The BBNP And The Dangerous Path
Dear Dr S C Lowthe-Thomas,
Thank you for your email in response to the email that I sent to Judith Harvey. Yes, a timely reply in September 2022 might have helped move things forwards and might have led to better management of the area in question. At that time I clearly indicated that mismanagement was at play here, stating:
‘This is hazardous in itself and any accident at this location must in part, until the BBNP sort out the signage (again I've been asking for this for a good long time now, at least a year), be the responsibility of the BBNP.’
You go no way to answering why this email was unresponded to, in answering why no sensible remedial action was undertaken and why four months later and more importantly following two deaths the area remains a navigation nightmare for the casual visitor. I would very much like these points answered.
In your email you make several statements clarifying the work of the authorities in the area but, as stated, you do not address the key issues that I have raised. As I’ve come to understand this is usual practice for those in authority so I will remind you of the key issues and ask you to respond to the specifics and I will also take the time to address your comments.
SIGNAGE - Signage remains patchy and confusing. This is likely the reason for the majority of those found lost, questioning where to go next and who attempt to find their own route. When I recently visited the area there was no signage directing walkers on the diversion beyond the fence and at the top of the path leading down to Sgwd y Pannwr there was no notice indication that the dangerous path was closed. As road users we are all frustrated by being sent on a diversion only to become lost because further diversion signage is not apparent. This is what the BBNP is doing here… Highly problematic is that many will descend, make their way to Sgwd Isaf Clun Gwyn and not wish to backtrack and ascend the path from Sgwd y Pannwr, but instead will seek a continuance of the route. The laminated maps showing the river crossing above Sgwd Isaf Clun Gwyn I regard as dangerously misleading.
PATH CLOSURE - The closure of the dangerous path, which enables a circular route, preferred by most walkers, I believe, has led to many putting themselves at risk as they either ignore the closure or try to find other ways around the closed section. I would request that as a matter of urgency this path be safely re-instated and by that I mean prior to April.
What I think we have here is planners not users deciding upon the fate of the area. Users need to be consulted as it is users that understand how people make decisions when confronted by a lack of direction and unfamiliar ground.
I don’t believe that the paths are well maintained in the area but I do recognise that some work has been undertaken. Information boards are great and numbered finger posts are excellent, but have you asked the casual users whether they understand and/or use these? Leaflets are good too but at every entry point to the walk that I use leaflets are not available. No one, literally, that I come across, understands the numbered finger posts. Most do not want to map read. It’s such a popular area you must recognise that hand holding is what is required here and by that I mean signposting that a family unfamiliar with the outdoors can understand.
I’ve never seen a BBNP member of staff at Pontneddfechan, at Point Melin Fach, Dinas Rock or indeed at Clun Gwyn. Maybe the staff man Cwm Porth and Gwaun Hepste, I don’t use these locations so I don’t know, but even if this is so this catches far less than half of all visitors.
I do not regard the Waterfalls Area Safety Advisory Group as a legitimate organisation, having been mentioned at one of the meetings in a derogatory manner by a Natural Resources Wales employee and which the NRW management absolutely, as of course they would, denied. As for SWOAPG, you’re joking, right? It was my actions that led to the formation of this group, by inviting the BBNP in to my organisation, the Outdoors Professionals Cooperative, and consulting with a BBNP environment officer, but I left the SWOAPG many moons ago. Why? Because of its inability to police its members, it's bowing to ‘pay for access’ to the great outdoors by mandating membership for access to the Sychryd Gorge, its acceptance of gorge walking in the Mellte and the ridiculously high quota allowed per provider and because the members with the loudest voice ride roughshod over the area and it’s residents, the environment and indeed all other users. I have provided photos and commentary with regards to many providers working outside of the protocols within the gorge and with regards to client numbers and parking but since its inception, no action has been taken. Just last year I evidenced Call of the Wild lying to Judith Harvey, I have the emails, and Judith failed to act. So no, I will not be joining the ‘criminal cartel’ known as SWOAPG.
Further, in 1997, it was I that instigated the work that led to the Environmental Charter, so as you can see, I am not without knowledge and I have a long history of the development of sustainable and positive policy outcomes in outdoor education within the BBNP and on this particular issue, it would be worth stating that I’ve been walking the waterfalls, regularly, since 1988.
QUESTION - Why, despite my warning of misleading the public and potentially sending them into a dangerous situation, is the map showing a crossing over a river and above a waterfall still being displayed?
QUESTION - Given my warnings why have more permanent and clearer signage not been made and installed at each point where a walker could become confused and so end up trying to navigate themselves along or around the dangerous path? By more permanent, I mean something better than a laminated sheet that will be removed by a passer by almost as soon as it is installed.
QUESTION - Will the Brecon Beacons National Park along with Natural Resources Wales take responsibility for the shambles that is waterfall country signage and path maintenance and accept that my warning of accidents at the location where the two women got into trouble, which was ignored by the head warden, ought to lead to some shake up in management and immediate action to mitigate what I see as, especially during high season (April through to the end of September), chaos in the area?
The letter from the Director of nature Recovery and Climate Change at the Brecon Beacons National Park:
Mr Lamb,
Thank you for your email dated 18/01/23, the contents of which have been noted. BBNPA are also now aware of some earlier correspondence from you, and we apologise for not having provided a timely response. I am the Director with responsibility for the paths we own or control, and the matter has been escalated to me to address your concerns.
As you know the promoted routes within the Waterfalls Area are well maintained and checked regularly; signposts and the waymark posts along the promoted routes are synchronised with leaflets and information boards. Despite this, some visitors follow other routes, be they public rights of way, or unregulated paths. One path that is currently closed and subject to a diversion order is a public right of way which is not part of the promoted route network and has permanent signs to warn the unwary and less adventurous to turn back and stay on the wider, and easier to use promoted paths.
Thank you for helping visitors to the area get back on track, our staff and seasonal staff explain the route in detail to walkers in when they leave the car parks and encourage them to either buy a map leaflet or take a picture of the maps on the information boards.
Both Natural Resources Wales and the National Park Authority have carried out path improvements to the surfacing, drainage, and signage on the four falls trail. An audit of the trails was completed last year, and funded path maintenance works are planned for the next three years in the Waterfalls area.
As well as the temporary fencing that you have referred to and temporary information signage about the public path order, other permanent signs are in place warning of the narrow path surface at the suggested turn back points. It is a legal requirement that we post Highways Act notices at the points of the closure at both ends of the path, but as often is the case, people decide to remove the signs or ignore them. The route is inspected, and signs replaced, and fencing made good when needed.
As you have observed, sadly there were two deaths earlier this month. BBNPA cannot speculate on the circumstances of this tragic event as this will be fully investigated by the relevant authorities and will be subject to the findings of the Coroners Court.
The National Park Authority provides the Secretariat for the Waterfalls Area Safety Advisory Group where, along with other organisations, incidents and accidents in the waterfalls area are discussed, analysed and risk assessed, and improvements/remedial actions are implemented. We also work closely with the South Wales Outdoor Activity Providers Group (SWOAPG) to share information and advice in the Waterfalls Area. We would strongly recommend that all outdoor providers who run professional activities within the Brecon Beacons Park, and the south Wales area join this group.
Thank you for bringing these matters to our attention.
Yours sincerely
S C Lowthe-Thomas
Dr Simone Lowthe-Thomas
Cyfarwyddwr Adfer Natur a Newid Hinsawdd
Director of Nature Recovery and Climate Change
Awdurdod Parc Cenedlaethol Bannau Brycheiniog / Brecon Beacons National Park Authority
Plas y Ffynnon
Ffordd Cambrian / Cambrian Way
Aberhonddu / Brecon LD3 7HP
07854 997 526
