During a bright day in the 1950s and 1960s, Aberavon seafront would have been packed with visitors. It was the premier destination during peak summer months, offering numerous entertainment options.

Since that era, the location has experienced mixed fortunes, with attractions appearing and disappearing as preferences evolved. Nowadays, booking a return flight to an overseas holiday destination is often as affordable, if not more so, than taking a train to a coastal resort. However, a seaside day trip remains cherished by many British people, which is what Neath Port Talbot Council aims to capitalise on with its fresh proposals for Aberavon. 

The council has launched a public consultation regarding proposals to enhance walking and cycling paths along the Neath Port Talbot coastline in the years ahead.

This forms part of a broader initiative to revitalise the Aberavon district, where the beach’s natural splendour sits alongside Port Talbot’s historically renowned steelworks as a backdrop.

The current project could deliver enhancements to a 4.7km section along the waterfront, with plans to establish a continuous circular route connecting the seafront with National Cycle Network Route 4 on the Afan Way dual carriageway. The proposed route would concentrate on several “important ” local roads, including Solar Way, Princess Margaret Way, Scarlet Avenue, Handel Avenue and Purcell Avenue.

Plans would encompass the resurfacing of deteriorating roads and pavements, the broadening of shared-use paths, and the creation of dedicated cycle lanes along Princess Margaret Way.

Furthermore, the scheme could deliver a series of new crossing points, replacement bus shelters, and a brand new bus stop opposite Remo’s Café.

Additional parking spaces along the seafront could also be on the cards, alongside public realm improvements at three locations, including the area surrounding the Memo Beach Café, the space next to the skate park, and the approaches to Tywyn Primary School.

Katy Rees, who works near the seafront in Port Talbot, expressed her interest in learning more about the plans, commenting: “I think it could be a good thing if it brings more people to the area and makes it more accessible.

“It’s a lovely beach so it’s a pity more people don’t know about it, and improvements to the roads and pavements would definitely be welcomed along with safer routes for cyclists.”

The seafront once played host to the iconic Afan Lido, which was opened by the Queen in 1966. The venue boasted a function room that regularly welcomed large gatherings of workers such as steelworkers and their families, whilst legendary performers including Tom Jones and Shirley Bassey graced its stage.

It was razed to the ground in a catastrophic blaze in 2009, before being reconstructed as the Aberafan Sports and Leisure complex.

Day’s Fair and Miami Beach Fair were amongst the much-loved attractions, featuring a big dipper and bumper cars alongside countless other entertainments, as was the Jersey Hotel, which also fell victim to flames in 2001.

The boating lake, where youngsters would paddle rowing boats in the shallows, was equally well-regarded.

Sunny Singh, who has operated a fish and chip shop in the area for the past four years, says his wish is that any future developments keep local businesses firmly in mind.

He said: “Any improvements that can attract people to the town and increase footfall could really help the businesses here.

“If you go down to Mumbles in Swansea they have an accessible seafront and there’s lots of activity there, so I think we have to look at options for Aberavon as well.”

Al Rush, an Aberavon resident, said that whilst he was in favour of enhanced walking and cycling infrastructure, he felt it was equally vital to strike the right balance with provision for motorists.

He said: “I’m all for developments that encourage more cycling and walking but we also have to find the right balance with access and parking for people in cars as that’s the main way they are going to get here.

“For me I’d also love to see plans that get really ambitious and consider a cycle path with a new bridge across the river that eventually connects us with Swansea.”

A council spokesperson confirmed the project represented “a key part of ongoing regeneration work at the seafront” and lent its support to the previously approved Aberavon Seafront Masterplan.

The masterplan received the green light from the local authority in February, 2025, with members briefed on the long-term vision designed to “enhance the quality and range of facilities” along the seafront.

Proposals include a new wellness garden, restaurant, skate park and play spaces, along with the development of a new Naval Club as a destination restaurant and bar, and a new Dunes Park near Scarlet Avenue created using board-walks in the sands.

Ahead of the consultation, cabinet member for strategic planning, transport and connectivity, Cllr Wyndham Griffiths commented: “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.”

The authority is now seeking public feedback on what it has dubbed the Sandfields Active Travel Public Space Improvements Project via an online survey, which remains open until March 11. This will be complemented by in-person events taking place at Aberavon Leisure Centre on March 2 and March 7, 2026.

Councillor Matthew Crowley, who represents the Sandfileds East ward, added: “I urge people in the Sandfields area to take part in the consultation as the more engagement we have on the proposals, the better the outcome will be.”

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