Over 90 organisations and trail groups have joined forces to voice concerns over planned cuts to trail centres by Natural Resources Wales. In an unprecedented show of solidarity, over 90 organisations have pulled together to highlight concerns over the fate of several much-loved trail centres due to proposed budget cuts at Natural Resources Wales. These include the birthplace of the trail centre, and the unofficial home of mountain biking in the UK, Coed y Brenin. Bringing these fears to the highest levels, the group has written a letter to the Welsh Government’s Minister responsible for Natural Resources Wales (NRW) ahead of a board meeting on 25 September, which will decide the fate of Coed y Brenin and a number of other Welsh mountain biking sites. The organisations include Cycling UK, Beicio Cymru (formerly Welsh Cycling), the UK MTB Trail Alliance, Mountain Bike Wales and the Wales Adventure Tourism Organisation among others.
This decision was met with mixed reactions from the public, with some expressing support for the closures while others voiced concerns about the impact on tourism and local businesses. The NRW’s rationale behind the closures is to reduce costs and streamline its operations. They argue that by transferring the management of visitor centres to new organisations, they can save money on staffing and maintenance costs.
**Funding Trails and Visitor Centres: A Vital Investment**
**1. Funding for Trails and Visitor Centres:**
The letter emphasizes the need for adequate funding to ensure the long-term sustainability of the trails and visitor centres. This funding should be allocated to cover operational costs, such as staff salaries, maintenance, and repairs.
The closure of visitor centres is a significant issue for the National Park Service (NPS) and its visitors. It raises concerns about accessibility, safety, and the overall visitor experience. The NPS has a long history of providing visitor services, and its visitor centres are integral to the park experience. They offer a wealth of information about the park’s history, ecology, and cultural significance.
* **Increased funding for trail maintenance and development.** This is a crucial aspect of ensuring the safety and enjoyment of MTB trails. * **Improved access to trails for all abilities.** This includes providing more accessible routes and facilities for riders of all skill levels. * **Greater collaboration between stakeholders.** This involves working together to manage and develop trails in a sustainable and responsible manner.
The letter outlines five key requests to the Welsh Government to help secure the future of Welsh mountain biking. These requests are:
This lack of communication and engagement from NRW is creating a sense of frustration and apathy among volunteer trail management groups. This is leading to a decline in the number of volunteers and a decrease in the quality of trail maintenance. The lack of communication and engagement from NRW is also impacting the enjoyment of the trails.
This shows the public’s strong support for these centres. The petition was launched by the Welsh government and the campaigners behind the centres. The petition highlighted the importance of these centres for tourism, recreation, and education. The centres are vital for the local economy, providing jobs and supporting local businesses. They also offer a unique opportunity for people to connect with nature and learn about the environment.
and businesses across Wales. Trails in Wales, and across the UK, face a crisis, with little to no money for ongoing maintenance or improvement. Volunteer groups are primed to help, but NRW and other public sector bodies need to radically simplify the way they work with volunteers to allow this to happen. We call on the Welsh Government to reconsider, and to implement our five asks.” Basically, if we don’t fight for it, we could lose it. And if NRW succeeds in closing the centres (however temporarily) and reducing trail management on 25 September, it could set a dangerous precedent for the whole of the UK. Not only will they be closing the visitor centres, but it means no trail maintenance will be able to take place – from volunteer groups nor commercial partners. Mountain biking isn’t just about hitting gnarly jumps and features, it’s about getting people outside, being healthy and fit and provides wider benefits to the local population. Of course, we’re biased, and we think it’s important. But from a public health or tourism perspective, it is important, and it’s worth trying to save for future generations as well as our own.
ukmtb.org
