Worlds.” —Rob Brydon
He was one of three people chosen by the community of his native Afan Valley to grace a bench as a life-sized effigy. He now poses alongside Gavin and Stacey star Rob Brydon and local forest ranger Dick Wagstaff on a new path connecting Port Talbot with Cwmafan and the Afan Forest park. Graham Jenkins, Burton’s brother, said he would take time to a stroll along the new path “resting to enjoy the scenery with Richard for company”.
We are extremely lucky in Wales to benefit from the support of 300 people who volunteer for Sustrans, giving their time in support of our work. Many are rangers on the National Cycle Network, maintaining and promoting routes within their community, keeping them in a good state of repair to the benefit of all users, and running more than 100 walks and rides a year to introduce people to the Network. ÎÎ Many sections of the Network are also vital greenways for wildlife and biodiversity, and in 2010, the UN year of Biodiversity, newly trained volunteers are keeping track of animal and plant life on the Network in south east Wales ÎÎ A wide range of wildlife has been recorded by volunteers working on the Wildlife Champions Project, from butterflies to bats. This has included several invasive species, including Japanese knotweed and harlequin ladbybirds. ÎÎ Sustrans is working with a range of partner organisations to record the results of the surveys on national biodiversity databases and local authority records, contributing to a better understanding of our natural environment.
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Enabling people to increase their everyday physical activity 29% of adults in Wales are not physically active enough to benefit their health. And this percentage is growing, with all the consequences in terms of heart disease, obesity and related conditions, adding up to an enormous cost for Welsh taxpayers. It is well recognised by health professionals that enabling people to incorporate physical activity into their everyday lives, such as walking to the shops, or cycling to work, is the easiest and most costeffective way of reversing this trend. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has on several occasions issued guidance for government’s to invest in enabling people to walk and cycle as the best policy response to our spiralling obesity crisis. And there are so many other benefits too. Sustrans’ work in the south Wales valleys helps people living with physical or mental ill-
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health to make lifestyle changes to become fitter and healthier, and regain their confidence, make new friends, learn new skills and reconnect with their community along the way. With Lottery funding we organise weekly walks and bike rides. Interviews with participants reveal improved physical fitness, mental health and quality of life for participants Avril Lester and Cynthia Bowen made great strides after walking their way to fitness and friendship. The power walking pair from Pontlottyn, Caerphilly, became friends for life after putting their best feet forward at a Sustrans walking group. For Avril the exercise helped her recover from a hip replacement, enabling her to ditch her crutches and walking stick within a month. The 56 year-old has lost four stone and her blood pressure has dropped dramatically.
“I really didn’t want to take tablets for high blood pressure so I started coming along to this group once or twice a week and built it up from there to the point where I was walking up to 13 miles in a week.” —Avril Lester For 58-year-old Cynthia walking with Avril has lifted her mood and given her a much needed energy boost. “It (walking) stops you feeling down in the dumps so I enjoy it no matter what the weather is, and it has given me extra energy to take up other activities like swimming.
“It’s been a marvellous experience coming along to this group because it’s such a social thing to meet people like Avril - we’re best buddies now.” —Cynthia Bowen
Giving people the confidence and information they need to make a change Journeys to work and school make up a big percentage of traffic on our roads at peak times. Many of these will be short car trips, often less than a few miles, many of which could be made by foot, bike or public transport. Working with major employers, such as the NHS, and with children in schools, Sustrans is changing this. For John Cannon, head teacher of Ysgol Bryn Hedydd in Rhyl, the value of pedal power to pupil’s health and well-being cannot be underestimated. As John says,
“Leaving the car at home and saddling up can save parents up to eight minutes sitting in traffic, as well as pounds in petrol costs. Children also arrive at school with the cobwebs blown away and ready to learn - cycling to school really does make all round economic sense.” Between last Christmas and halfterm, his pupils made a record breaking 10,000 bike rides to school, and on Bike It day two thirds of children arrived by bike.
“Without Sustrans we wouldn’t have made this work. Their support has been fantastic and nothing has been too much to ask.” UK-wide 50% of children want to cycle regularly to school, but only 4% do.
In Wales Sustrans’ work on Bike It is giving kids the skills and confidence to bike to school, and parents and teachers the peace of mind to let them. ÎÎ 33% of children in schools in Wales where Sustrans works cycled to and from school more than once a week - up from 13%. ÎÎ In Cardiff the percentage of children cycling to school every day has quadrupled.
Working with eight hospital sites across Wales we are signing routes to major sites making it easier for commuters to reach their destination and we are working with the NHS to plan new hospitals to ensure good access by those arriving on foot and bike.
The 38-year-old administrator made the six mile round trip to the University Hospital of Wales from her Cardiff home. She was delighted not only to get home quicker, beating the rush hour traffic but to shed a couple of pounds in weight. As a result of Sustrans’ work, the wider NHS Trust is considering providing subsidised bikes for staff.
“I found the map really handy and although I am not a great map reader this one was easy to follow and could fit neatly in my handbag.” —Lucy Barrett
In addition, in the last eighteen months, Sustrans has ÎÎ helped install bike shelters with the Velindre NHS Trust and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board ÎÎ organised bike maintenance sessions and cycle training in five Cardiff city NHS sites ÎÎ launched maps that show local walking and cycling routes to five major Welsh hospitals Giving people something as simple as a map detailing walking, cycling and bus routes, really helps, as Lucy Barrett found when she saddled up and cycled to work for the first time using a Sustrans pocket map.
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Caergybi Holyhead
Cymudwr Byw
www.routes2ride.org.uk/wales
I gael rhagor o wybodaeth am archwilio’r gorau o’r Rhwydwaith Beicio Cenedlaethol yng Nghymru ewch i’n gwefan Routes2Ride: For more information on exploring the very best of the National Cycle Network in Wales go to our Routes2Ride website:
Routes2Ride
Georgina Harper 02920 650602 georgina.harper@sustrans.org.uk
Ar gyfer ymholiadau canolbwyntio ar y gymuned: For community focussed enquiries:
Claire Plowright 02920 650602 claire.plowright@sustrans.org.uk
Ar gyfer ymholiadau cysylltiedig â’r GIG cysylltwch â: For NHS related enquiries contact:
activetravelcymru@sustrans.org.uk
Os oes angen cymorth neu ganllawiau i annog staff yn eich gweithle i deithio’n fwy egniol, cysylltwch ag: If you need help or guidance in encouraging staff in your workplace to travel more actively, contact:
Getting Wales moving Sustrans in Wales
Cael Cymru i symud Sustrans yng nghymru
Aberystwyth Aberystwyth
Tywyn Tywyn
Bethesda Bethesda
Conwy Conwy
Bangor Bangor
Harlech Harlech
Rhyl Rhyl
Machynlleth Machynlleth
Dolgellau Dolgellau Y Trallwng Welshpool
Llangollen Llangollen
Rhaeadr Gwy
Llanidloes Llanidloes
Drenewydd Newtown
Y Bala Bala
Betws-y-Coed Betws-y-Coed
Y Fflint Flint Caer Chester
Croesoswallt Oswestry
Wrecsam Wrexham
Rhuthun Ruthin
Llanelwy St Asaph
Prestatyn Prestatyn
Dinbych Denbigh
Bae Colwyn Colwyn Bay
Trawsfynydd Trawsfynydd
Eryri Snowdonia
Abermaw Barmouth
Porthmadog Porthmadog
Caernarfon Caernarfon
Llangefni Llangefni
Llandudno Llandudno
Trefi gyda gorsaf drenau Towns with railway stations
Ffin Border
Lle rydym yn gweithio nawr Where we’re working now
Rhwydwaith Beicio Arfaethedig Proposed Cycle Network
Rhwydwaith Beicio’r Cymoedd Valleys Cycle Network
Rhwydwaith Beicio Cenedlaethol National Cycle Network
Doc Penfro Pembroke Dock
Cydweli Kidwelly Dinbych y Pysgod Tenby Porth Tywyn Burry Port
Caerfyrddin Carmarthen
Abertawe Swansea
Cas-Gwent Chepstow Cil-y-Coed Caldicot Casnewydd Newport
© October 2010 Sustrans Registered Charity No. 326550 (England and Wales) SCO39263 (Scotland) Photography: Sustrans, Owen Richards (p3,4,6,7) Peter Knowles (p5). Design: marcheatleydesign.com
© Hydref 2010 Sustrans Elusen Gofrestredig Rhif 326550 (Cymru a Lloegr) SCO39263 (Alban). Ffotograffiaeth: Sustrans, Owen Richards (t3,4,6,7) Peter Knowles (t5). Dylunio: marcheatleydesign.com
Exmoor
Caerffili Pontypridd Caerphilly Pontypridd Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr Bridgend Caerdydd
Rhondda Port TalbotRhondda Port Talbot
Pont-y-pwl Pontypool Cwmbran Cwmbran
Trefynwy Monmouth
Y Gelli Gandryll Hay-on-Wye
Y Fenni Abergavenny Brynmawr Brynmawr
Cardiff
Bannau Brycheiniog Brecon Beacons Merthyr Tudful Merthyr Tydfil
Llanelli Clydach Llanelli Clydach Castell Nedd Neath
Cross Hands Cross Hands
Llandeilo Llandeilo
Aberhonddu Brecon
Llandrindod Llandrindod Wells
Rhayader
Llanfair-ym-Muallt Builth Wells Llanbedr Pont Steffan Lampeter
Tregaron Tregaron
Tre-gwyr Gowerton
Castell Newydd Emlyn Newcastle Emlyn
Aberaeron Aberaeron
Photos (from top) 1. Lydia Harris from Mount Stuart Primary School in Cardiff who is immortilised in the Portrait Bench artwork at the new Cardiff-Penarth Connect2 bridge. 2. Fishing at Barry Sidings, Pontypridd. National Route 881, Rhondda Fach Trail. Photo by Ele Stubbs, winner of a Sustrans photo competition. 3. Trails galore in Wales. Photo: Owen Richards. 4. Sustrans’ school cycling project Bike It.
Penfro Pembroke
Hwlffordd Haverfordwest
Lluniau (o’r brig): Lydia Harris o Ysgol Gynradd Mount Stuart yng Nghaerdydd a anfarwolir ar waith celf y Bont Bortread ar bont Caerdydd-Penarth newydd Connect2. 2. Pysgota yn Barry Sidings, Pontypridd. Llwybr Cenedlaethol 881, Taith Rhondda Fach. Llun gan Ele Stubbs, enillydd cystadleuaeth ffotograffau Sustrans. 2. Llwybrau lu yng Nghymru. Llun Owen Richards. 4. Bike It, prosiect beicio ysgolion Sustrans.
Ty Ddewi St David's
Crymych www.sustrans.org.uk/activecommuter Crymych
I gael awgrymiadau, syniadau a chyngor ynglŷn â chynnwys cerdded a beicio yn eich trefn arferol bob dydd cofrestrwch i dderbyn Cymudwr Byw: For hints, tips and advice on building Aberteifi Cardigan walking and cycling into yourAbergwaun daily Fishguard routine sign up to Active Commuter:
Active Commuter
Rhoi’r hyder a’r wybodaeth sydd eu hangen ar bobl i newid Mae siwrneiau i’r gwaith ac i’r ysgol yn gyfrifol am ganran uchel o’r traffig ar ein ffyrdd ar amseroedd brig. Bydd nifer o’r rhain yn deithiau byr mewn car, yn aml yn llai nag ychydig filltiroedd, gyda llawer ohonynt yn rhai y gellid eu gwneud ar droed, beic neu drafnidiaeth gyhoeddus. Gan weithio gyda phrif gyflogwyr, megis y GIG, a gyda phlant mewn ysgolion, mae Sustrans yn newid hyn. Yn ôl John Cannon, Pennaeth Ysgol Bryn Hedydd, Y Rhyl, ni ellir tanbrisio gwerth pŵer pedalau ar iechyd a lles disgyblion. Fel y dywed John,
“Gall gadael y car gartref a defnyddio’r beic arbed wyth munud i rieni sy’n eistedd mewn traffig, yn ogystal â phunnoedd mewn costau petrol. Bydd plant hefyd yn cyrraedd yr ysgol wedi llwyr ddeffro ac yn barod i ddysgu - mae beicio i’r ysgol yn gwneud synnwyr economaidd cyffredinol.” Rhwng Nadolig a hanner tymor diwethaf, gwnaeth ei ddisgyblion 10,000 o siwrneiau beic i’r ysgol, ac ar ddiwrnod Bike It cyrhaeddodd dwy ran o dair o’r plant ar feic.
“Heb Sustrans ni fyddem wedi gwneud i hyn weithio. Mae eu cefnogaeth wedi bod yn ardderchog ac nid oedd dim yn ormod iddynt.” Ledled y DU mae 50% o blant eisiau beicio’n rheolaidd i’r ysgol, ond dim ond 4% sy’n gwneud hynny.
Yn Nghymru mae gwaith Sustrans gyda Bike It yn rhoi’r sgiliau a’r hyder i blant i feicio i’r ysgol, a thawelwch meddwl i rhieni ac athrawon i adael iddynt wneud hynny ÎÎ Mae 33% o blant ysgolion lle mae Sustrans yn gweithio yn beicio i’r ysgol ac adref fwy nag unwaith yr wythnos - i fyny o 13%. ÎÎ Yng Nghaerdydd mae canran y plant sy’n beicio i’r ysgol bob dydd wedi cynyddu bedair gwaith.
Drwy weithio gydag wyth safle ysbyty ledled Cymru rydym yn codi arwyddion ar gyfer llwybrau i brif safleoedd gan ei gwneud hi’n haws i gymudwyr gyrraedd pen eu taith, ac rydym yn gweithio gyda’r GIG i gynllunio ysbytai newydd er mwyn sicrhau mynediad da i’r rheiny sy’n cyrraedd ar droed ac ar feic.
ddefnyddio map poced Sustrans. Gwnaeth y weinyddwraig 38 oed y daith 6 milltir yno ac yn ôl i Ysbyty Athrofaol Cymru (YAC) o’i chartref yng Nghaerdydd. Roedd wrth ei bodd nid yn unig i gyrraedd adref yn gyflymach, gan guro traffig yr awr frig, ond hefyd collodd ychydig o bwysau. O ganlyniad i waith Sustrans mae’r Ymddiriedolaeth GIG yn ehangach yn ystyried darparu beiciau gyda chymhorthdal ar gyfer staff.
I mi roedd y map yn wirioneddol ddefnyddiol ac er nad wyf yn ddarllenwr mapiau mawr, roedd hwn yn un hawdd i’w ddilyn ac roedd yn ffitio’n daclus yn fy mag llaw.” —Lucy Barrett
Yn ogystal, dros y deunaw mis diwethaf mae Sustrans wedi ÎÎ cynorthwyo i osod cysgodfannau beiciau gydag Ymddiriedolaeth GIG Felindre a Bwrdd Iechyd Prifysgol Caerdydd a’r Fro ÎÎ trefnu sesiynau cynnal a chadw beiciau a hyfforddiant beicio mewn pum safle GIG yn ninas Caerdydd ÎÎ lansio mapiau sy’n dangos llwybrau cerdded a beicio lleol i bum prif ysbyty yng Nghymru Mae rhoi rhywbeth mor syml â map yn rhoi manylion llwybrau cerdded, beicio a bysiau i bobl yn helpu’n fawr, fel y gwelodd Lucy Barrett pan aeth ar ei beic i’w gwaith yn y tro cyntaf gan
Sustrans Cymru: Cael Cymru i Symud t7
Galluogi pobl i gynyddu eu gweithgaredd corfforol bob dydd Yng Nghymru nid yw 29% o’r oedolion yn ddigon corfforol egnïol i fod o fudd i’w hiechyd. Ac mae’r ganran hon yn tyfu, gyda’r holl ganlyniadau o ran clefyd y galon, gordewdra a chyflyrau cysylltiedig, gan greu cost aruthrol i drethdalwyr Cymru. Cydnabyddir yn eang gan weithwyr proffesiynol iechyd mai galluogi pobl i gynnwys gweithgaredd corfforol yn eu bywyd pob dydd, megis cerdded i’r siopau neu feicio i’r gwaith, yw’r ffordd hawsaf a mwyaf cost effeithiol o wrthdroi’r patrwm hwn. Ar sawl achlysur mae’r Sefydliad Cenedlaethol dros Ragoriaeth Glinigol (NICE) wedi cyhoeddi canllawiau i lywodraethau fuddsoddi mewn galluogi pobl i gerdded a beicio fel yr ymateb polisi gorau i’r argyfwng gordewdra sy’n cynyddu. Ac mae gymaint o fanteision eraill hefyd. Mae gwaith Sustrans yng Nghymoedd De Cymru yn cynorthwyo pobl sy’n byw gydag afiechyd corfforol neu feddyliol
i wneud newidiadau i’w ffordd o fyw er mwyn dod yn fwy heini ac iach, ac i adfer eu hyder, gwneud mwy o ffrindiau, dysgu sgiliau newydd ac ailgysylltu gyda’u cymuned ar hyd y ffordd. Gydag ariannu gan y Loteri rydym yn trefnu teithiau cerdded a beicio wythnosol. Mewn cyfweliadau gyda chyfranogwyr dywedant fod y teithiau yn rhoi gwell ffitrwydd corfforol, iechyd meddwl ac ansawdd bywyd iddynt. Mae Avril Lester a Cynthia Bowen wedi gwneud camau mawr wedi iddynt gerdded eu ffordd i ffitrwydd a chyfeillgarwch. Daeth y ddwy gerddwraig egnïol o Bontlotyn, Caerffili, yn ffrindiau oes wedi iddynt ymuno yng ngrŵp cerdded Sustrans. I Avril, sy’n 56 oed, bu’r ymarfer corff yn gymorth iddi adfer ar ôl triniaeth clun newydd a llwyddodd i gael gwared ar ei baglau a’i ffon gerdded o fewn mis i’r driniaeth. Mae hefyd wedi colli pedair stôn ac mae ei phwysedd gwaed wedi gostwng yn ddramatig.
“Doeddwn i ddim eisiau cymryd tabledi ar gyfer pwysedd gwaed uchel felly dechreuais ddod draw i’r grŵp unwaith neu ddwywaith yr wythnos a dod i bwynt lle roeddwn yn cerdded hyd at 13 milltir yr wythnos” —Avril Lester Ar gyfer Cynthia, 58 oed, mae cerdded gydag Avril wedi codi ei hysbryd ac wedi rhoi chwistrelliad buddiol iawn o egni iddi. “Mae cerdded yn eich atal rhag teimlo’n isel felly rydw i’n ei fwynhau waeth beth fo’r tywydd, ac mae wedi rhoi’r egni i mi roi cynnig ar weithgareddau eraill megis nofio.
“Mae dod draw i’r grŵp wedi bod yn brofiad gwych oherwydd mae’n brofiad mor gymdeithasol i gwrdd â phobl fel Avril - rydym erbyn hyn yn ffrindiau gorau.” —Cynthia Bowen
t6 Sustrans Cymru: Cael Cymru i Symud
“Rwy’n gobeithio y gall fy ngherflun i berswadio cerflun Burton i ddyfynnu barddoniaeth ar ryw hwyrnos, neu o leiaf ddyfyniadau o War Of The Worlds.” —Rob Brydon
Gweithio gyda chymunedau a gwirfoddolwyr i greu gofodau cyhoeddus gwych Mae amgylchoedd pleserus yr un mor bwysig â mynediad uniongyrchol a pharhaus i ysbrydoli pobl i fod eisiau cerdded a beicio. Mae Sustrans, am nifer o flynyddoedd, wedi comisiynu artistiaid i weithio gyda chymunedau i greu celf gyhoeddus sy’n adlewyrchu profiadau’r trigolion eu hunain o’u hardaloedd lleol. Ein prosiect diweddaraf yw creu oriel bortread newydd ac eang. Y ffigur cyntaf i gael ei anfarwoli mewn dur oedd y diweddar Richard Burton. Roedd yn un o dri pherson a ddewiswyd gan gymuned bro ei febyd, Dyffryn Afan, i harddu mainc fel llunddelw maint llawn. Mae nawr yn sefyll ysgwydd wrth ysgwydd gyda seren cyfres Gavin and Stacey, Rob Brydon, a cheidwad coedwig leol, Dick Wagstaff, ar y llwybr newydd sy’n cysylltu Port Talbot gyda Chwmafan a Choedwig Parc Afan. Dywedodd Graham Jenkins, brawd Burton, y byddai’n cymryd amser i gerdded ar hyd y llwybr newydd “gan orffwyso i fwynhau’r olygfa gyda Richard yn gwmni iddo”.
Rydym yn ffodus dros ben yng Nghymru i elwa gan gefnogaeth 300 o bobl sy’n gwirfoddoli ar ran Sustrans, gan roi o’u hamser i gefnogi ein gwaith. Mae llawer yn geidwaid ar y Rhwydwaith Beicio Cenedlaethol, yn cynnal a chadw a hyrwyddo llwybrau yn eu cymuned, gan eu cadw mewn cyflwr da er budd yr holl ddefnyddwyr, a chynnal dros 100 o deithiau cerdded a beicio bob blwyddyn er mwyn cyflwyno pobl i’r Rhwydwaith. ÎÎ Mae llawer o adrannau’r Rhwydwaith hefyd yn lonydd glas hollbwysig ar gyfer bywyd gwyllt a bioamrywiaeth, ac yn 2010, blwyddyn Bioamrywiaeth y Cenhedloedd Unedig, mae gwirfoddolwyr newydd eu hyfforddi yn cadw cofnod o’r anifeiliaid a’r planhigion ar y Rhwydwaith yn ne ddwyrain Cymru ÎÎ Mae ystod eang o fywyd gwyllt wedi ei gofnodi gan wirfoddolwyr yn gweithio ar y Prosiect Hyrwyddwyr Bywyd Gwyllt, o loÿnnod byw i ystlumod. Mae hyn wedi cynnwys nifer o rywogaethau ymledol, yn cynnwys Canclwm Japan a’r fuwch goch gota harlecwin. ÎÎ Mae Sustrans yn gweithio gydag ystod o sefydliadau partner i gofnodi canlyniadau’r arolygon ar gronfeydd data bioamrywiaeth a chofnodion awdurdod lleol, gan gyfrannu at well dealltwriaeth o’n hamgylchedd naturiol.
Sustrans Cymru: Cael Cymru i Symud t5
Creu strydoedd ar gyfer pobl Mae gyrwyr sy’n gyrru’n gyflym, gormod o gerbydau a sbwriel ar eu strydoedd yn uchel ar restr cwynion trigolion mewn cymunedau ledled Cymru. O ganlyniad mae pobl yn cau eu hunain yn eu tai, anaml y bydd cymdogion yn cyfarfod ac yn sgwrsio, ni fydd plant yn chwarae allan yn yr awyr agored ac mae pobl yn teimlo na allant gerdded a beicio o’u drws ffrynt, lle mae’r rhan fwyaf o siwrneiau yn dechrau a gorffen. Mae lleihau cyflymder traffig yn hollbwysig i newid hyn. Yng Nghymru mae Sustrans wedi cynnal cynllun Peilot ar ymagwedd newydd tuag at dawelu traffig, gan greu partneriaethau â thrigolion ar dair stryd i drawsnewid eu hamgylchedd lleol drwy wneud newidiadau syml i’r cynllun a’r gosodiad. Mae newidiadau bach megis gosod blychau plannu mewn mannau strategol yn rhoi’r cyfrifoldeb am leihau cyflymder ar y gyrwyr sy’n teithio ar y strydoedd. Dengys y canlyniadau yn Stryd Somerset yng Nghaerdydd bod y manteision yn ymestyn ymhell y tu hwnt i ddim ond lleihau cyflymder yn unig: ÎÎ Mae 33% o’r trigolion nawr yn treulio rhagor o amser gyda’u cymdogion. Dywed 87% o drigolion nawr bod y stryd yn ddiogel i blant, o gymharu â 11% cyn hynny.
Mae gwaith Sustrans ar Strydoedd DIY yn arloesi ymagwedd gwbl newydd at ailgynllunio strydoedd drwy greu atebion gwerth am arian a arweinir gan y gymuned i broblemau traffig, sydd hefyd yn gwella cydlyniad cymunedol. Mae sicrhau ariannu ar gyfer y prosiect tair blynedd wedi bod yn her gan fod cyllidebau trafnidiaeth yn gyffredinol yn rhai “tlawd o ran refeniw”. Arianwyr prosiectau Cymru oedd Sefydliad Esmee Fairbairn, Cyngor Dinas Caerdydd, Cyngor Castell-nedd Port Talbot a Chymdeithas Tai y Cymoedd i’r Arfordir. I Helen ac Ian Williams o Stryd Somerset, Caerdydd, un o bleserau mwyaf y cynllun oedd cael gweld eu dau fab yn chwarae yn y stryd, rhywbeth na fyddent wedi caniatáu iddynt ei wneud o gwbl cyn hynny. Mae Stryd Somerset yn debyg i unrhyw un arall yn ardal Grangetown yng Nghaerdydd, gyda’r problemau arferol sef sbwriel, traffig yn gyrru’n gyflym a diffyg lliw.
“Ar ddiwrnod heulog fe welwch y plant yn chwarae, ac ar ddiwrnod glawog goleuir y stryd gan flodau lliwgar, ond yn bwysicach na dim, gall yr holl drigolion, plant a’r oedolion a gymerodd ran ddweud iddynt wneud hyn oherwydd Sustrans.” —Ian Williams
Barn Ian yw bod Sustrans wedi rhoi cyfle i drigolion y stryd newid pethau er gwell. “Mae hyn wedi gwneud y stryd yn lle mwy diogel i blant chware, boed hynny’n reidio eu beiciau, cicio pêl neu’n darllen comics ar y palmant o flaen y tŷ.”
ÎÎ Dywed 80% o’r trigolion bod eu stryd nawr yn fwy croesawgar ar gyfer cerddwyr. ÎÎ Dywed 74% bod y gwaith celf a mentrau eraill wedi gwella golwg eu stryd.
t4 Sustrans Cymru: Cael Cymru i Symud
Ymestyn dewisiadau teithio pobl gydag atebion gwerth am arian Mae Sustrans, a’n nifer o bartneriaid, yn datblygu ac yn ymestyn llwybrau cerdded a beicio ar draws hen faes glo De Cymru. Ar y cyd gyda Rhwydwaith Beicio’r Cymoedd rydym yn creu 100 milltir o lwybrau cerdded a beicio am lai na chost dwy filltir o ffordd. ÎÎ Yn fuan bydd 600,000 yn rhagor o bobl (20% o boblogaeth Cymru) yn byw o fewn dwy filltir i rwydwaith o lwybrau o safon uchel, gan ychwanegu at y manteision y mae’r Rhwydwaith Beicio Cenedlaethol eisoes yn eu dwyn i Gymru, ac mae arolygon eisoes yn dangos bod siopwyr, cymudwyr a phlant ysgol yn defnyddio rhagor ar y llwybrau. ÎÎ Yn ystod 2009 gwnaed bron i 29 miliwn o deithiau cerdded a beicio ar y Rhwydwaith yng Nghymru. ÎÎ Mae arbediad carbon deuocsid posibl y teithiau hyn yn dros 63,000 tunnell fetrig, a amcangyfrifwyd sy’n werth £3.2 miliwn. ÎÎ Roedd manteision iechyd beicio yn unig ar y Rhwydwaith yng Nghymru yn 2009 yn werth £20.5 miliwn. ÎÎ Mae’r gwaith yn digwydd gyda chefnogaeth ariannu Cydgyfeirio y GE, Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru a phrosiect Parc Rhanbarthol y Cymoedd. Sustrans sy’n cydlynu’r prosiect uchelgeisiol, gan weithio mewn partneriaeth â chonsortia trafnidiaeth, Awdurdodau Lleol, Sewta a SWWITCH.
Mae rhwydweithiau o lwybrau o safon uchel yn hollbwysig er mwyn galluogi pobl i gerdded a beicio, ond yr un mor bwysig yw mynediad uniongyrchol dros bellteroedd byr. Yn rhy aml o lawer mae pobl o fewn pellter cerdded i’r lle y maent am fynd iddo, ond mae ffordd brysur, afon neu linell reilffordd yn eu gorfodi i deithio’n llawer pellach i gyrraedd yn ddiogel. ÎÎ Enillodd Sustrans bleidlais gyhoeddus i sicrhau’r grant Cronfa’r Loteri Fawr mwyaf erioed i ddatblygu rhwydweithiau cerdded a beicio sy’n canolbwyntio ar gysylltiadau uniongyrchol newydd. O ganlyniad mae Connect2 Sustrans yn newid bywydau mewn naw tref ar draws Cymru lle rydym yn gweithio gyda chymunedau ac awdurdodau lleol i alluogi pobl i wneud siwrneiau bob dydd ar droed ac ar feic.
Roedd Duncan Bird wrth ei fodd wrth weld agor Pont y Werin newydd ym mis Mehefin 2010. Cyn y bont roedd ei daith gymudo ddyddiol yn golygu dau gysylltiad trên a thaith ar feic er mwyn cyrraedd Ysbyty Athrofaol Cymru, Caerdydd o’i gartref ym Mhenarth. Nawr mae ganddo siwrne uniongyrchol a rhatach ac mae’n llawer mwy heini.
“Nid oes raid i mi mwyach i ddibynnu ar gysylltiadau trên sydd weithiau’n cyrraedd yn hwyr neu ddim o gwbl i gyrraedd adre’n brydlon. O’r diwedd rwy’n gwybod yn union pryd y byddaf yn cyrraedd adref.” —Duncan Baird
ÎÎ Mae Pont y Werin drawiadol ar draws afon Elai yn cysylltu Bae Caerdydd â Phenarth yn rhan o un o nifer o rwydweithiau Connect2 sy’n cael eu cyflawni ledled y DU a fydd yn rhoi manteision i gynifer â 6 miliwn o bobl.
Sustrans Cymru: Cael Cymru i Symud t3
Rhagair gan Lee Waters, Cyfarwyddwr Sustrans Cymru Am dros 30 mlynedd mae Sustrans wedi bod yn gweithio i alluogi cymaint o bobl â phosibl i wneud dewisiadau teithio craffach. Ym 1995 amlinellodd Sustrans weledigaeth o rwydwaith o lwybrau ar gyfer cerdded a beicio a fyddai’n cysylltu’r wlad. Heddiw mae dros 1,200 milltir o’r Rhwydwaith Beicio Cenedlaethol yng Nghymru yn unig, a dros 12,000 milltir ledled y DU. Boed ar gyfer siwrneiau bob dydd i’r gwaith neu’r ysgol, neu deithiau penwythnos gyda’r teulu, mae’r llwybrau yn galluogi pobl o bob oed a chefndir i deithio mewn ffyrdd sy’n llesol i’w hiechyd ac i’r amgylchedd.
lefel sy’n agos i’r trothwy hwn. Rydym yn hyderus am werth ein gwaith yng Nghymru ac yn falch o’r partneriaethau yr ydym wedi eu meithrin dros y pymtheg mlynedd diwethaf. O Lywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru, i’r holl brif asiantaethau a phob Awdurdod Lleol yng Nghymru, rydym wedi gweithio mewn partneriaeth i greu gofodau cyhoeddus sy’n galluogi llawer mwy o bobl i gerdded a beicio. Wrth gwrs, mae llawer rhagor i’w wneud. Ac mae’r heriau yr ydym yn eu hwynebu ynglŷn â newid hinsawdd, gordewdra a phrinder ynni yn gwneud yr angen am ragor o newid yn fater sy’n fwy o frys fyth.
Ynglŷn â Sustrans Sustrans yw’r elusen sy’n galluogi pobl i deithio ar droed, beic neu drafnidiaeth gyhoeddus ar gyfer ragor o’r siwrneiau yr ydym yn eu gwneud bob dydd. Ein gweledigaeth yw byd lle gall pobl ddewis teithio mewn ffyrdd sydd o fudd i’w hiechyd a’r amgylchedd. Ein cenhadaeth yw dylanwadu ar arfer a siapio polisi fel y gall pawb deithio ar droed, beic neu drafnidiaeth gyhoeddus ar gyfer rhagor o’r siwrneiau a wnawn bob dydd. ÎÎ rydym yn gatalydd – rydym yn gwneud dewisiadau teithio craffach yn bosibl ÎÎ rydym yn ymgyrchu – rydym yn gwneud dewisiadau teithio craffach yn fwy dymunol
Lee Waters
Cyfarwyddwr - Sustrans Cymru Cysylltwch â Lee: Ffôn. 029 2065 0602 neu e-bost lee.waters@sustrans.org.uk
ÎÎ rydym yn dylanwadu – rydym yn gwneud dewisiadau teithio craffach yn anochel Dim ond cipolwg yw’r adroddiad hwn ar yr hyn y mae Sustrans yn ei gyflawni yng Nghymru. I gael gwybod am ein holl waith ewch i: www.sustrans.org.uk
Llun gan Mike Fitchie, enillydd adran ddewis y bobl ein ‘Sights, camera, gweithredu’ Cystadleuaeth ffotograffig.
Ond nid ymwneud â llwybrau yn unig y mae ein gwaith fel elusen. Elfen yr un mor bwysig yw rhoi’r wybodaeth, ac yn aml yr hyder, i bobl deithio mwy ar droed, beic neu drafnidiaeth gyhoeddus. Fel y gwelwch yn ein hadroddiad rydym yn gwneud ystod eang o waith i alluogi pobl i wneud dewisiadau teithio craffach. Dengys ein gwaith bod newid nid yn unig yn bosibl, ond daw â nifer fawr o fanteision yn ei sgil. Er ei bod hi’n anodd rhoi pris ar y teimlad o les neu ryddid y mae ein gwaith yn ei annog, mae cyfrifiadau wedi eu gwneud o werth economaidd gwaith Sustrans. Hyd yn oed gan ddefnyddio dulliau gwerthuso eithaf cul yr Adran Drafnidiaeth, mae cynlluniau sy’n galluogi pobl i gerdded a beicio yn fwy cyson yn cyflawni trothwy ‘gwerth uchel am arian’ yr Adran Drafnidiaeth. Mae hyn mewn gwrthgyferbyniad mawr â chynlluniau trafnidiaeth eraill megis ffyrdd a rheilffyrdd trwm, lle mai anaml y mae’r gymhareb cost a budd yn cyrraedd unrhyw t2 Sustrans Cymru: Cael Cymru i Symud
Sustrans Cymru
Cael Cymru i symud