N Wales street loses ‘world’s steepest’ title
NEW ZEALAND RECLAIMS GUINNESS ACCOLADE
ANORTH Wales street has lost its title of steepest in the world. It comes just nine months after Guinness World Records awarded the title to Ffordd Pen Llech in Harlech.
But it has been announced that Baldwin Street, in Dunedin, New Zealand, the previous record holder 10,000 miles away, had reclaimed the crown.
It followed an appeal made by representatives of Baldwin Street.
The review found Baldwin Street has the steeper gradient of 34.8%, compared to Ffordd Pen Llech’s gradient of 28.6%.
Ffordd Pen Llech is now the second-steepest street in the world.
Appeal leader Toby Stoff said there was “no bad feeling toward the people of Harlech” but thanked Guinness World Records for reconsidering.
Mr Stoff said: “Sincere thanks to
Guinness World Records for considering our findings.
“It is important to know that Guinness World Records treats matters like this in a robust and professional manner.
“The issue of gradient was technical in nature only.
“There was no bad feeling toward the people of Harlech.
“I had the great joy of visiting last November.
“It is a wonderful heritage town full of friendly people.”
The appeal included a comparative survey of the three-dimensional shapes of both streets.
The findings revealed that in order to fairly assess the different shapes of the streets, whether they’re straight or curved, steepness must be measured by the central axis – of the road.
Criteria for the record also stated the street must also be a public thoroughfare, fully surfaced, and have buildings alongside the carriageway.
Craig Glenday, Editor-in-Chief at Guinness World Records, said: “Each one of the 60,000+ records we monitor have a set of rules unique to them which specify, among other things, the evidence that must be provided in order for us to verify a world record claim.
“As well as calling upon in-house expertise, we also work in collaboration with dozens of consultants, universities, federations and governing bodies across a number of subject matters to ensure that our rules are as up-to-date and as relevant as possible.
“We’re very grateful to the Baldwin Street appeals team, led by surveyor Toby Stoff, for making us aware of a rare gap in our stipulations and we’re pleased to see the title return to New Zealand.
“We’re also very grateful to the Ffordd Pen Llech team for their application and good humour throughout this process.”