Cowbridge town council has agreed to enter discussions with the Vale Council about improving the safety of the area of Aberthin Road underneath the Cowbridge bypass.

The town council agreed "to support in principle" five suggestions to tackle issues including suspected drug dealing, drivers using the footpath as a road, a lack of lighting, and litter.

The five suggestions are:

1. Install lighting along the path A to B and C (see map)
2. Install traffic calming measures along the measures along the path/road from point A to the area under the bypass
3. Create an official car park under the bypass
4. Install litter pins
5. Install CCTV

Councillor John Andrew brought the item to council after residents raised their concerns.

"The footpath is used as a route from Cowbridge Comprehensive School, and is used in the dark for after school activities in the winter," said Cllr Andrew.

"The woman who raised this with me said that she doesn't feel comfortable using this path, quite understandably so.

"It happens now to be a very topical issue. This is not some out of the way track. It's an established tarmacked public footpath running from the town centre to the school.

"It's simply not right that most men would probably feel okay about using a path in the dark. But I would suggest that the vast majority of women would not.

"Also, if I was a parent of a school child, I don't think I would be comfortable with them using the path in the dark, particularly knowing that there is illegal drug dealing going on in the area," he said.

Cllr Andrew also suggested using the area under the bypass as a car park, addressing the need for more spaces in Cowbridge.

Councillor Marion Arnold opposed the ideas.

"If you're going to spend money on the lighting there, what about the people who live in the houses?" she asked.

"Do they want all that light behind them?"

Councillor Andrew Pritchard also had concerns.

"Before we agree to this, have a consultation submitted to the local residents with regard to lighting and car parking, because that's the last thing I'd want behind my house," he said.

Cllr Andrew agreed that consultation would take place if the ideas are supported.

"We're not deciding anything here. I'm simply seeking the council approval to go ahead and explore this a bit more. Whether it happens or not, will ultimately depend on many factors," he said.

Cllrs Andrew and Rhys Watkins will report the outcomes of their discussions with the Vale Council back to the town council.