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A diversion on a popular cycling and walking route in Cardiff that forces cyclists into an industrial estate has been described as “incredibly dangerous”.

The Taff Trail in Cardiff runs from Tongwynlais to Cardiff Bay on paths that are largely free of other vehicles.

But work to build a £2.6m hydro-electric project at Radyr Weir has meant the path is being diverted temporarily onto a nearby road while access route to site being built.

From Tuesday a new segregated route will be established.

Alistair Gibbs, 31, regularly uses the path twice a day to get from Caerphilly to his IT job in Cardiff, but he complained to the council saying the newly diverted route is on a busy industrial estate used by heavy goods vehicles.

Related: Call for a cycling revolution on Wales' roads

'It needs urgently looking at'

Writing on Twitter, Mr Gibbs said: “The diversion at Radyr Weir is incredibly dangerous and needs urgently looking at to make this safe.”

Mr Gibbs said the route from the path to the road is narrow and windy making it difficult to navigate by bicycle.

He said he was also confronted by a “large digger” travelling at speed on the actual trail – unexpected as he said the diversion has access for works.

“It is unsafe for young or inexperienced users and many will be put off from using this path,” he said.

Mr Gibbs added: “The Taff Trail was the one reason that I would cycle to Cardiff, where I don’t have to worry about traffic.

“If I had kids there would be no way I would take them on the diversion route.“

The £2.6m power project uses two turbines next to the river to generate renewable energy.

Read more:How can cycling in the city be improved? Cardiff University calls on over-50s for their views

A short term diversion

A Cardiff council spokeswoman said: “There is a short term, temporary diversion in place on the Taff Trail whilst the access road site is being constructed.

“The new diversion will be in place as of August 25, we have ensured that cyclists are not taken onto the road, and have worked closely with Sustrans to come up with a suitable route to ensure users of the trail are as safe as possible.

“We have ensured that signage is in place for the temporary diversion is in place, however we do appreciate some confusion from some users of the trail and have passed these concerns on to our contractor. We will work together to improve signage for this short period of time until the permanent diversion takes place.

“We would like to apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.”