Fears for the future of footpaths are shared (From South Wales Guardian)

Fears for the future of footpaths are shared

3:00pm Saturday 22nd September 2012 in Ammanford news

LOCAL footpaths that are becoming overgrown due to lack of maintenance could be lost to future generations, a Betws community councillor has warned.

Cllr Dewi Branch told colleagues he was deeply concerned about the state of some right of ways and said urgent action was required.

“Isn’t there an obligation for Carmarthenshire County Council to maintain these?” he asked.

Cllr June Gunter suggested offenders doing community service could be utilised. “You never see them carrying out this sort of work,” she said. Cllr Richard Howell felt Dinefwr Ramblers could be encouraged to walk the paths and council chair Anne Sizmur invited concerned members of the public to write or e-mail community clerk Cerith Griffiths, who would then forward them to the county council.

“We have to remember there are only two rangers looking after these footpaths in the whole of the county,” he told councillors.

“It’s a pretty tall order for them to maintain footpaths not just in Betws but throughout the whole of Carmarthenshire.”

Cllr Branch replied: “That’s precisely why we have to pursue this matter.”

Mr Griffiths said that years ago the community council paid someone to maintain their footpaths.

“Now it’s the responsibility of the county council, but I’m afraid the work is not being done,” he conceded.

Cllr Branch said Llannon community council had taken responsibility for their own footpaths, but Cllr Sizmur said Llannon had greater resources.