A Harlech hill has been stripped of its title as the world’s steepest.

Less than a year after Ffordd Pen Llech was crowned the world’s steepest street, the title has been reclaimed by the previous holders in New Zealand.

In June 2019, Ffordd Pen Llech was awarded the record for steepest street in the world.

However, Baldwin Street in Dunedin, New Zealand, which held the record for a decade prior, has now reclaimed the title.

The decision to reinstate the previous record holder was reached following the completion of an extensive review of an appeal, brought by representatives of Baldwin Street.

Toby Stoff, who led the appeal, said: “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 as 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 the Dunedin street and Ffordd Pen Llech.

The findings reveal that in order to fairly assess the different shape of the streets, whether they’re straight or curved, steepness must be measured by the central axis or the central line of the road.

Following a thorough review, as well as consulting with industry specialists, it was concluded that for the steepest street record title, the best practice for the gradient is to take the measurement from the centreline of the street.

So Guinness World Records’ guidelines will no longer allow measurements from any other axis.

The new results confirmed Baldwin Street has the steepest gradient of 34.8 per cent and Ffordd Pen Llech has a gradient of 28.6 per cent.

Craig Glenday, editor-in-chief at Guinness World Records, said: “We’re also very grateful to the Ffordd Pen Llech team for their application and good humour throughout this process.”