According to several reports we have seen, it’s looking very likely that in the short term, several trail centres, including Coed y Brenin and Nant yr Arian will be forced to close, pending talks between NRW (Natural Resource Wales) and trade unions. Robin Grant from UK MTB Trail Alliance has summarised things for us, so it’s over to him:
NRW announced Wednesday they were planning a cost-cutting re-structure, involving laying off staff.
“to manage the financial challenges faced by Natural Resources Wales (NRW), a review of work has been undertaken to prioritise the activities we undertake, reflecting our statutory duties
The level of resource committed to some activities will scale back including outdoor access and recreation”
and:
“the changes we are proposing to the Trade Unions show how we plan to reduce our budget by £13 million for the 1 April 2025, through removing 265 posts, of which 108 posts are vacant, from our structure”
This alone could be extremely bad news for not just NRW-managed mountain bike trails in Wales, with potential cuts to both the staff who look after mountain bike trails in Wales and to their maintenance budgets, but, unless we can encourage a change in the way NRW works with them, also for volunteer groups wishing to have an agreement with NRW to manage their local trails (as there’ll be even fewer, but more overloaded, people on the NRW side to work with them to do so).
And then yesterday, we saw the news they are closing all three of their visitor centres (all of which are in mid Wales):
NRW said that there are no confirmed dates for the closures. The Cambrian News has been told however that they could theoretically close in a month.
The proposal is that all visitor centres are to close in the short-term, while NRW looks for alternative partners to deliver the provision on our behalf.
“Because we need to ensure the consultation is meaningful we cannot at this stage engage with any potential partners at any sites, as this would look, incorrectly, that a final decision had been made which it has not.”
“If the outcome of the consultation is that NRW proceeds along these lines, we will then start engaging with potential partners, including community groups, over future operations”
“Trails, access, carparks, and toilets would all continue on site.”
This is backed up by Nation.Cymru, but the BBC have a slightly different take here.
Which isn’t great news either! If true, this means the visitor centres at Coed-y-Brenin and Nant yr Arian will be closed from some point September onwards until NRW have identified, negotiated and agreed an arrangement with third parties to run them. And that identification and negotiation process won’t begin until mid-September at the earliest!
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This does not bode well for the future of mountain biking in Wales, but it’s a future we need to face up to and deal with as best we can. We need to be in a position to convince the Welsh Government that the mountain bike community can be a trusted partner. One that can help relieve some of the budgetary pressure by taking on responsibility for looking after their local trails. But also to help them understand that this can only happen if they cut back on the red tape that is currently blocking it.
The UK MTB Trail Alliance will only be able to do this if we ourselves are seen as a trusted and properly constituted partner, who have the backing of mountain bikers. We’ve currently raised only just over a third of the £10k we need to get us set up properly as a charity and take us through our first year. Now is the time to dig deep and donate to our GoFundMe if you can: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-to-protect-your-trails
Mon 5th Aug Update – we’ve been sent this statement from Robbie George, Director of Development & Events at Beicio Cymru, who has been working with stakeholders across Wales to develop mountain biking:
“The recent news regarding potential redundancies at NRW sites across Wales, including Coed y Brenin and Nant yr Arian, is indeed concerning and our first thoughts are with those at risk of losing their jobs. Coed y Brenin is not just Europe’s first dedicated trail centre and a premier trail centre but a vital economic driver, attracting around 100,000 visitors annually and supporting numerous local jobs. The mountain biking industry significantly contributes to the Welsh economy, with centres like Coed y Brenin exemplifying how local community assets can be huge economic drivers through tourism.
To protect our green spaces and ensure their availability for future generations, we must prioritise the development and maintenance of trail centres, which includes having attractive services at sites to provide jobs as well as service tourists. This involves securing adequate funding and fostering partnerships with local communities and businesses. Investing in these recreational hubs not only promotes physical well-being but also sustains economic vitality in rural areas.
Whilst we have assurances from NRW that the trails and networks at Coed y Brenin & wider will continue to be served, we are concerned that investment in the trails will not be what it has been due to the funding challenges NRW faces. We urge NRW to work collaboratively, as outlined in their Recreation Strategy, and at pace with the brilliant volunteers and trail groups that continue to show willing to manage these trails for the benefit of future generations. We are concerned that the thriving local bike businesses, including shops, coaches and leading businesses will be negatively impacted by the reduced services available at these centres which will undoubtedly impact footfall. As well as sourcing commercial operators to manage the visitor centre, they must also ensure main attraction – the unbelievable forest and trails – is maintained and developed.
Wales simply cannot afford to lose these vital centres full stop, but the decline of the trails in recent years is noticeable. We are already losing market share to Scotland and elsewhere in Europe, it cannot be allowed to decline further.
Beicio Cymru stands committed to collaborating with stakeholders to secure the future of Coed y Brenin and similar facilities across Wales.”
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