Volunteers' success in campaign to keep historic path
A long -standing dispute has finally been settled for the Ramblers' Association in Carmarthenshire. 'Ramblers win battle for historic footpaths' was how the South Wales Evening Post described Llanelli Ramblers' victory when their objection to the closure of footpaths at Mynydd Sylen, the highest geographical point in the Llanelli area, was upheld at a public inquiry.
The 14-year dispute between Llanelli Ramblers and farmer WJ Rees, of Sylen Ranch, Mynydd Sylen, featured in the BBC's Countryside at War programme. Broadcast nationwide earlier this year, the mainstream publicity helped to drum up local and national interest in the problem. The programme dealt with two of the five paths over Mr Rees's land, and subsequently Mr Rees applied to extinguish the other three.
Against the advice of their own Rights of Way Officer, Carmarthenshire councillors voted to approve the extinguishment. Llanelli Ramblers' footpaths officer Peter Davies objected - and the stage was set for the public inquiry.
Geoffrey Williams, Dyfed RA secretary, led for the Ramblers, challenging the county authority's decision, saying there was no legal justification for banning people from rights of way that were historic, scenic and formed important links with the footpath network in the area. The BBC video was shown to the Assembly-appointed inspector highlighting the problems faced by anyone attempting to walk the footpaths.