{"id":65254,"date":"2022-12-20T15:53:49","date_gmt":"2022-12-20T15:53:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/?p=65254"},"modified":"2023-10-11T09:49:19","modified_gmt":"2023-10-11T08:49:19","slug":"how-the-state-of-the-path-network-is-gatekeeping-the-welsh-countryside","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/2022\/12\/20\/how-the-state-of-the-path-network-is-gatekeeping-the-welsh-countryside\/","title":{"rendered":"How the state of the path network is gatekeeping the Welsh countryside"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Access to the countryside should be universal, but walking groups are having to step up to the challenge of protecting the national path network<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/feature-image-1024x512.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-65256\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/feature-image-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/feature-image-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/feature-image-770x385.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/feature-image-1366x683.jpg 1366w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/feature-image-585x293.jpg 585w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/feature-image-1170x585.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/feature-image-293x147.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/feature-image-1400x700.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/feature-image.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/feature-image-1024x512.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-65256\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/feature-image-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/feature-image-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/feature-image-770x385.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/feature-image-1366x683.jpg 1366w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/feature-image-585x293.jpg 585w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/feature-image-1170x585.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/feature-image-293x147.jpg 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/feature-image-1400x700.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/feature-image.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Welsh landscape would be impossible to traverse without the path network<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">Scroll through social media on any given weekend and you\u2019ll likely see photos of  all along the Welsh path network; proud faces atop Pen Y Fan, cyclists streaming down the Taff Trail and swimmers braving the icy waters of the Brecon Beacons\u2019 many waterfalls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Outdoor recreation has experienced&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/bikebiz.com\/uk-sees-82-rise-in-outdoor-activity-in-stravas-year-in-sport-report\/amp\/\">something of a boom<\/a>&nbsp;in recent years, yet many people in Wales still face barriers in trying to access and enjoy rural pursuits. From broken signage and poor surfacing to infrastructure <a href=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/2022\/12\/06\/demand-is-growing-for-cathays-station-to-provide-disability-access\/\">unsuitable<\/a> for disabled people, these barriers work to maintain the countryside as a privilege that not everyone can enjoy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe class=\"zeen-lazy-load-base zeen-lazy-load\" title=\"CRoW Act\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"about:blank\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/h3mmaF8Nfr4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><noscript><iframe title=\"CRoW Act\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/h3mmaF8Nfr4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/noscript>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Beauty spot benefits<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>There are many benefits to our health, both physical and mental, to be found in surrounding ourselves in nature. This has been particularly apparent since the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/naturalresources.wales\/about-us\/news\/news\/report-highlights-how-nature-helped-us-cope-with-covid-19\/?lang=en\">Covid-19 pandemic<\/a>&nbsp;and lockdowns, a time when an hour of outdoor exercise felt like the only thing grounding people and keeping them sane.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/naturalresources.wales\/about-us\/news\/blog\/mending-minds-the-benefits-of-a-dose-of-nature-for-mental-health\/?lang=en\">survey<\/a>&nbsp;carried out by Natural Resources Wales concerning the use of Cardiff\u2019s woodlands in this time found that people relied on these natural environments not only for exercise, but also for their mental wellbeing. \u201cThe ability to walk in such<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>wonderful surroundings helped to take some of the fear of the pandemic away.\u201d said one respondent. \u201cIt is hard not to believe that you will survive when you walk these<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>woods.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This boost to mental wellbeing is recognised by mental health charity&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mind.org.uk\/information-support\/tips-for-everyday-living\/nature-and-mental-health\/how-nature-benefits-mental-health\/\">Mind<\/a>, which recommends that people spend time in nature to help with feelings of stress, self-esteem and even loneliness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote has-text-align-center is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cIf it\u2019s a national asset it needs to be looked after\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fenced off<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>While these effects on mental wellbeing are now widely acknowledged, less talked about are the blockages that people can face in attempting to access rural recreation, such as substandard signage, overgrown paths, and obscured access land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"770\" height=\"1020\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/feature2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-65259\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/feature2.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/feature2-226x300.jpg 226w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/feature2-580x768.jpg 580w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/feature2-370x490.jpg 370w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/feature2-585x775.jpg 585w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/feature2-293x388.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"770\" height=\"1020\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/feature2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-65259\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/feature2.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/feature2-226x300.jpg 226w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/feature2-580x768.jpg 580w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/feature2-370x490.jpg 370w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/feature2-585x775.jpg 585w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/feature2-293x388.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Most similar activism in England revolves around legal access to land. Photo: Nicholas J Klein<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>One group that has garnered widespread attention in looking to change this is the Right to Roam movement, which seeks to change English Countryside Right of Way (CRoW) laws to allow public access to open land whether privately owned or not. The group held a series of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.timeout.com\/uk\/things-to-do\/the-trespassers-fighting-for-our-right-to-roam\">organised trespasses<\/a>&nbsp;throughout 2022 and made headlines in December as it fought a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/2022\/dec\/12\/high-court-to-rule-on-attempt-to-ban-wild-camping-on-dartmoor\">legal battle<\/a>&nbsp;to protect wild camping on Dartmoor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the group\u2019s actions only cover England, their&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.righttoroam.org.uk\/\">website<\/a>&nbsp;stating that as CRoW legislation is devolved in Wales that it is best that the issue is dealt with separately on this side of the Severn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ramblers to the rescue<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>So step up <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ramblers.org.uk\/wales.aspx\">Ramblers Cymru<\/a>, the Welsh wing of the Ramblers Association, Britain\u2019s leading walking charity. The group already have a proven track record of making land accessible; Ramblers are well known for their volunteering in path maintenance and even introduced the CRoW Act of 2000 which Right to Roam now looks to expand.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, they boast a range of new initiatives aimed at improving accessibility. Br\u00e2n Devey of Ramblers Cymru explains how these efforts all contribute to providing the Welsh public with the means to benefit from being outside. \u201cWhen we talk about mental health, about wellbeing, it\u2019s about access to nature.\u201d he says. \u201cIf you go for a walk on a busy concrete road, the physical and mental benefits are not the same as going for a walk in a woodland.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is why, in January, Ramblers Cymru will deliver a report to the Welsh government concerning the state of the path network in Wales and what they feel must be done in order to improve it. This report was made through consultation between Ramblers Cymru and communities throughout Wales and seeks to address all problems people face in trying to access wildlife. Speaking of surveying nearby areas in Torfaen and Monmouthshire, Devey says, \u201cWe were actually amazed that around half the paths weren\u2019t easily accessible.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To combat this, the report and its associated <a href=\"https:\/\/e-activist.com\/page\/108816\/petition\/1\">petition<\/a>, which has gained over 1,600 signatures so far, requests that 10% of the government\u2019s active transport budget is spent on maintenance of the path network and suggests the appointment of path monitors by local authorities. These monitors would ensure that local communities have an officer to report maintenance problems to so that paths are not so easily lost to overgrown shrubs and bad signage. In turn, Devey hopes this will force the government to take more responsibility for the network. \u201cThey call it a national asset.\u201d he says. \u201cIf it\u2019s a national asset it needs to be looked after\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By doing this, Ramblers Cymru hopes that the healing power of nature can be opened up for more people in Wales. \u201cIf your first experience of going outdoors is you get lost and trip over a broken stile, it\u2019s not likely to be an experience you\u2019ll want to repeat.\u201d says Devey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"410\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Pastel-Simple-Important-points-to-build-an-attractive-personal-website-infographic-410x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-65280\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Pastel-Simple-Important-points-to-build-an-attractive-personal-website-infographic-410x1024.png 410w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Pastel-Simple-Important-points-to-build-an-attractive-personal-website-infographic-120x300.png 120w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Pastel-Simple-Important-points-to-build-an-attractive-personal-website-infographic-770x1925.png 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Pastel-Simple-Important-points-to-build-an-attractive-personal-website-infographic-307x768.png 307w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Pastel-Simple-Important-points-to-build-an-attractive-personal-website-infographic-432x1080.png 432w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Pastel-Simple-Important-points-to-build-an-attractive-personal-website-infographic-720x1800.png 720w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Pastel-Simple-Important-points-to-build-an-attractive-personal-website-infographic-293x733.png 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Pastel-Simple-Important-points-to-build-an-attractive-personal-website-infographic.png 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 410px) 100vw, 410px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"410\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Pastel-Simple-Important-points-to-build-an-attractive-personal-website-infographic-410x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-65280\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Pastel-Simple-Important-points-to-build-an-attractive-personal-website-infographic-410x1024.png 410w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Pastel-Simple-Important-points-to-build-an-attractive-personal-website-infographic-120x300.png 120w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Pastel-Simple-Important-points-to-build-an-attractive-personal-website-infographic-770x1925.png 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Pastel-Simple-Important-points-to-build-an-attractive-personal-website-infographic-307x768.png 307w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Pastel-Simple-Important-points-to-build-an-attractive-personal-website-infographic-432x1080.png 432w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Pastel-Simple-Important-points-to-build-an-attractive-personal-website-infographic-720x1800.png 720w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Pastel-Simple-Important-points-to-build-an-attractive-personal-website-infographic-293x733.png 293w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/Pastel-Simple-Important-points-to-build-an-attractive-personal-website-infographic.png 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 410px) 100vw, 410px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Infographic by James Lawson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Passing the baton<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>In the hope of inspiring everyone to take action to protect their local paths, the charity is also working with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wildlifetrusts.org\/\">Wildlife Trust<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.woodlandtrust.org.uk\/about-us\/where-we-work\/wales\/\">Coed Cadw<\/a> to train local, non-Rambler affiliated volunteers so that communities feel they are \u201cguardians for their path network\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The next time you find yourself wasting a weekend away scrolling through social media posts of the Brecon Beacons and Pembrokeshire coast, also keep an eye out for the paths less travelled.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Access to the countryside should be universal, but walking groups are having to step up to the challenge of protecting it<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":921,"featured_media":65256,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7087,7937],"tags":[654,14,206,95,4190,2239,7905,7904,7903,7902,1147,822,2581,4645],"coauthors":[7702],"class_list":["post-65254","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-long-reads","category-the-edit","tag-exercise","tag-health","tag-mental-health","tag-nature","tag-outdoor-activities","tag-outdoors","tag-path-network","tag-paths","tag-ramblers","tag-rambling","tag-transport","tag-walking","tag-wellbeing","tag-wildlife"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How the state of the path network is gatekeeping the Welsh countryside - alt.cardiff<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Access to the countryside should be universal, but walking groups are having to step up to the challenge of protecting the national path network\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/2022\/12\/20\/how-the-state-of-the-path-network-is-gatekeeping-the-welsh-countryside\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How the state of the path network is gatekeeping the Welsh countryside - alt.cardiff\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Access to the countryside should be universal, but walking groups are having to step up to the challenge of protecting the national path network\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/2022\/12\/20\/how-the-state-of-the-path-network-is-gatekeeping-the-welsh-countryside\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"alt.cardiff\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-12-20T15:53:49+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-10-11T08:49:19+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/altcardiff\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2022\/12\/feature-image.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1500\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"750\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"James Lawson\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@bigjameslawson\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"James 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