A ‘Public Footpath Creation Order’ has been made by Gwynedd Council to establish a public footpath across Penrhyn Estate, linking Aberogwen and Porth Penrhyn in Bangor. The new footpath would supplement the Wales Coast Path.
The council has created the order under the Highways Act 1980, Section 26, which gives local authorities compulsory powers to create public footpaths where the local authority believes there is need and would add to the convenience or enjoyment of the public and local residents.
Members of the public do not currently have a right of way from Aberogwen bridge to Porth Penrhyn, meaning those using the Wales Coast Path have to make a long detour to Tal-y-bont, through Llandygai and along the A5 to Porth Penrhyn in order to re-join the Wales Coast Path.
The Public Footpath Creation Order from Gwynedd Council states ‘There is need for a public footpath over land known as ‘Penrhyn Estate’. The proposed footpath has a total distance of 2,919 meters and a general width of 2.5 meters with a predominantly natural surface.
Penrhyn Castle and 40,000 acres (160 km2) of land were accepted by the treasury in lieu of death duties from Lady Janet Pelham and handed over to the National Trust in 1951. Although the site receives over 100,000 visitors each year, there is currently no public right of way across the land.
Siân Gwenllian, who has represented the Arfon area in the Senedd since 2016 welcomed the news, noting that she was glad that “discussions had come to fruition” regarding the proposal.
Nigel Pickavance, councillor for Marchog in Bangor, said: “This is something many people have discussed for decades, it is absolutely brilliant news.”
Representatives from any concerned party have 28 days (from 12 May 2021) to object to the order.
Photos: Aberogwen, Map of the existing coastal path and the proposed footpath.
