Forestry Commission Wales has acted to provide safe access for horse riders to a woodland which has been targeted by illegal off-road motorbikers.
Illegal biking has become a worsening issue in the Welsh Government-owned Garw forest, near Bridgend, putting other forest users at risk and causing a nuisance to nearby residents.
Barriers erected to deter the bikers have been vandalised and Forestry Commission Wales has worked with local police on operations to crack down on off-road motor biking in the area.
However, Forestry Commission Wales has shown its determination to preserve access for legitimate users to enjoy the popular woodland by installing a new horse step-over at Pontrhyl and reinforcing the bridleway.
Forestry Commission Wales Woodland Supervisor Rebecca O’Dowd said, “Woodlands offer exciting opportunities for enjoyment for all and maintaining access for legitimate use of the forest is very important to us.
“We will not be deterred from providing safe access to the woodland for horse riders because of the activities of a selfish minority of illegal users.”
The new step-over means horse riders will be able to enjoy 1,000ha of open access riding in the Garw forest.
