Stepping forward to re-forge island link Head (From Barry And District News)

Stepping forward to re-forge island link Head

A GROUP of determined Barry residents has shown people power really can work when they celebrated the re-opening of the link between the Island and the town.

The steps running between Clive Road and the Waterfront were demolished in 2002 on the grounds of health and safety risks, sparking anger from homeowners all over the Island.

Despite repeated protests that their lives would be put in danger by having to walk miles out of their way and along the busy Harbour Road, just to reach the amenities in the town, the stone construction was bulldozed.

The Barry Island Residents Board is thrilled to learn that the steps will be constructed again, re-forging the vital link.

Last week, the partnership of Welsh Development Agency (WDA), Associated British Ports (ABP) and the Vale of Glamorgan Council met with Barry Island Residents Association, Assembly Member for the Vale Jane Hutt and local council members to celebrate success.

Jane Hutt, who has chaired the partnership of organisations over the past two years since the steps were closed, said: "Common sense, good will and partnership have won the day. I have been chairing meetings over the past two years to get the steps re-opened, with the support of Barry Island residents, and I was confident a solution could be found if we all worked together to achieve it.

"The 80,000 and feasibility study from the WDA was the catalyst for action and I am delighted that ABP Port Director John Copping and Kevin Francis have been so positive about moving forward with the Vale Council taking on the lease.

"We just need the Vale Council to sign this off and it will be'win, win win' !"