Table 1 Overview of the three case study sites

Cardiff

The Cardiff project consists of five elements. The core infrastructural component is the Pont-y-Werin (People’s Bridge), a 140 m traffic-free pedestrian and cycle bridge. The bridge completes a 5 km circular link around Cardiff Bay, crossing the River Ely to connect Penarth and the Cogan Railway station to the city centre. It provides a route between Cardiff city centre and Cardiff Bay on one side and the suburbs of Penarth and Dinas Powys on the other side. The other four elements of the development were feeder routes to and from the bridge to facilitate access and use.

Kenilworth

There are two primary elements to the Kenilworth project including the upgrade and creation of approximately 10 km of dedicated walking and cycling paths and a new bridge crossing a busy dual carriageway (A429 Coventry Road). The first component of the route starts at Abbey Fields and follows a pathway behind a housing development before crossing minor roads and continuing through Kenilworth Common conservation area. The route then meets an existing greenway at the new pedestrian and cycle bridge spanning the A429 Coventry Road (second component). A third component, a separate path leaving the Greenway and crossing farmland northwards to the nearby university campus (known as the Green Corridor) was planned but not completed.

Southampton

The Southampton project, known as the River Itchen Boardwalk, comprises a raised walkway built on top of a wave wall. It provides a north–south connection through the city and is intended to connect local people to the river and sea. An informal footpath along the shore had been used by local residents to avoid long detours around a busy industrial estate, but the footpath was impassable at high tide and unsuitable for cyclists. The route is also linked with existing National Cycle Network routes.