A CARMARTHENSHIRE footpath is at the centre of controversy as Carmarthenshire County Council have been accused by a Brynaman pensioner of failing to make it safe. The path is part of the Amman Valley cycleway.
The complaint was made last year to the council by John Cue, who said: “I complained to the council about the walkway because I was concerned that someone may fall and seriously hurt themselves. I attended a meeting at Ammanford Town Hall and spoke with two council officials who assured me they would investigate the area and recondition the footpath – but that never happened. Workmen have only patched up a few holes and the path is still extremely dangerous to walk on.”
Adding to this complaint was Gwynfor Thomas, who said: “A lot of people use the path especially in the summer – walking clubs get dropped off at the top of my road and walk down the path to join the main walkway. It is absolutely ridiculous the path is in a terrible state – instead of fixing the council have made more of a mess. Personally, I never use it anymore because it is far too dangerous.”
Another resident, Malcolm Barnatt added a voice of concern, saying: “It is about time this council woke up – the path is in extremely poor condition. Patching it up by filling in a few holes here – and-there is just not good enough. We are fortunate to live in beautiful surroundings – but access to the cycle route needs to be safe and secure for everyone.”
Mr Cue, who is a sufferer of tendentious and arthritis, and who uses a walking stick, went on to say: “To walk down the path I would have to use my walking-stick. However, it is not always possible because my right hand gets too painful, so when this happens I have to find an alternative route to access the cycle route.”
Responding from the council was Countryside and Parks Manager, Rory Dickinson, who said: “The council takes pride in our beautiful countryside and footpaths which are maintained by our ranger service for the public’s enjoyment and wellbeing. The path that links into Ynys Dawela is a footpath crossing open grassy land and, like most other rights of way throughout Wales that cross fields and woodlands, it does not have a hard concrete or tarmac surface. The path has undergone maintenance and repair works in the past, cutting back vegetation and replacement of steps, but being quite steep in part the surface materials tend to wash off it after heavy rain. If Mr Cue contacts us then we are more than happy to assess what repair works, if any, are needed.”
Add Comment