“MTB volunteer groups are ready to support Cwmcarn Forest”

The future of Cwmcarn Forest Drive has been called into question, with the destination looking to the private sector to step in for the site which has been judged “financially unviable” in its current state.

However, the MTB community has said it is ready to help, with volunteer groups geared up and willing to work with this site – and others – to help bridge funding gaps.

Cwmcarn Forest Drive is operated by Caerphilly County Borough Council, through an agreement with Natural Resources Wales (NRW), the landowner. The Council has stated Cwmcarn Forest Drive is not under threat, however it has identified the cost of running to be an approx. £323,000. As reported by Nation Cymru, the Council and NRW are now looking to the private sector to help run it.

Reportedly, despite willingness by volunteer MTB groups to help step in, offers have failed to be heard by the powers that be.

Robin Grant, Chair, UK MTB Trail Alliance, said: “The UK MTB Trail Alliance will do all it can to support the Cwmcarn MTB Trail Crew and the Risca Riders, to try to ensure the outcome of this process is as positive for mountain bikers as possible. Keep your eye out for a call to action to help when the public consultation happens in the next few weeks.”

Grant added: “It’s worrying that Cwmcarn now faces an uncertain future, alongside Coed y Brenin and Bwlch Nant yr Arian, and let’s face it, all of the NRW-run mountain biking facilities in Wales. This comes at a time when there are volunteer groups the length and breadth of Wales ready and waiting to take more responsibility for their local trails, but with NRW currently seemingly organisationally incapable of working with them.

“The Welsh Government, with input from stakeholders, including the UK MTB Trail Alliance, need to urgently address this, by promoting change in NRW’s internal processes which would enable them to work better with volunteer groups, to help bridge the funding gap for trails.”

NRW responded to CIN with this comment:

“Cwmcarn is an important and much-loved attraction and we’re working with Caerphilly County Council to explore options that will further enhance the site so it can continue to attract more visitors and be enjoyed by future generations,” said Rhys Handley, Land Management Team Leader for Natural Resources Wales.

“We’re seeking a collaboration with the private sector which will focus on further enhancing and improving the offer at Cwmcarn which has already benefitted from significant improvements over recent years.

“We want that to continue and want to reassure local residents, visitors and other groups that use the site for recreational purposes that the future of the site is not under threat.

“As has always been the case with developing our plans for Cwmcarn, public engagement will be a key part of this process.

“We are looking to hold a number of public engagement sessions to provide local residents and visitors with an opportunity to come and meet with staff and ask any questions they may have. More information will be provided in due course.”