Countryside access issue raised in Assembly

The on-going dispute over off-road vehicles using the countryside around Llangollen has been cited in an exchange in the Welsh Assembly.

At a recent public meeting in the Town Hall both off-road users and residents shared their opposing views on the issue.

A follow-up meeting is due to be held soon.

In the Assembly last week North Wales Liberal Democrat AM Aled Roberts put a question to Natural Resources Minister Carl Sargeant about access to footpaths.

Mr Roberts, who attended the Llangollen public meeting, said: “Does the Minister have any intention of reviewing the statutory framework regarding access to the countryside?”

The Minister replied: “As part of the ongoing review of access, I intend to issue a Green Paper for consultation. I will look at improving the opportunities for responsible outdoor recreation together with reducing the burdens placed on local authorities and landowners.”

Mr Roberts came back: “A number of meetings have been held in the Ceiriog Valley and Llangollen areas, with Ken Skates and others in attendance, where there are problems with historic roads being blocked, to some extent, by 4x4 vehicles.

“Would you be willing to consider the complexity of the situation, because there are a lot of problems with councils not knowing exactly which routes these different roads should take.”

Mr Sargeant told him: “Yes, indeed; aside from the Green Paper with regard to seeking views on the network, that is something that I will ask colleagues across Government and my department to look at specifically. If there is a void of guidance, perhaps we should review that consideration.”