MOUNTAIN bikers who use the trails around Cwmcarn Forest are growing frustrated with the disruption caused by tree felling in the area.
The Argus has received reports that work to cut down diseased trees has led to logging debris being left blocking trails and fire roads in the forest.
Now, a petition to get Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and logging contractors Euroforest to clear debris from sites no longer being felled and to reopen the mountain bike trails is in its early stages.
Steve Harris, a regular on the Cwmcarn trails, started the petition.
He said: “Cwmcarn is such a wonderful local asset, one of the original assets in the mountain biking community in South Wales, and it’s a shame it’s not getting the TLC it deserves.
“The contractors are dragging their feet with trail reparations.”
Cwmcarn Forest Drive was closed to cars in 2014, when NRW began felling trees to halt the spread of larch disease.
As a consequence, the mountain bike trails in the forest were also closed. However, this was to be a temporary measure.
Sally Tansey, NRW Regional Land Manager said: “The scale of felling in Cwmcarn Forest has been unprecedented, with 160,000 diseased trees needing to be removed.
“Despite this, we’ve always managed to keep some mountain bike trails and footpaths open. However, people’s safety is always our main priority.
“We keep the mountain biking community and local businesses up to date with diversions and closures.”
Mr Harris said he believes the work should have been done gradually in order to avoid lengthy disruption.
He said: “The sensible thing to do would be to clear and area and restore the path. Then you would move along to a new area, clear that area and restore that section of path.”
Five years later it seems that mountain bikers will have to continue to wait for the trails in the hills surrounding Cwmcarn to be completely rideable once again.
The longest route, the 15km red-graded Cafall, remains entirely closed. Metal fences and felled trees blocking the way.
Mr Harris claims that the work and trail closures have meant that the number of people visiting the area has dramatically declined.
“The number of people using the trail has gone dropped from around 90,000 each year to fewer than 20,000,” he said.
He also believes that local businesses are suffering as a result of the decline in trade.
South Wales East AM Mohammad Asghar raised questions over the continued closure of the forest drive in the Assembly earlier this month
Mr Asghar also spoke of his concern at the situation being faced by Cwmcarn mountain bikers, adding: “I am aware that Cwmcarn has two of the best trails for mountain biking in Wales and Natural Resources Wales has a duty to ensure that any inconvenience caused by tree felling should be kept to a minimum.”
NRW claim the felling operation is expected to continue through to 2020.
Euroforest was approached for comment but was not available.
To add your name to Mr Harris’ petition, visit PSCycles next to the Cwmcarn Forest Drive car park.
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