FOREST TRAIL RIDING – WE COULD LOSE IT! 

PLEASE!

Anyone who rides (or has ridden/ever intends to ride) in Parc-y-Bwlch

Forest in Mynydd Llandegai contact Fay Harris on fay.harris@virgin.net

with name and contact details which will not be passed on to anyone else.

It is 17 years since I negotiated a permissive route for horse-riders

through Parc-y-Bwlch. I was granted permission for equestrian use of

a route through the forest to take us from Mynydd Llandegai to Carreg

y Fedwen as a link to complete a circular ride which avoids otherwise

following lengthy and risky roads. This permission has always been

fragile and vulnerable to withdrawal at any time since we have never

been offered anything more concrete such as a written agreement.

Mountain-bikers have since formed a group and by sheer determination

and strength of numbers have gained a ‘tyre-hold’ and apparently been

given an agreement – although we have yet to see the document. As I can see the route from my farm I know that many horse-riders use this trail but, because I am the only rider since 1994 to regularly communicate with the Forestry Commission in order to protect this permissive route, as far as they are concerned Mike and I are the only two who use it.

We need all equine users to be behind us if we are to maintain use of the route because in two weeks time the Forestry Commission will be asking for input from representatives of all user groups to review the situation. I ask anyone who wants to ride in this forest in the future to contact me with a view to forming a user group, which will be at least as large as the cyclists group. Just imagine what you would do if permission for equine use is withdrawn. Does that have enough of an effect for you to contact me and enlist others to do so before the end of February?

Few of the routes in our area have horse-riding status and it is advisable to contact Mike or me before approaching the council with complaints about gates/tarmac etc. Too much pressure might cause them to refuse/withdraw equine use especially during the current ‘cuts’. We are in constant touch with the County Council to establish and maintain equine status/conditions on the Lonydd Las system of leisure trails in the area. Mike, as the local BHS access officer is currently negotiating issues concerning the one currently being created from Tregarth to Bethesda. If you have any concerns, voice them now – there will be no changing anything later mike@vitko.co.uk).

Fay – Feb. 20th 2011

Tel: 01248 601071