Llangollen Walkers are Welcome weekend - 25th September 2010 see Llangollen Walkers are Welcome weekend

The Moelwyns

If you are planning on approaching them through Rhosydd quarry,be aware that the footpath going south, Ffestiniog fp95, might be closed (round SH665 460). Some of the slates from the spoil tips retaining wall have fallen out and it is very dangerous. The Council have put a temporary prohibition of through traffic on a 400m section of it until 6th August at the moment while they resolve the problem. Click here to see new sign effective from 21st August 2009.

Annual Report & Newsletter 2008

REPORT FORM for UNLAWFUL OFF-ROADING

The RA is a founding member of NWAIMOR (North Wales Alliance to Influence the Management of Off-Roading) who has developed a form to report incidents of unlawful off-roading to the police.

This form is being widely distributed in North Wales to encourage the reporting of unlawfully driven motorcycles, four by four vehicles and quad bikes which take place off the surfaced highway. The more incidents reported, the higher up the agenda will go the problem, so that North Wales Police will take effective action.

Whenever you come across any unlawful incidents, please complete the form which can be found by clicking here. Full instructions on what to do are shown on the form.

If you would like to support NWAIMOR in their campaign, and receive newsletters about their work, a supporters form can be found by clicking here

Alley Gating

This is a power which has been given to the County Councils to close off paths which are considered as sources of Anti Social Behaviour. The Welsh Assembly Government has made this extremely easy for the County Councils. The paths are gated and keys issued to the residents to get to and from their properties. The orders last for two years when they have to be reviewed.

Before the Orders are put in the Councils have to go through a consultation process but do not have to take any notice of any objections. They do not even have to explain why they are not ignoring the protests. There is no right of appeal.

The Ramblers’ Association accepts that Anti Social Behaviour is a problem in some areas and does not wish to prevent sensible measures being used to combat it. Some of the alley gating is necessary to combat this behaviour. Consequently the RA does not intend objecting to every proposal.

Many of these alleys are paths that are popular with the local residents as short cuts to the shops and to visit friends and neighbours. Most have been established for a very long time. This means that people are being inconvenienced because of the actions of others and the inability of society to stop these activities. The RA believes that during the initial period that the paths are closed that action should be taken to get rid of the problem. We do not believe that this will happen.

The Welsh Assembly Government believed that this piece of legislation would be extremely popular and welcomed by everybody. This has not happened. In some cases the residents themselves have opposed them. In one case a resident was quoted as saying “We do not want to live in a jail.”

Most powers that curb our freedoms can be abused. This particular power is open to widespread abuse. One County Council is attempting to close paths in villages where there is little or no evidence of anti-social behaviour. If they are allowed to get away with some of these proposals then any path that goes between two houses is in danger of being gated. The RA has and will not hesitate to take Councils that are seen as abusing this power to Judicial Review (the High Court).

In North Wales our members are keeping a close watch on the proposals and will object to any abuse of the powers. We are particularly concerned that short links which are traffic free are being replaced by longer routes alongside busy roads.

THE ALWEN TRAIL

Various RA Footpath Workers had been aware of problems with the footpath network on Mynydd Hiraethog for several years. Of particular concern was the state of the paths around Llyn Alwen. In theory there existed rights of way and access tracks which would make a circular walk possible. In practice it did not exist because it was overgrown, badly drained and trees had been planted on the paths. If the paths around the reservoir were improved this would also open up the whole network to circular walks from Pentrefoelas and Cerrigydrudion.

Six years ago Dave Hollett, then Secretary of the RA’s Denbighshire County Committee, suggested a walking trail be built around Llyn Alwen. There followed a period of consultation with the landowners, Denbighshire and Conwy Councils and other stakeholders.

In 2002 Conwy CBC published its plans and applied for funds from Europe and CCW. This was finally approved with the work to be completed or the money spent by 31st March 2006. The work started at the end of 2005 and continued through the bitterly cold winter. The physical work is now complete. All that remains are the finishing touches such as signposting, waymarking and the provision of benches and seats. The formal launch ceremony has been set for Friday 21st July 2006.

The funding for the project was possible because of its multi use aspect. At present it is not possible for horses to use the full circuit because a gate, which is suitable for disabled vehicles and buggies, is also motor cycle proof. (The situation of this gate near to Nant Hellyn is particularly welcome as the footpath could have been attractive to illegal off road motor cycling.) The Trail is well marked and suitable for all grades of walkers including wheelchairs and buggies. It is also suitable for cyclists.

So how can the general walking public use the Trail? The core is an 8 mile circuit of the Llyn Alwen. This can be started from 2 small car parks on Llyn Alwen – one at the dam and the other at the Water Ski launch area. This walk can be extended by including the bridleway from Pen y Ffrith to Llyn Brenig and walking down either the Western side of the lake (about 12 miles) or the Eastern side (about 15 miles). The two longer suggestions can of course be started from the excellent Visitor Centre at Llyn Brenig. It is worth noting that the café here closes at either 4 pm or 4.30pm.

Is the circuit of the lake worth doing? The trail is much better underfoot than the walker dedicated eastern side of the Brenig Trail. It is also a quiet area with much birdlife. It has all the elements of a good walk – wood, water, open aspects and many good viewpoints particularly from the North West side of the lake.

Circuits from Cerrigydrudion and Pentrefoelas are also possible although some work is still needed on the rights of way in this area.

Ron Williams

Nantlle Ridge Taxi / Bus Service:

Saturday August 6th saw the launch of a new service for walkers In North West Wales. This is a new Mini bus and Taxi service between Rhyd Ddu and Talysarn – you can also pick it up from the Bus Stop at Penygroes.

The idea is that you park your car at Talysarn and phone for the mini-bus to take you to Rhyd Ddu. You then walk back. It is intended for use by walkers walking the Nantlle Ridge. It is also possible to use the service for other walks between Rhyd Ddu and Talysarn or Penygroes. Linear walks down the valley or over Mynydd Mawr are obvious possibilities. The service can also be used by visitors to the area or local residents.

The service is similar to the Train Taxies operating in many European Countries. Nantlle Ridge Tacsi/Bus - Stop Press - Minimum Charge - There is now a minimum charge of £5.00 for this service.  If 5 or more, all pay £1.00 each.  It is free to Cerdyn Cymru Card Holders. The taxi can be booked in advance – this is advised for groups – on 01286 676767. It should be noted that mobile signals are very poor around Rhyd Ddu.

Any problems with the service should be reported to the Green Key Team at Gwynedd County Council 01286 679615. Further information on this and other Sherpa Bus Services are also available from this number.

The service was started as the result of a Ramblers’ Association initiative and if successful the idea could be extended. The initial trial period runs out on March 31st 2006 but it is expected to be extended for at least another year.

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