Locals have gathered in a Welsh village to protest against family closing off path access (Image: Richard Swingler/Media Wales)
A family who installed huge gates blocking a popular Welsh mountain walk stressed they felt they had no choice. Locals in the small village of Cwmparc in the Rhondda, South Wales, have been up in arms since the gates and security suddenly appeared almost two weeks ago. The walking route to a forest has long been popular among the community and is the only fully accessible route, walkers say.
The walk means so much to some they’ve even scattered relatives’ ashes there with one angry resident fuming: “It feels beyond cruel to be cut off.” The gates were put up on private land and earlier this week Welsh governmental body Natural Resources Wales (NRW) confirmed it holds a private right of way over the land but that does not extend to the general public. But last Sunday protestors gathered at the gates in Vicarage Terrace to demand their removal accusing the homeowners blocking access.
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The big gates blocking access to a forest path (Image: David Williams/Media Wales)
Now for the first time the family that erected the gates have spoken out and defended their decision, saying that they have faced numerous problems with the entrance since moving to Cwmparc a year ago.
In a statement shared by local Member of the Senedd (the Welsh Assembly) MS Buffy Williams, the family allege the private entrance has been “abused in a way that has left us no choice but to consult with authorities over what we should do”.
They say they have been subjected to everything ranging from illegal parking to people urinating and using air rifles as well as out-of-control dogs and dangerous driving – even suggesting that a child was nearly knocked over.
But the family also stressed they are “working hard to find an alternative solution” including considering what alternative routes could be offered.
Meanwhile local residents Richard Clarke and David Williams are gathering evidence they claim shows the pathway has been used by the people of Cwmparc for decades.
They are planning to submit a prescriptive right of way form to the local authority in order to get the pathway designated as a registered public right of way and restore their access.
The family statement reads: “Our family made Cwmparc our home about a year ago and we have enjoyed settling our children in such a beautiful, welcoming community.
“Our property borders the forestry and our private entrance has been abused in a way that has left us no choice but to consult with authorities and advisers over what we should do.
“Our home and family were being subjected to illegal parking, dangerous driving (a child nearly knocked over), out-of-control dogs, dog-fouling, people urinating, aggression, theft, drugs, and air rifles.
“The issues continued including torches being shone through the children’s bedroom at night. A decision was made that we needed to put security gates at our home to keep our children safe.”
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They added they installed the gates after seeking advice “and approvals” from NRW, Welsh Water, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, and their local council.
They went on: “We want to thank the police who work tirelessly to keep everyone safe and who have provided reassurance to our family after several serious threats have been made.
“We are currently working hard to find an alternative solution. There is an existing path to one side of our property which would provide an alternative route.
“Work on clearing the path has already started but we ask for the community’s patience and understanding as the progress is weather-dependent.
“There is also an unused allotment to the right where an access gate could be installed and our family would personally help the community clear this to give access to the mountain provided we have the necessary consent.
“Thank you to those of you who have shown kindness and understanding towards the difficult situation we find ourselves in.
“Your kind words as fellow parents have motivated us to keep our faith in our community and help find an alternative solution which meets the needs of everyone concerned.
“We will engage directly with authorities in working on an alternative solution and ask the community to please direct any questions or suggestions you may have through the relevant official channels.”