Riverside use in Newtown nearly doubles in 12 years

The number of people using Newtown’s riverside has almost doubled in 12 years, with a new survey suggesting investment in the area has led to significantly greater use by residents and families.

More than 900 people were recorded along the River Severn during just two hours this summer, compared with fewer than 500 during similar surveys carried out in 2014.

The findings are contained in a report by the River Severn Custodians which will go before Newtown Town Council’s Services Committee on Monday.

Volunteers counted people using the riverside between 11am and 1pm on Saturday, 8 August, recording 904 people compared with an average of 468 during two comparable surveys in the summer of 2014.

The report describes the increase as significant, stating: “It is clear that the riverside is a significant feature in town and is well loved and used.”

It adds: “Almost 1,000 people were recorded in only two hours, nearly double the average numbers in 2014.”

The increase is considerably higher than Newtown’s population growth over the same period. The report says the town's population has risen by around 15 per cent, from 11,350 to 13,000, concluding that “the increase in riverside footfall is not simply due to more people living in Newtown.”

There has also been a sharp increase in the number of children using the riverside.

The survey recorded 166 children, compared with 57 in 2014. Children accounted for 18 per cent of those counted this year, up from 12 per cent 12 years ago.

Many were heading to or from the newer children's playpark, which the Custodians said was busy with children, parents and grandparents.

The report states: “This is a very positive sign that the new facilities are encouraging children to get off their devices and get into the fresh air.”

Some of the largest increases were recorded around the skatepark, where 111 people were counted compared with an average of 51 in 2014.

The children's playpark area was the busiest location surveyed, with 419 people recorded compared with 297 in 2014.

The Custodians say the figures demonstrate the impact of improvements made since the previous surveys.

The report states: “This large increase speaks to the success of Open Newtown and the Town Council’s efforts to increase the amenities along our town’s green and blue spaces.”

Other figures show 157 dogs were recorded compared with 68 in 2014, while the number of cyclists fell slightly from 92 to 84.

The survey also provides an indication of how the pedestrian and cycle bridge, which had not been built when the original surveys were undertaken, is now being used.

A total of 43 people crossed the bridge during the two hour period, equivalent to around one person every three minutes.

The report suggests the bridge may be serving an everyday transport role as well as recreational use, stating: “This may suggest that the bridge might be used for active travel, such as running errands, shopping or going to work.”

However, the Custodians acknowledge that a survey has not been undertaken on a working day to establish whether more people use the bridge for commuting.

The 2026 survey was carried out following a series of changes to Newtown's riverside since the original surveys, including the new pedestrian and cycle bridge and the development of facilities such as the playpark and Hafan yr Afon.

The findings will be considered by members of Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn Town Council’s Services Committee on Monday.