COASTAL MUDBATH
Calls to fix ‘impassable’ section of popular walking route:
“FILTHY” conditions on a section of the Wales Coastal Path, due to accumulated water and mud, has made a section of it “impassable” in parts.
The 870-mile walking route, officially opened in 2012, leads from Chepstow in the south to Queensferry in the north and attracts thousands of tourists every year.
But fears have been raised over the state of one section of the trail just outside Caernarfon, which locals say is in a “terrible” condition due to the mud and accumulated water, having become almost “impassable” in parts.
One local man says that despite contacting Gwynedd Council on several occasions over the past few months, officers say they don’t have the resources to maintain it going forward.
Eifion Hughes described a section of the path at Ffordd Foryd Fach at Saron near Llanwnda, as being “in a terrible condition, getting worse and worse.” Mr Hughes added: “Over the past four years it’s been really bad, the council haven’t been maintaining the road despite me getting in touch several times.
“The tide has come up recently and caused a lot of damage. “It’s a dangerous hazard. “It’s been a problem for five years but is getting worse and worse.
“You can hardly walk through it even if wearing wellington boots when it’s at its worst.
“The gutters are totally blocked. I’ve spoken to someone from the council’s highways department.
“They admitted they haven’t got the manpower to clear the drains, so it’s going to be a continual problem.”
Mr Hughes, who has lived nearby for 18 years, is also worried that the state of the road, with the worst hit area covering around 500 metres, is putting off visitors from the area.
“I’ve had people walking along the path, knocking my door and asking for another way round,” he says.
“The only alternative is a busy main road. It’s even got to the stage that I’ve got friends who are reluctant to pop by to visit, as it’s so bad.
“If walking, you can only get through now if you’re wearing wellingtons.
“I can only see the problem getting worse until the council do something to sort out the problem once and for all.”
In response, a Gwynedd Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of the concerns.
“Work to clear the area will be carried out in the near future.”