Gwynedd Council Stupidity

[JohnClimber]

Gwynedd council are considering closing Barmouth bridge to walkers and cyclists.
And therefore killing their own tourist trade.

Please sign the petition here and tell them how stupid they are.

https://www.change.org/p/gwynedd-counci ... st=control

[Bearbonesnorm]

Well done John.

I know there's cuts everywhere but that really does seem very short sighted on behalf of the council. I'd urge everyone to take the 3 minutes required to sign the petition ... you may never have used the bridge but once it's gone, you never will. It links up some fantastic riding and Barmouth still has a Milk Bar that does a mega breakfast for £6.95

[welshwhit]

Another 243 folk would help this out!

[Scattamah]

220 to go. 18 extra miles to the milk bar seems crazy!

Greetz

S.

[Bearbonesnorm]

18 extra miles to the milk bar seems crazy!

It's like an extra hour and a quarter before you get your breakfast ... 'tis just wrong.

[JohnClimber]

18 extra miles to the milk bar seems crazy!

It's like an extra hour and a quarter before you get your breakfast ... 'tis just wrong.

And on busy narrow winding roads.
It's a great link for the Mawddach Trail and anyone riding with Pont Scethin in mind

Such as this classic ride http://www.theedgecycleworks.com/mtbrou ... t-scethin/

Fat Fifth was in the area and it was because of this bridge link.

WWIB (What Would Ian Barrington) have done without this bridge for his Pont Scethin bivi ride that he filmed*
*I think he used this bridge but I've not checked

From here
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-w ... ct-9841952
"The council has to give Network Rail £30,800 a year to keep the bridge open for pedestrians."
Why the hell do they have to do that?

[Mike]

another one here!! madness they waste money on sub standard elsewhere so why worry about alittle extra cost for the bridge??

[JohnClimber]

Why don't they pay £15k a year each to 2 part timers to take it in turns to sit in the toll booth from 9am until 5pm every day 7 days a week to collect a quid from each person over the bridge each way?

Say 1000 people use this bridge a week
Employment goes down
Wages get paid
7 day coverage
it won't cut numbers using the bridge
£30,800 bill get's paid to Network Rail
excess money goes towards the repairs

[Pyro]

Signed it and forwarded on. We ride over that way on one of the Adventure Cross events like that, I thought Barmouth bridge and the little toll bridge below Dolgellau were ace.

[Gari]

I lived on Mawddach Terrace many years ago when I was freelancing in NW, that was the walk/cycle to the shops in Barmouth and I can't imagine it not having been there! We used to pay 20p each way if I remember rightly.

[Charliecres]

Signed.

[mountainbaker]

Signed too. Would be a real shame to close this.

[Fat tyre kicker]

Signed and shared.....I remember following a 'crazy guy' over this on
The way back to a campsite in the dark.......Hi John

[bryanwadd]

Well this sounds somewhat stupid and short sighted! Singed and shared.

Bryan

[JohnClimber]

I'm not one to write angry letters but I did do for this and here is the reply back from the council.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you for your recent enquiry with regards to the above matter.


It is possibly worth outlining first of all that a decision has not been made to close pedestrian access across Barmouth viaduct. There is an agreement in place between Gwynedd Council and Network Rail which allows a pedestrian access and clarifies maintenance liabilities. The access arrangements include payment from Gwynedd Council to Network Rail of some £30,800 which safeguards the pedestrian access.


Over recent months, detailed work has been carried out across all the Council’s Departments to identify possible options for service cuts. A list of over 100 possible cuts worth some £12 million have been identified, from which the Council will need to agree on £9 million of actual cuts in early 2016. This long list of possible options, which will be the subject of a an extensive county wide public engagement during this Autumn includes the £30,800 payment the Council makes to Network Rail to pay for pedestrians crossing their viaduct.


I would also confirm that the Council is in initial discussion with Network Rail in light of the possible cuts and the significant structural works that are to be undertaken on the viaduct with the view of maintaining the ongoing pedestrian access over the viaduct. A link is noted below to allow you to register your views on the consultation.


https://www.gwynedd.gov.uk/en/Council/N ... llion.aspx


I trust that this explains the current situation.


Yours sincerely

Dafydd Williams



Dafydd Wyn Williams

Pennaeth Adran Rheoleiddio [Dros Dro] (Cynllunio, Trafnidiaeth, Eiddo a Gwarchod y Cyhoedd)

Head of Regulatory Department [Interim] (Planning, Transportation, Property & Public Protection)

[fatbikephil]

Sounds a reasonable reply but its a sign of the times - the country is broke and the government is determined to screw councils into the ground which means that we the tax payer suffer.... But at least we'll be able to nuke anyone that upsets us

[Mariner]

Petition now at 20,000.
Surprised CTC are not involved but then if its not in London.........
Perhaps BB can take it over

[deft punk]

This may be of interest... http://www.sustrans.org.uk/our-services ... ts-economy

In particular...

“The riverside is a very important part of the tourism industry in Worcester but until the bridge was built there was no way of getting from one side to the other.

“As a result of the bridge being built and the route being part of the National Cycle Network, we have experienced a real benefit and I’m sure other businesses near the route have seen an increase in business too.

“There’s been at least a 20% increase in our bar and restaurant sales and we also think the new route will increase our hotel figures in the future, as it brings more walkers and cyclists to the area.”