sarn helen tro hirfynydd please help

Hi,

Just an update on the proposed extended closure of Sarn Helen at Hirfynydd, Neath. We're still looking for help to block this extended TRO. The address details are different from those previously posted, (which I had from the previous TRO notice). If you would like to assist in keeping this amenity available, please send an
objection to this extension of the existing TRO to Neath Port-Talbot Council by emailing or writing to
Clive Williams Principal Countryside Access Officer
Environmental Directorate
Neath Port-Talbot Council
The Quays
Brunel Way
Baglan Energy Parks
Briton Ferry
Neath SA11 2GG

c.williams8@neath-porttalbot.gov.uk

01639 686196

To be received by 22^nd July - pls try to get them in sooner if you are prepared to help us out.

Copies of all letters / emails will be placed before the Councillors who sit on the Environment & Highways Scrutiny Committee/ Cabinet Board. I've sat in a meeting with them recently, they're very fair & decent & I'm very confident that they will not allow this through once they gauge the full extent of opposition. The key
issues to mention in the letter;
The extended TRO is being requested due to;
1) Ongoing damage to the road surface &
2) To improve the amenity of the area through which the road runs.
Re. 1) The surface of the Sarn Helen Roman Road IS in a mess, that's not in dispute. It's in a mess because the local authority allowed the suface to be ruined over many years when the opencast colliery was operating and didn't make them repair the road when they packed up & left. Since then, there has been NO maintenance. It is a naturally wet & boggy terrain, there has been
no attention to existing drainage or no thought to new drainage solutions. It is used by heavy Plant belonging to the landowner, as well as a variety of vehicles participating in rallies, speed trials, off-roading & 4x4 events, (under the umbrella of Walters Motorsports).
Re. 2) The 'amenity' is a mixed use forestry / mineral extraction facility with quarrying & opencast still functioning within the immediate locality. There is heavy Plant & agricultural traffic passing though as well as all the motor-sports events that are held there. The landowner has obtained permission to install wind-
turbines & a waste processing / waste transfer station. The landowner appears to be doing their level best to ruin the area - how on earth can they claim to wish to improve the amenity by excluding public traffic?
Some of the locals who enjoy this amenity have worked hard to keep the road surface in some sort of basic order, as well as keeping the hedges, trees, & other foliage cut back off the road.
You may also wish to mention the status of this road as one of the UK's more attractive facilities to leisure based off-roaders, cyclists, etc. As well as the fact that it has been in use by the public for the
best part of 2 Millennia! And it's well-used by disabled people for leisure & recreational purposes which will be stopped if the TRO extension is agreed.
If you're outside the area, you might also like to lay it on with a trowel how you, when you travel down to this area to visit Hirfynydd & travel along Sarn Helen, you make good use of the local hotels, guest houses, camping sites, restaurants, etc. Spending lots of muddy 4x4 tourist ££s in the process!!

SARN HELEN ROMAN ROAD - BANWEN TO ABERDULAIS

[size=9]This byway open to all traffic is regularly used by equestrians, walkers, mountain bikers, off-road motorcycles & 4x4 vehicles. The route has some quite unique features including, the Roman Road itself which runs along the ridgeway of Hirfynnydd, (translates as 'Long Mountain'), near Glynneath. From the triangulation point, it enjoys some spectacular views including, to the South, a panoramic view of much of West & Mid Glamorgan, the Bristol Channel & the coast of Devon. The view to the North is the vista of the Black Mountains running into the Brecon Beacons. It presents a challenging drive for off-roaders with the fabulous views from the summit as an added bonus there are few byway roads left where this level of access can be enjoyed by motorised vehicles and which are so rewarding in terms of driving experience & views. The 7 mile long mountain is set in amongst some spectacular rolling hillsides and thousands of acres of forestry.

This amenity has also proved to be very popular with disabled 4x4 drivers as it is a route which can be negotiated in a suitable vehicle. Disabled motorists would lose this amenity if the TRO is extended as, unlike many other members of the public, they aren't going to be able to use a disability scooter to get up there, they won't be able to walk up there & in all probability won't be able to ride a horse or cycle up there.

This area is criss-crossed by public footpaths, bridleways, byways, etc. There have been frequent access problems over the past couple of years with byways being illegally obstructed on numerous occasions, as well as ongoing attempts to intimidate legal users of the bridleways & footpaths in attempt to erode use of these routes. There is a currently 7 month closure period in place - a TRO detailing a seasonal prohibition of driving. The landowner, (Walters Mining Ltd), is requesting an extension of conditions on the TRO to extend the closure period & to include all linked byways with the erection of locking barriers. Officials in Neath, Port-Talbot Council seem to be giving their backing to these extended TRO conditions.

A single-issue interest group/ pressure group has been formed to fight gradual loss of rights of way on Hirfynnydd; R.O.W.A.N.(Rights Of Way Alliance Neath) has the primary aim of protecting ALL Public Rights of Way at Hirfynydd for use by EVERYONE.
If you support the groups aims, please email your name & address, (address optional if privacy is a concern), to me so that we can put your details on the ROWAN supporters list. As a supporter, that is all you are doing - voicing your support for the aims of keeping all public rights of way open at this amenity. We won’t be asking you for donations or to attend meetings or anything that involves your time. Email: via-helena@hotmail.co.uk
This amenity has always been very well used by members of local communities. Due to the extremely attractive nature of the route, visitors from across the UK enjoy coming to walk, ride or drive the Sarn Helen. This extended closure order isn't about improving the amenity or preserving road surfaces - it's all about a wealthy corporation making more money at the expense of others, increasing land values & the Councils lethargy, (or worse), that is helping it happen.

We are convinced that if the Sarn Helen is lost, access to the bridleways & footpaths will be gradually eroded over time until these are also lost. This would be tragic if allowed to happen and future generations would be the losers - this on a road which has been in public use for the better part of 2 Millennia.

My apologies to anyone I have inadvertently omitted If you can think of any other clubs or individuals to forward this onto, please help our cause by doing this. I also apologise if I've duplicated your email address & mailed you more than once. Also we'll help with any similar problems by voicing our concerns on e-petitions / objections - just let us know.

If you're able to mention this on your website or in your club magazine - that would be brilliant! If you could do a bit of ‘viral’ emailing to ask friends or relatives to object as well - that would also be great!!

If you haven't yet visited Sarn Helen - please do so, in case we do lose it! It's worth the trip!