Working with Hay Town Council, Local Councillors and local contractor DJ Engineering, National Park Authority Wardens have implemented significant improvements to the Bailey Walk footpath to upgrade its accessibility for walkers.
The Bailey Walk is a popular local footpath which follows the banks of the River Wye from Hay town to the Warren fields on the outskirts of the town. The path is a barrier free walk route, popular with dog walkers and accessible by people of all abilities.
The improvements required the replacement of almost 250 metres of timber revetment and re-grading of the path to help stabilise and prevent it slipping towards the river. Several dead trees were also identified close to the path and were removed to make the path safe.
The site is afforded the additional protection as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Conservation Area so before the work was carried out special permissions were required from the Countryside Council for Wales and Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority’s planning department.
Nick Jones, Eastern Area Warden for Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority said: “The Bailey Walk is a very popular route in Hay on Wye – both for residents and visitors. Although we identified a few projects in Hay that required improvements, we decided to tackle this one first which was the by far the largest and the most in need of repair. We also carried out other work at various sites in Hay including path drainage and post and rail fencing.
“Without funding support from CCW, the Welsh Government and help from the community of Hay, we wouldn’t have been able to complete the works required at these special sites and we’re really pleased that they are now safe and accessible for walkers to enjoy.”
County Cllr for Powys and Member for Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority Gareth Ratcliffe, said: “As a representative for Hay Town Council, we are really pleased to have been involved in this project from the start and we extend our thanks to Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority for the partnership approach that they have taken to improve the Bailey Walk and other areas around Hay on Wye. Bailey Walk is certainly the most popular walking route in Hay and we’ve already had some excellent feedback from residents in the area who regularly use the route and are really pleased with the work that has been carried out.”
The project was funded through the Authority’s continuing Rights of Way Improvement Plan programme, a scheme which is grant aided by the Countryside Council for Wales and the Welsh Government. The Authority received £55513 through this scheme in 2011/12 and more repairs are planned for the coming financial year.
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