D-Day Looms For Caerphilly Trails

The future of an unofficial cycling course used by BMX and jump bikers in a woodland near Caerphilly could be decided this month. Forestry Commission Wales is seeking people's views on the site in Parc y Van woodland. The Commission hopes to find a partner to help it manage the controversial site which has become increasingly challenging over the past six years as cyclists expanded the area and introduced more jumps. Previous efforts to work with users of the site failed, and now FC Wales is making a final attempt throughout April to explore options for the course and find someone it can work with to ensure the long term management of the site. There has been a dramatic increase in off-road cycling in Wales's woodlands as the popularity of FC Wales's trails centred around its visitor centres has mushroomed. However, the rise in the number of unauthorised trails which do not meet minimum construction standards and put other forest users at risk forced the Forestry Commission to revise its guidance on the construction and management of cycling facilities. Marc Langley, Local Area Manager in south Wales, said, "As a responsible landowner, we have a duty to ensure the safety of all those who seek to enjoy spending time in our woodlands. "Unfortunately, the jump spot in Caerphilly fails to meet these standards and bringing it into line requires a substantial investment of public money. Unlike our managed trails, we have no information on user numbers so it is difficult for us to justify such investment of public funds." Mr Langley said guidance on trail safety said that, wherever possible, challenging facilities must have good emergency access and procedures, but the Caerphilly jump spot was relatively isolated. The "runs" within the jump area would also have to be graded and laid out so that users could not mistakenly expose themselves to more demanding jumps or obstacles than they intended. "FC Wales is the leading provider of off-road cycling in Wales and we aim to continue to provide world-class off-road cycling opportunities to our visitors. To do this we need to ensure that all facilities meet the high standards we set for ourselves and that our visitors have come to expect," said Mr Langley. "Our visitors have the right to expect that all FC Wales-managed facilities meet high standards, are well managed and fit for purpose. To ensure this, we have to exercise proper control over what is built on the land we manage." He said inappropriate and unauthorised cycle use or trail construction in public woodlands would be challenged, but FC Wales would try to work with people to promote responsible off-road cycling wherever it could. Caerphilly Council provides many authorised facilities for jump cycles and BMX riding in areas throughout the county, and there is a skills section in Cwmcarn managed by FC Wales. If a suitable partner cannot be found over the next month to manage the Parc y Van woodland site, the most likely outcome is that the site will be levelled and the ground re-instated to woodland, given concerns about its isolation and present condition. The Commission wants to hear from people and organisations by email on [email protected] or by writing to Forestry Commission Wales, Coed Y Cymoedd Forest District, Resolven, Neath, SA11 4DR.