New Wales Coastal Path through the Penrhyn Estate, Bangor, opens to the public

Another step on the journey towards re-aligning the Coastal Path to be closer to the coast has been taken as a new section opens through the Penrhyn Estate, Bangor.

 

The completed path will take walkers through woodland on the coastal strip owned by the Penrhyn Estate, Bangor linking Porth Penrhyn with the existing path near the Aberogwen Nature Reserve.

 

Councillor Dafydd Meurig, Cyngor Gwynedd’s Cabinet Member for the Environment, said:

 

“I am delighted to see this public footpath open through Parc Penrhyn. Thank you to everyone involved, it’s great to see Gwynedd leading the way in developing the Coast Path.

 

“This path will be a fantastic resource to local residents, and it will offer breath-taking views of Traeth Lafan and the coastline beyond.”

 

The path is 3.2km long winding through the periphery of the privately owned Penrhyn Estate.

 

Rhys Roberts Coast Path Officer for the region added:

 

“Work started well back in January and despite the wet spring, which delayed the work by a few months, we are now ready to welcome walkers to make the most of this beautiful area.

 

“We would like to thank the Penrhyn Estate for their co-operation whilst our contractors established the path. Some minor works will continue over the next few weeks, but with so much interest in this new section of the path we decided to open as soon as it was practicable to do so.

 

“It’s another milestone for us in Gwynedd as this latest legal agreement takes us over the 20-mile mark of newly created footpaths since 2010.”

 

Establishing the path has included surfacing work; two sections of the Penrhyn Estate wall have been demolished and re-built; pedestrian gates installed; tree safety work; and fencing work.

 

Mr Douglas Pennant and the trustees of the Penrhyn Settled Estates, the owners of Penrhyn Park, said: “My family, the Estate trustees and I are pleased to have been able to work with Cyngor Gwynedd to establish the Parc Penrhyn section of the Wales Coast Path.

 

“We hope that the new path will provide a source of great pleasure for walkers, who will be able to enjoy spectacular views of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Menai Strait and Anglesey.

 

“The family and our trustees look forward to continuing to work with the Council to ensure that the path is of enduring benefit to the community in and around Bangor, and the nation as a whole.”

 

Martin Cox, Natural Resources Wales’ Head of Operations for North Wales said:

 

“Natural Resources Wales has worked closely with Gwynedd’s coastal access team to advise and support this project. Walkers will now see previously unseen views of Anglesey, Penrhyn docks and the Menai Strait.

 

“The newly surfaced path is closer to the coastline for a vastly improved experience. The path has been developed sensitively to ensure that the unique intertidal habitat of the Menai Strait is protected.”

 

Rhys Roberts added: “The project is quite unique as the works had to strike a balance between public access and nature and I think this has been achieved.

 

“The woodland itself is designated ancient woodland, meaning that an appropriate material was needed underneath the compacted aggregate path to protect the roots, other sections are double fenced to prevent disturbance to roosting sites on the foreshore of Traeth Lafan, a designated Special Protected Area.

 

“Environmental mitigation works will continue in the future, bird and bat boxes have been installed and numerous trees will be planted over winter.”

 

The works have been funded by the Welsh Government and the project managed and delivered Cyngor Gwynedd.

 

This path does not provide access to Penrhyn Castle owned by the National Trust. Information about visiting Penrhyn Castle is available on the website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk

 

Find out more about the Wales Coast Path at www.walescoastpath.gov.uk or on  social media: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.