Llwybrau Troed / Footpaths: Work / News / Problems

REPORT FROM THE AREA FOOTPATH SECRETARY

June 2022

Ysceifiog 13
There have been problems with this footpath since the 1930s. The path which is at
the back of the Afonwen Craft Centre. This was a former woollen mill which closed in
the 1970s. The Definitive Map is unclear as to where the path started. When the
Flintshire Committee was formed in 1996 both possible start points were obstructed.
The path though was being used in the opposite direction with walkers climbing over
a low barbed wire fence or a locked gate. The farmer (the local County Councillor)
then put barbed wire on top of the locked gate. Flintshire CC Rights of Way spent
much time looking for evidence as to the correct line of the path. The ROW Dept had
by this time decided that the path entered the curtilage of the former Woollen Mill.
They never produced any evidence in support. The County Councillor died a few
years ago.
A couple of years ago the Rights of Way team at Flintshire was re-organised.As part
of this re-organisation the committee again began a campaign to get the path
opened. is coincided with a change of owner and tenant occupier. It was pointed out
to the new officers that they had a duty to find a solution to the problem rather than
hide behind the Definitive Map issue. Last December without any notice a County
Council stile appeared alongside the gate. The official line of the path is still
obstructed elsewhere. This can be mitigated by crossing over some hurdles. There is
no footpath sign and it is not clear what if anything is going to happen next.
Lixwm Footpath Claim
This case should have concluded when the inspector’s first decision was issued in
July , but there were further objections and so the matter had to be reconsidered by
the inspector. As we suspected, the ‘new’ objections did not raise any new issues
that had not been aired at the public inquiry, and the inspector’s final decision issued
in January confirms public footpath status. The path is not yet freely open to the
public.
Coast Path at Penrhyn Castle
We understand that this will soon be open to the public. Planning permission has
been granted to create two gateways for the path.
Coast Path RSPB Reserve at Flint
The Coast Path between Connah’s Quay and Flint currently runs on the pavement
alongside the A548, The land the other side of the Railway Line and near the coast
consists of two Nature Reserves. One is owned by Deeside Naturalist Trust and the
other by the RSPB. There is an access road right through the two reserves. The
Trust is not objecting to the creation of the route. The leader of the County Council is
a local resident and he has now intervened and we are hopefully that action similar
to that at Penrhyn Castle
Deganwy Crossing
The 2019 Public Inquiry found that there was a public right of way across the railway
line at Deganwy. Network Rail have never accepted this decision, They first took it to
the High Court and lost. They next tried to get it closed under Section 118 of the
1980 Act. This was turned down by Conwy Council and Network Rail then appeal to
the Welsh Government. We have now learnt that this appeal has also been turned
down. The Welsh Government has instructed Network Rail to work with Conwy CBC
and Users to come up with an acceptable crossing. Thanks to Pete Bland for his
expertise and dedication on this issue.
Mawddach Crescent Claim
This is now going to Public Inquiry and is being supported by Gwynedd CC. The
claim was made by a local resident and we have offered advice and support. This is
to go to Public Inquiry
Meliden Claim
Denbighshire County Council are supporting this claim, Although objections had
been made to the Order they were hopeful that it would be dealt with by Written
Submission. However, the objectors have insisted on a Public Inquiry.

December 2021:

Over the past two years Rights of Way work has been difficult for both the Ramblers and the County Councils. At the start of the Pandemic this work was greatly reduced. Our Footpath Workers could not get out to investigate issues and the councils suspended work on map orders. Some council officers were transferred to other departments. The situation began to improve later last year but was again interrupted by lockdowns. Despite all this our Footpath Committees have been active and have had some successes. I would like to record my appreciation for their work.

During the early days of the Pandemic there was an increase in people using their local footpaths. This was recognised by the Welsh Government who provided extra funds for improvements. Most of this extra money has been used to replace stiles with gates. While this is welcome it has had an effect on the Councils. To spend the money they had to divert resources from their normal work. This has meant that some complaints have taken longer to sort out.

Conwy

The Deganwy Level Crossing issue has not been sorted. Network Rail obstructed this path in 2012. They subsequently lost at a Public Inquiry (and later in court) which established that the path was indeed a public right of way. Instead of accepting the situation they have asked Conwy CBC to extinguish the path. The path is currently closed under a temporary Traffic Regulation Order. We are still waiting for NR to submit a full safety assessment of the crossing to Conwy CBC, in support of their extinguishment application. Conwy CBC will then decide whether to make an Order to close the footpath**. If they do the Ramblers and local residents are likely to object, and we will be heading for another public inquiry.

Claims for several footpaths in the Gwrych Castle Woods have been made by a local county councillor. The woods are leased to Natural Resources Wales for 3,999 years. Because they are only leaseholders, they cannot give full Open Access rights but they might be able to give permissive access.

Siriol Hir is between Llanfair TH and Abergele. This small area has a network of footpaths which provide useful links to the wider network. Over the years the paths have been obstructed and difficult to use. In an attempt to resolve the situation Conwy rights of way recently held a site meeting with the occupier and ourselves. We are hopeful that a mutually agreeable solution will be achieved.

The Conwy Valley Group have also restarted their footpath work. There are eight members of the Group. They have during this year carried out 180 hours of work. This has included installing and repairing furniture and clearing 20 kilometres of overgrowth.

Denbighshire 

Denbighshire was one of the first to restart Map Order work. The first was an Order for a path claim in Meliden. This has been objected to and will now be referred to the Planning Inspectorate. During the last year the Council has installed about 250 kissing and walkers’ gates. We have a long-standing claim for the disused railway line near Llangollen. To this have been added two further claims. One in Llangollen and the other in Pwllglas near Ruthin. The Paths to Wellbeing project in the County will feature the Communities of Llanbedr DC and Efenechtyd. 

Flintshire

In January 2020 a Public Inquiry was held into a claim for a Bridleway at Lixwm. Normally the decisions from such inquiries take only a few weeks. This one took over six months. We were surprised when the Inspector had decided it was a footpath instead of a bridleway. Some horse riders objected to this and it was referred back to the Inspector, who decided to hold a further inquiry by written submissions. This closed in July this year. We are still awaiting the decision. The plans under the Paths to Wellbeing Project to improve 53 kms in Llanfynydd and surrounding area are welcome

Gwynedd – Arfon and Dwyfor

The most notable achievement during the year has been the decision by Gwynedd CC to create a footpath through the Penrhyn Castle Grounds. The Castle was given to the National Trust largely because the family could no longer afford its upkeep. The land around it was not and still belongs to the Estate. The path links the Coast Path between Capel Ogwen with Porth Penrhyn. This means that the Coast Path will not have the current ridiculous diversion along the roads around Talybont and Llandygai. The Council have had one objection. They are in discussions with the objector and are hopeful of an agreement. 

Gwynedd – Meirionnydd

In recent years orange / brown dots have been appearing on the 1:25,000 OS Maps. Do you know what they are? Thought not! They are traffic free cycle routes. As such they are open to walkers. A few have now appeared in the Trawsfynydd Area. This means you can now plan circular routes in this area that take you off the A470. These routes have probably always been there but known only to local residents.

Wrexham

Wrexham CBC rights of way dept have installed new walkways at the Sontley Marsh SSSI site between Marchwiel and Erddig. As elsewhere across the Area last summer it was a great growing season for bracken, nettles and brambles. As a result the Council has extended its strimming season.

Ynys Môn

Two landslips on the Coast Path have occurred. The first one at Benllech has been repaired with improved drainage and a handrail. The other one at Moelfre is more long term with a diversion being required. The Group noted the creation of a section of the Coast Path through Penrhyn Castle grounds and have requested that Ynys Môn County Council take similar action.

The Group are supporting two claims for footpaths put in by members of the public. Ynys Môn County Council are using the Active Travel Act to link communities on the Island. Schemes are being worked on for seven areas - Amlwch, Benllech, Holyhead, Llanfair PG, Menai Bridge and Llangefni. 

The Silver Slashers have also been busy. After being able to restart they have held 22 sessions. This work has included clearing four badly blocked paths.