Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru | National Assembly for Wales

Y Pwyllgor Newid Hinsawdd, Amgylchedd a Materion Gwledig | Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee

Ymchwiliad i bolisi coedwigaeth a choetiroedd yng Nghymru | Inquiry into Forestry and woodland policy in Wales

FWP 05

Ymateb gan : Cymdeithas Ceffylau Prydain – Cadeirydd Rhanbarthol Canolbarth Cymru

Evidence from : The British Horse Society – Mid Wales Regional Chair

My comments on the Woodlands for Wales Strategy Action Plan progress as at 1 December 2016 as attached to a letter from Lesley Griffiths AM to Mark Reckless AM are as follows:

Point 13 - As a horse rider I am dismayed that there is no mention of horse riding in this point.  Horse riders have been using the Welsh Government Woodlands for many years and in fact there is a long standing Concordat between NRW and The BHS Cymru to cover this.  Horse riders need somewhere safe to ride off road and there is now scant acknowledgement of the economic benefits to Wales of this industry.

Until the advent of mountain biking there has been minimal conflict between user groups, but sadly this has changed and now mountain bikers appear to take precedence over all other users.

I am also a regular walker in the forests and find that there are now no go areas where you walk at your peril.  I volunteer with Sight Cymru and walk with a severely visually impaired client who would love to walk in the forests, but I cannot take this risk.

There is plenty of room for all manner of user groups, but if they are not involved in consultations over access there is a danger that the woodlands will only be used by mountain bikers.  You only have to look at the situation in South Wales to see how dangerous this can be with all the 'Wild Mountain Bike' trails being built without any regard to NRW or other users.

Please will you make sure that ALL user groups are involved in future.