**Council Steps In Over Disputed Gates Blocking Popular Cwmparc Walking Route**
A contentious dispute in the heart of Cwmparc, Rhondda, has intensified as local authorities issue an ultimatum to the owners of large gates which have blocked a much-loved countryside route since February. The barriers, situated on Vicarage Terrace, have become the focal point of a community conflict that has left residents feeling isolated from the forestry walks they have long enjoyed.
The privately owned gates, installed earlier this year by a family new to the village, immediately drew the ire of local people. The gates, accompanied by security staff, quickly led to feelings of exclusion among dog walkers, cyclists, and families from Cwmparc and neighbouring areas, all of whom previously relied on the path for recreation and social activities. The family responsible for the installation argued that persistent misuse of the entrance compelled them to take such measures.
As local frustration grew, Cwmparc witnessed a wave of activism with ‘No to the gate’ signs and stickers appearing in windows and public spaces across the village and nearby Treorchy. Community members rallied together, calling upon Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council to uphold what they viewed as their right of access to the beloved forestry.
In response, the council issued an enforcement notice mandating the removal of the gates by 8 June. However, when the deadline arrived, residents were dismayed to find that the gates still stood. Instead, a temporary pathway had been created alongside the barriers in an apparent attempt to address the access concerns. This move, however, failed to appease locals, many of whom regarded the new route as inadequate compared to their historic access point.
Richard Clarke, a prominent figure in the community campaign labelled ‘GateGate’, highlighted the ongoing frustration, describing the gates as a “physical obstruction” that remains deeply symbolic of what the community feels has been unjustly taken from them. Clarke and others have insisted that only the full removal of the gates will restore proper public access and community relations.
The council’s latest intervention has increased pressure on the gate’s owners. In a robust statement, council leader Andrew Morgan made it clear that the current arrangement does not satisfy legal requirements. “With the expiration of the notice, our officers are not satisfied with the access arrangements, which fail to provide the public with unrestricted access to the highway. The gates must be removed over the weekend,” Morgan outlined. He further warned that if action was not taken voluntarily, the council would authorise its own contractors to carry out the removal.
Authorities also addressed the legality of any alterations to public highways, clarifying that diversions or changes must adhere to proper legal channels, including planning considerations, with final decisions vested in a Magistrates’ Court. The council urged all sides to remain calm and responsible as the situation unfolds, reaffirming its commitment to resolving the dispute.
For many in the community, the incident encapsulates broader concerns around access to valued green spaces and the impact of new private ownership on rural traditions. The impasse has also highlighted the balancing act local authorities must perform in navigating property rights, public expectations, and legal frameworks.
As the deadline for action arrives, attention now turns to whether the property owners will comply or if council intervention will be required. The outcome is set to determine not just practical access to the forestry, but also the future tone of community relations in Cwmparc and beyond.
With passions still running high and the story drawing local and regional interest, this dispute serves as a timely reminder of the importance of public spaces, and the complexities involved when new boundaries—literally and figuratively—are drawn in long-established communities.