The Cwm Ogwr Fach section of the Celtic Trail between Tonyrefail and Blackmill was officially opened by Bridgend AM Carwyn Jones.

The attractive traffic-free route near the entrance to Lakeside Farm Restaurant on the A4093 forms part of a trail stretching across the breadth of Wales.

The five-mile section follows the former railway line and parish road, and prevents walkers and cyclists having to drop onto the busy A4093 to continue along the Celtic Trail.

The scheme is part of the Celtic Trail Phase 2 Project funded through the Welsh European Funding Office.

At a Walking and Cycling and Conference in Cardiff, the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing, Jane Davidson, said the Welsh Assembly Government would be investing £250,000 to train more than 100 instructors to teach the new standards across Wales.

The aim is to increase the number of qualified instructors that can deliver cycle training to a consistent standard that prepares children and adults to cycle on today’s roads.   Ms Davidson said:

The Welsh Assembly Government is committed to getting more people to cycle – as a form of transport; as a means of becoming more physically active; and as a way of getting out and enjoying our countryside.

We all need to reduce our carbon footprint, and cycling can help to make a real difference here – especially since the majority of car journeys are less than 5 miles long. With the cost of motoring on the rise, cycling is a cheap, healthy, and sustainable means of transport.

So I’m delighted to announce today this new initiative which the Assembly Government is funding this year to encourage more people to cycle.

The Cycle Training National Standards have already been adopted by a small number of local authorities in Wales, but the new money and the partnership with CTC – the UK’s national cyclists’ organisation – will help ensure coverage across Wales.

Working with the CTC Charitable Trust and the Sports Council, the £250,000 funding over three years will be used to get the National Standards adopted across Wales alongside the successful Bikeability brand.

CTC Director Kevin Mayne said:

We call Bikeability cycling proficiency for the 21st Century. It gives parents and children the confidence to make their daily journeys by bike under real conditions. We are delighted that the Welsh Assembly is encouraging more people to cycle. The funding will also enable us to employ a Cycle Training Development Officer who will be dedicated to supporting all the providers of cycling activities in Wales as they get more people on their bikes.

Ms Davidson said:

CTC estimate that around 10% of year 6 pupils in Wales receive some cycle training, but rarely is this undertaken on roads. We want to see this changed dramatically through a programme of work to get over 100 instructors trained in the National Standards who will then provide appropriate cycle training to schools and to adults. A new project officer is also being recruited to help co-ordinate this work.

The partnership day has been organised to promote alternative transport means to residents, patients and staff and to raise awareness of the health benefits of “active travel”.

Taking place from 10am to 3.30pm on April 17 in the Atrium (main entrance) of the Royal Glamorgan Hospital, the day will feature information stands and talks in the lecture theatre.

Partners attending include:

· RCT Local Health Board

· PTI Cymru who will be promoting public transport information systems including Traveline text, online journey planner and bilingual call centre.

· Rhondda Cynon Taf Council promoting walking and cycling in the county.

· Rocky Mountain Cycles, a local firm who will promote their services and equipment.

· Royal Glamorgan Estates Transport/Video Conferencing Awareness.

· Sewta Carshare scheme.

· Sports Council for Wales – healthy workplace information.

· Stagecoach – local public transport information.

· Sustrans – Mentro Allen coordinator to promote events in the county and also the active communities coordinator and projects officer.

· Travol – voluntary patient transport services.

· Veolia – local public transport information.