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Council dismiss safety calls on coastal path

CEREDIGION Council has rejected the latest safety calls over sections of a popular 60-mile coastal path which runs along parts of the cliff edge.

The Ceredigion coastal path, which runs from Cardigan to Borth and in places several hundred feet into the sea, was opened back in 2008 but has been the subject of safety concerns by walkers and affected land owners ever since.

And this month Ferwig Community Council become the latest to demand that Ceredigion Council close off around a quarter of a mile of the path near Mwnt while urgent safety works are carried out to protect walkers from bare cliff edges.

Brian Gooch, community clerk, said councillors walked around a quarter of a mile of the path with Ian Dutch, the chief pathways officer for Ceredigion, after receiving several letters of concern from land owners.

And that after undertaking an inspection of the path at Graig Farm, members felt the safety of walkers was being compromised and letters were sent to the county council calling for the quarter mile section to be closed off while essential safety works are undertaken. He said there were severe concerns over the lack of fencing and the fact animals were allowed to roam along the path, with fears that if one were to become trapped and bolt, it could cause walkers to fall from the steep cliff edge.

He said: “Parts of the path are very narrow and the council is concerned that if an animal bolts then it could force walkers over the edge. I was asked by the council to write to Ceredigion asking for the temporary closure of the path so that remedial works could be carried out.”

They also called for wider pathways to allow walkers to stay further inland.

However, Ceredigion council have dismissed the claims, with assurances that despite different covering some rough terrain, the path does not pose any threat to walkers.

A spokesperson said: “Ceredigion County Council’s officers have received correspondence and have visited the section of the coast path where concerns have been raised with the community council and landowner.

“The council does not accept the claims that the path is unsafe. The section of path is part of a 96km stretch of coastline providing opportunities for people to access and enjoy the county’s spectacular coastline. Some sections will differ from others, as some areas are low lying and others are near to cliffs. However, in all cases the route is assessed and reviewed to see that it is accessible and safe for users to use.”

Concerns over the path have been ongoing after a walker fell to his death along a section in New Quay last year.

Gwbert farm park owner, Lyn Jenkins, 62, has bene fighting to have the path taken off his land since it opened and is now calling for all sections which come within two metres of the cliff edges to be closed permanently.