Over £1million will be invested on trails and paths across Wales, thanks to funding from the Communities and Nature Project managed by the Countryside Council for Wales.
Four organisations will share the money, providing a much needed boost for community-based environmental activities across North and West Wales.
Announcing the successful initiatives, Pat O’Reilly, chairman of the CAN selection panel, said:
“We are delighted that we are able to support these initiatives which are about much more than just creating paths. Not only will they help people enjoy more of Wales outstanding natural environment and to reap the health benefits, but they will also make our countryside more attractive to visitors, and thereby support local economies.”
Communities and Nature – CAN is a £14.5m strategic project, developed and managed by CCW and part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Assembly Government. Its aim is to use our natural environment to create economic opportunities through leisure and tourism providing valuable, sustainable jobs in communities where they are needed.
The four initiatives are:
Cardi Bach
The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales will create a variety of walking and cycling routes within and around 10miles of Cardigan. The trails will link to some of the areas most important wildlife locations – the Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve at Cilgerran and Afon Teifi. The new paths will also lead to the existing Otter Trail which has six wildlife viewing hides overlooking the Teifi River and marshes. To boost local business a new cycle hire enterprise will be based at the Welsh Wildlife Centre.
Ewenny Trail
The Stepping stones along the Ewenny Moors are ever popular, but they cannot be used throughout the year. Bridgend County Borough Council will create a new raised path, so that people can enjoy the Moors year round. It will also create a safe path for people to walk between Bridgend town and the surrounding villages, particularly Corntown and Ewenny.
Lon Las Ogwen
Lon Las Ogwen is the main off-road route into Snowdonia National Park from Bangor, and this funding will allow Gwynedd Council to extend the paths into Bethesda and beyond. When complete the path can be used by cyclists, walkers, the disabled, pram users and horse riders – developing tourism into the Ogwen valley as well as benefiting the health and wellbeing of the local residents.
Dee Valley Links
Denbighshire County Council will work with local communities to create a series of short community routes, linking villages and existing paths. Here too local people will work with an artist to create their own community maps, based on the local wildlife. Among the areas are Cynwyd to Bala, including Llandrillo and Llandderfel; Llanrhaeadr to Bodfari; and walks from the mainline train stations at Chirk and Rhuabon.
