A section of the Wales Coastal Path in Neath Port Talbot will remain closed after the local council identified significant ground instability issues that pose a risk to public safety. The closure, which has been in place since 2023, affects the route around Baglan, Briton Ferry, and Sandfields West.
Petition for Reopening
Labour opposition councillors launched an online petition in May, urging the Welsh Government and Neath Port Talbot Council to repair and reopen the path. The petition, led by councillors Josh Tuck, Carol Clement-Williams, and Suzanne Paddison, called for urgent intervention and a clear restoration plan. It also requested that the Welsh Government secure funding and publish a timetable for reopening.
Councillors' Concerns
In an open letter to Welsh Government minister Llŷr Gruffydd, 20 local Labour group members described the prolonged closure as a growing frustration for residents who previously used the path for walking, cycling, and enjoying nature. They noted that the closure has negatively impacted active travel connections, tourism, health, and local wellbeing.
The petition stated: "The Wales Coastal Path is one of our nation's greatest assets – a world-renowned route that should be a source of pride for communities across Wales. Yet for several years major sections around Baglan, Briton Ferry, and Sandfields West have remained closed, fenced-off, and left to deteriorate. This unacceptable situation has denied local people access to an important walking and cycling route, damaged tourism and local businesses, and undermined community wellbeing."
Council's Response
A Neath Port Talbot Council spokesman explained that while the authority is supportive of reopening the route in principle, it is not currently feasible to do so safely or sustainably. The route was closed in 2023 due to significant ground instability, including the formation of sinkholes, which presented an unacceptable risk to public safety.
The spokesman added: "While grant funding can support initial works, the local authority must also consider long-term maintenance, ongoing safety risks, and legal responsibilities, particularly where the route crosses privately owned land and is not recorded as a registered public right of way. The agreed diversion will therefore remain in place at this time."
The council receives funding via Natural Resources Wales to maintain the Wales Coast Path, but the closure is not due to funding allocation. The safety of the public remains paramount, and the council is unable to reopen the section under current constraints.
