**Cwmparc Rejoices as Community Wins 100-Day Battle for Countryside Access**
Residents in the Welsh community of Cwmparc are celebrating the removal of controversial gates that had cut off access to cherished local countryside, following more than three months of tireless campaigning. The victory, which campaigners hailed as a triumph of community spirit, came after 116 days of protest and negotiation.
The gates in question had suddenly appeared back in February, sealing off a much-loved route to the Cwmparc forestry. For decades, this pathway was popular with locals: dog walkers, cyclists, horse riders and school children all found daily solace among the trees and rolling hills. Their sudden exclusion from the land they regarded as their own backyard fuelled a passionate and united response across the neighbouring villages.
A petition demanding the gates’ removal gathered over 4,000 signatures in record time, and the issue rapidly became known locally as ‘Gategate’. Posters and stickers adorned windows throughout Cwmparc and nearby Treorchy, while a peaceful protest was staged outside the new homeowners’ property, whose decision to install the gates sparked the furore. Despite a severe weather warning, turnout and determination remained high.
The property owners, who had only recently moved to the area, argued they had acted out of necessity, claiming their entrance had been abused. However, their actions soon drew the attention of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, which determined the gates unlawfully blocked a public highway. In April, the council served an enforcement notice requiring their removal.
Richard Clarke, a prominent organiser of the campaign, expressed widespread relief and happiness at the outcome. “The whole community feels like a weight has been lifted,” Mr Clarke stated. “The outpouring of joy since the gates came down has made every bit of the fight worthwhile.” Residents report a palpable lift in mood: “People are walking around with smiles on their faces this morning,” he added, describing the message as simple: “It’s not about me – it’s about the people of Cwmparc and Treorchy.”
For many, the access issue ran far deeper than mere inconvenience. Some had scattered the ashes of loved ones in the gentle hills, viewing the land as a space for remembrance and solace. Heidi Jo Redwood, who now lives elsewhere, explained: “That mountain walk means more to me than words can say. It’s a place for quiet reflection – it holds huge sentimental value.”
Back in February, residents voiced their heartbreak at being abruptly cut off. Esther Nagle, who has lived in the village for over a decade, described the forestry walk as “everything”. The mental health benefits of freely accessing green space and walking familiar routes were often cited in messages of support for the campaign.
Despite the council’s demands and mounting community pressure, the homeowners initially constructed an alternative path to skirt around the gates, a move which campaigners and the council found inadequate. The pathway was described by Mr Clarke as a “far inferior” substitute, while Rhondda Cynon Taf Council maintained this did not solve the issue of the blocked public highway.
The situation came to a head when Andrew Morgan, leader of the council, issued a final ultimatum: either the gates would be removed by the homeowners, or the council would dispatch contractors to do it themselves. By Friday, 13 June, the gates were finally dismantled, much to the elation of all involved.
Mr Clarke described the scene soon after access was restored: “I met many happy faces – people eager to return to their routine walks and spend time in the place that means so much to them.” For the campaigners, the focus is now on enjoying the open countryside, respecting the land, and ensuring visitors leave it just as they found it. Mr Clarke added: “We hope everyone comes to see the beauty of Treorchy and Cwmparc, as well as supporting local businesses. Let’s continue looking after our mountain together.”
The Cwmparc campaign stands as a testament to what can be achieved when a community bands together. As walkers and riders returned to their pathways under June sun, it was clear that the victory would echo far beyond the Rhondda valleys.