A Brynaman pensioner has hit out Carmarthenshire County Council for failing to make a footpath safe for public use.

John Cue, of 3 Maes y Deri, complained to the council last summer about the poor condition of the track which leads from the estate to the main Amman Valley cyclepath.

“I complained to the council about the walkway because I was concerned that someone may fall and seriously hurt themselves,” said Mr Cue.

“I attended a meeting at Ammanford Town Hall and spoke with two council officials who assured me they would investigate the area and recondition the footpath – but that never happened.

“Workmen have only patched up a few holes and the path is still extremely dangerous to walk on.”

The 76-year-old who has tendentious and arthritis in his right hand and, at times, finds it difficult to use his walking-stick which then restricts him from walking down the track.

“To walk down the path I would have to use my walking-stick," said Mr Cue.

"However, it is not always possible because my right hand gets too painful, so when this happens I have to find an alternative route to access the cycle route."

Fellow resident Malcolm Barnatt said: “It is about time this council woke up – the path is in extremely poor condition.

“Patching it up by filling in a few holes here - and- there is just not good enough.

"We are fortunate to live in beautiful surroundings - but access to the cycle route needs to be safe and secure for everyone."

The picturesque cycle link between Ammanford and Cwmtwrch is regularly used by residents and walkers throughout the Amman Valley and it forms part of a nation-wide cycle route running the length of the country.

Pensioner Gwynfor Thomas said: “A lot of people use the path especially in the summer – walking clubs get dropped off at the top of my road and walk down the path to join the main walkway.”

“It is absolutely ridiculous the path is in a terrible state - instead of fixing the council have made more of a mess.

“Personally, I never use it anymore because it is far too dangerous.”

The council’s countryside and parks manager, Rory Dickinson said: “The council takes pride in our beautiful countryside and footpaths which are maintained by our ranger service for the public’s enjoyment and wellbeing.

"The path that links into Ynys Dawela is a footpath crossing open grassy land and, like most other rights of way throughout Wales that cross fields and woodlands, it does not have a hard concrete or tarmac surface.

"The path has undergone maintenance and repair works in the past, cutting back vegetation and replacement of steps, but being quite steep in part the surface materials tend to wash off it after heavy rain.

"If Mr Cue contacts us then we are more than happy to assess what repair works, if any, are needed.”