A £135,000 project to safely connect two Pontypool communities was officially opened yesterday.

Churchwood Path leads from St Cadocs Church, Trevethin shops and the Yew Tree Italian Restaurant to Penygarn Road, and a ribbon was cut by Torfaen council leader councillor Bob Wellington to mark its opening.

The Trevethin Communities First Partnership Board worked with staff from the council to secure a £135,000 grant to carry out the improvements through the Welsh Government’s safe routes in communities scheme.

The money was spent on upgrading the existing public rights ofway fromSt Cadoc’s to the lower section of Penygarn Road, installing newhandrails, gates and steps.

New surfacing, paths and crossings were also introduced in around St Cadoc’s church and the Yew Tree Inn and improvements were carried out to highways, footways and crossings on Penygarn road and creating easier access to the Old Penygarn Road.

The newroute is also the first step in a range of new and improved footpaths and cyclepaths set to be created within the Pontypool Settlement Area project.