Clydach Gorge Countryside Recreation Visitor Gateways

Home , A465 road, Clydach Gorge, Gilwern, Llanelly, Llanfoist, Llanfoist Fawr

Volume II : Final Report (including Technical Appendices)

Monmouthshire County Council

March 2009

CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION AND CONTEXT

101 Introduction 102 Study Brief 103 Study Team 104 Study Methodology 105 Study Area 106 Structure Of Report 107 Study Management And Acknowledgements

2. STRATEGIC CONTEXT

201 Introduction 202 Profile Of Monmouthshire And Clydach 203 The Strategic Context 204 Conclusion

3. ANALYSIS OF CURRENT SITUATION

301 Introduction 302 Resources 303 The Natural Heritage Resource 304 The Cultural Heritage 305 Social History 306 Access And Recreation 307 Interpretation And Education 308 Community And Economic Perspective 309 Landscape Assessment 310 Potential Impact Of The A465 : Mitigation Essential 311 Findings From Our Consultations 312 Conclusion

4. GATEWAYS AND THEIR POTENTIAL

401 Introduction 402 What Is A Gateway? 403 What Is Visitor Communication? 404 Gateways Are An Integral Part Of Visitor Management 405 There Are Different Types Of Gateway 406 So How Does This Relate To Clydach Gorge? 407 A465 Layby West Of Abergavenny 408 Llanfoist 409 Govilon Wharf 4010 King George V Playing Fields Govilon 4011 Land In The Vicinity Of Gilwern Roundabout And Gilwern Village 4012 Clydach South 4013 Brynmawr Roundabout 4014 Existing Laybys On A465 West Of Brynmawr 4015 Dispersed Gateways 4016 Conclusion

5. KEY FINDINGS : TOWARDS A STRATEGY

501 Introduction 502 Key Findings From The Appraisal And Analysis 503 Vision And Objectives 504 Establishing The Business Case 505 Towards A Strategy 506 Conclusion

6. KEY PROPOSALS

601 Introduction 602 Clydach South 603 Access And Recreation 604 Interpretation And Education 605 The Development Of Visitor Gateways 606 Physical Enhancements 607 Associated Tourism Infrastructure 608 Mechanism For Delivery 609 Action Plan 610 Conclusion

7. CONCLUSIONS AND NEXT STEPS

701 Conclusion 702 Next Steps

APPENDICES

A. List Of Consultees

B. Bibliography

C. Strategic Context

D. Gateway Theory

E. A465 Traffic Data

F. Annual Daily Average Cycle Flow Report SUSTRANS

1. INTRODUCTION AND CONTEXT

101 Introduction

Clydach Gorge is located in the south east corner of Brecon Beacons National Park and on the border between Monmouthshire County Council and Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council. Indeed, it was within Blaenau Gwent until Local Government Reorganisation in 1996. It is a remarkable landscape feature which runs from south west to north east between the southern slopes of Llangattock Mountain and the north facing slopes of Llanelly Hill and Gilwern Hill. It was formed by the fast flowing River Clydach cutting through the limestone and also has several deep gullies flowing into it from the south.

Only three and a half miles long but less than half a mile wide the Gorge cuts downwards from 1,100 feet above sea level in the west at Brynmawr to 400 feet to the east of Gilwern where the valley opens out as the River Clydach reaches the Usk a mile below at Glangrwyney. Geologically this ‘cut’ is made through most of the rocks of the South Wales Coalfield : coal measures, millstone grit and limestone of the carboniferous period (about 300 million years ago) down to the Old Red Sandstone of the preceding Devonian period.

The valley has all the natural assets required for early industrial exploitation : iron ore, woodlands to provide timber for charcoal furnaces and fast streams to supply power for simple mechanisation. It is not surprising that the enterprising Hanbury family from Pontypool became involved in iron making in the gorge from the early 17th century (indeed, they still retain leasehold rights on the caravan site).

Subsequently iron making in the Clydach Gorge became an industry as coke was introduced as fuel and steam supplemented waterpower. Coal for coke was available from drift mines tunnelled into the hillside to meet the coal seams. Although charcoal continued to be used at one forge for some years it was the building of coke fired blast furnaces that enabled Clydach to continue to prosper as new iron making centres were created in the main coalfields in South Wales. However, by the time the railways arrived iron making was declining and the change to steel production was never made.

Clydach Ironworks ceased production in 1861 (two years before the opening of the Merthyr, Tredegar and Abergavenny Railway which winds its way up the south side of the Gorge with two sets of tunnels). Various quarries and limekilns continued in production well into the 20th century but the Gorge has subsequently largely ‘returned to nature’ since the railway closed in 1958 : the industrial archaeological features, increasingly covered with vegetation, are reminders of a once vibrant industrial past (in 1841 it is estimated that 1,350 people, including 133 children under the age of 13, were employed in the ironworks).

As John Van Laun wrote in 1979…

‘Clydach Gorge….. provides clear illustration of the way in which economic and social factors produce continuous change in the landscape. It in fact retains surprising beauty despite its history : a lovely beechwood remnant on the south side is now protected as the Cwm Clydach National Nature Reserve (now also a Special Area of Conservation) and high moorlands stretch away on the skyline. But the special character of the Gorge, which makes it well worth getting to know, is in part the result of the labours of men over a few generations : rocky amphitheatres left by quarrying, massive stone arches, upstanding chapels and humble cottage terraces with successive lines of communication, intricately engraved in the rock which forms the valley sides.

Iron making was often the motive behind the work which has left these features. Evidence remains here both of the early production processes, harnessing water power and using timber for fuel, and of later techniques developed with the exploitation of coal during the Industrial Revolution.’

Since the closure of the railway the A465 Heads of the Valley Road was ruthlessly cut through the valley in the 1960’s dividing the village communities and bring dust, noise and fumes.

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Although nature has remarkable powers of survival the communities were severed and the social infrastructure has declined with the loss of schools, shops and pubs.

In the mid 1980’s a programme of excavation, restoration and conservation of Clydach Ironworks was undertaken funded by Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council and Cadw with labour supported by the Manpower Services Commission. Subsequently the owner of the site, Mrs C.S. Chives, generously gave the property to the Borough Council and a picnic site and camping and caravanning site was established close to the A465.

This continued to be used after Local Government Reorganisation in 1996 when the site was transferred to Monmouthshire County Council. The campsite was very popular but the tenancy lapsed due to personal circumstances and it has been disused for several years blighted by the potential dualling of the A465 which was the subject of a major public inquiry in the mid 1990’s.

Sections of the dualling (particularly the section between Abergavenny – Gilwern) have now been completed but Clydach Gorge is in a state of limbo until decisions as to programme (or even whether the Clydach Section will be undertaken at all) are announced.

Despite this Clydach Gorge is home to around 4,000 people in the villages of Clydach South and Llanelly Hill and the linear settlement along the unclassified road (the original main road) through Maesygwartha, Black Rock, Cheltenham and Clydach. There is an extensive footpath network and the Merthyr, Tredegar and Abergavenny Railway has become part of the National Cycle Network (NCR46). The area is well used by school groups and caving is extremely popular.

However, in recognition of the potential dualling of the A465 and following further consolidation of the Clydach Ironworks, coupled with the under-use of the Clydach South campsite and picnic site, Monmouthshire County Council has sought to review the importance of Clydach Gorge in natural and cultural heritage and countryside recreation terms including the potential to establish visitor ‘gateways’. Subject to the findings of the ‘business case’ it is envisaged that the recommendations contained in the report will be used to seek funding and as a basis on which to consider mitigation works should the dualling of the A465 proceed.

102 Study Brief

The study requires the consultant to appraise the current access network, amenity facilities and features of interest on offer to visitors to the Gorge and make recommendations for:

* developing visitor ‘gateway’ facilities at locations at Brynmawr, Clydach South and other suitable sites

* enhancing recreational access from the ‘gateway sites’ to the natural and built heritage features of Clydach Gorge

* promoting the Gorge as a destination for visitors within the context and setting of Brecon Beacons National Park (BBNP), the adjacent Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site (WHS) and the emerging Valleys Regional Park (VRP).

The study should take into account.

* the strategic context

* the impact on, and benefits to, the local communities

* the value, and sensitivity, of the natural and cultural assets in the Gorge

* the long term sustainability of the proposed gateways

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* the potential impact of the proposed dualling of the A465 and how the impact can be mitigated as far as possible

* the potential to strengthen links into BBNP, the WHS, VRP and other attractions

* the access and visitor management strategies of the WHS and BBNP

* the policies contained in the BBNP Management Plan and Unitary Development Plan as any proposals generated from the report may well require planning approval.

103 Study Team

After a competitive process a small specialist team of consultants were appointed to undertake the study:

* Parkin Heritage and Tourism

* Countryside Management Consultant

* Catherine Etchell Associates (Landscape Architects).

104 Study Methodology

The study has involved:

* detailed site appraisal (by foot, cycle and car)

* extensive consultations (see Appendix A)

* background reading and research (see Appendix B)

* client meetings/workshops

* team brainstorming.

105 Study Area

The area of study is essentially Clydach Gorge between Gilwern in the east and Brynmawr to the west. It extends to the edge of Mynydd Llangattwg to the north and the A4548 Brynmawr – Blaenavon road from Brynmawr in the west to The Racecourse Public House and then following a line eastwards across country to Pwll du and around Gilwern Hill down to Gilwern. In the course of the study it became evident that we needed to take into account the A465 corridor from Abergavenny including the communities of Llanfoist and Govilon and the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal corridor. This enabled us to consider the wider visitor management issues of visitors coming from England along the A40 and seeking to visit BBNP, WHS or VRP. This is shown on Plan No 1.1 overleaf.

106 Structure Of The Study

Following this introduction we summarise the strategic context (Section 2) providing the detailed appraisal in Appendix C. We then consider the existing situation in relation to the natural and cultural heritage, access and recreation, interpretation and education, the community and economic perspective and the findings from our consultations in Section 3. We then evaluate the potential gateways assessing their strengths and weaknesses in Section 4. We draw together our findings in Section 5 and establish our vision and objectives together with the business case. We then go on to describe our proposals in relation to Clydach South, access and recreation, interpretation and education, the other gateways and physical

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enhancements. This incorporates a broad cost plan and phased and costed Action Plan. We then draw together our conclusions and recommend the next steps (Section 7).

107 Study Management and Acknowledgements

The study has been managed by a small Steering Group chaired by Principal Landscape and Countryside Officer (Countryside Service), Monmouthshire County Council and Consultant Landscape Architect to Monmouthshire County Council and comprising:

* Head of Countryside Monmouthshire County Council * Head of Visitor Services Brecon Beacons National Park * Eastern Area Manager Brecon Beacons National Park

They have been joined at working sessions by:

* Regeneration Project Officer Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council * Heritage Officer Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council

We thank them all most profusely for the interest, support and enthusiasm they have shown us throughout the study. We have consulted a wide range of organisations and individuals who have an interest in, or involvement with, Clydach Gorge (See Appendix A). Almost everyone is passionate about the area … ‘a hidden gem’ just one of the comments made. We thank them all for the time they have given the project, the knowledge and expertise they have imparted and the enthusiasm they have shown. It has been a really enjoyable study to undertake.

Clydach Gorge is a very special area… a microcosm of the World Heritage Site to the south. It has outstanding natural and cultural heritage, an extensive network of footpaths, the National Cycle Route 46 and offers stunning views. The A465 severs the valley, and its communities, but its visual and noise impact is localised.

The A465 is the primary road into the northern part of the South Wales Valleys which provides a key visitor route to the BBNP, the WHS and Valleys Regional Park. At present there are no services along the road and it is clear that a revitalised Clydach South could provide, in the short term, essential visitor services with toilets, café, picnic site and campsite in association with Clydach Ironworks. By so doing it also provides essential visitor orientation to Valleys Regional Park, BBNP and the WHS. The villages of Llanfoist, Govilon and Gilwern also have the opportunity to service visitors with the introduction of white on brown signage. Our evaluation suggests that a major ‘gateway’ facility could be developed on land to the south of the Brynmawr roundabout although this is blighted until the road alignment of the A465 is determined.

We believe it is entirely appropriate to seek funding in the short term to develop Clydach South, support the other villages and Brynmawr through white on brown signage, enhance the footpath network, provide interpretation (and particularly viewpoint interpretation) along the NCR 46 and to conserve and consolidate the built and cultural heritage after appropriate architectural and archaeological survey.

Clydach Gorge is, without doubt, a key natural and cultural site that has real potential to significantly increase its visitation with an enhanced product coupled with effective promotion and marketing. We commend this Report to you.

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CONTRASTING FACES OF CLYDACH GORGE

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2. STRATEGIC CONTEXT

201 Introduction

In this section we summarise the various national, regional and local strategies which have an influence on Clydach Gorge drawing out the key points of relevance. A detailed appraisal is included as Appendix C.

202 Profile Of Monmouthshire And Clydach

Monmouthshire had a population of 84,975 (2001 Census) and key characteristics of relevance to this study include:

* 48.82% male : 51.18% female

* 38% of total working population (49.24% male) are in full time employment (36.18% Wales) 12.82% part time (11.31% Wales) 10.49% self employed (7.69% Wales)

* 15.61% retired (14.81% Wales) 27.86% long term unemployed (31.26% Wales)

* 35.6% own house outright (34% Wales) 40.2% have mortgages (36.84% Wales) 11.11% Council rented (13.73% Wales)

* 17.48% of households have no car (25.95% Wales)

* 98.87% white (97.88% Wales)

* 19.06% have long term illness (23.27% Wales) 68.64% in good health (67.06% Wales)

* 26.34% have no qualifications (33.02% Wales)

* 17.22% managers (21.67% male : 12.24% all persons Wales) 13.61% professional (14.49% male : 10.43% all persons Wales) 13.32% associated professional/technical (12.19% male : 12.80% all persons Wales) 11.16% administration/secretarial (3.63% male : 12.15% all persons Wales) 12.14% skilled trades (19.28% male : 13.44% all persons Wales) 6.49% personal services (1.6% male : 7.44% all persons Wales) 6.38% sales and customer services (3% male : 7.9% all persons Wales) 7.26% process, plans, machine operators (11.57% male : 10.20%all persons Wales) 12.4% elementary (12.58% male : 13.33% of all persons Wales)

* 26.72% employment is in public administration, education and health (27.93% Wales) 22.11% distribution, hotels and restaurants (21.68% Wales) 15.63% manufacturing (17.34% Wales) 13.80% banking finance and insurance (11.78% Wales)

This indicates that Monmouthshire is relatively more affluent than the rest of Wales with:

* higher levels of full time employment within the working population

* higher level of older retired people

* lower levels of long term unemployed

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* lower levels of long term illness (high percentage of population in good health)

* significantly lower % of households without a car

* significantly lower % of people without any qualifications

* significantly higher level of people in managerial and professional jobs than the rest of Wales.

National research into the participants of countryside recreation, heritage and culture suggests that people across the county are more likely to walk, use the countryside and enjoy the natural and cultural heritage than in other parts of South East Wales.

The majority of Clydach Gorge (including Gilwern) is within Llanelly Hill ward. This had a population of 3,810 in 2001 (49.2% male) broken down as follows:

17.66% under 16 4.75% 16 – 19 7.06% 20 – 29 42.86% 30 – 59 18.81% 60 – 74 8.84% Over 75

Other characteristics include:

* 1,605 households : average size 2.37

* 81% owner occupied households

* 71.1% of economically active in employment (73.3% Monmouthshire)

* 25.2% of people of working age inactive (higher than Monmouthshire for male and female)

* employment by occupation is typical of Monmouthshire as a whole but with a higher % of professional people

* the community has a higher % of people with no qualifications or low level qualification than Monmouthshire as a whole but also a higher % of people with higher level qualifications

* 14.3% of the working age population claim benefits (8.9% incapacity benefit).

The ward at the western edge of Clydach Gorge is Brynmawr which has a population of 5,600:

* 58.2% of the population is of working age

* 63.9% in employment (7.9% unemployed : 9.9% male)

* 30.6% are economically inactive of which 2.9% are retired and 4.8% student

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* employment by occupation is typical across Blaenau Gwent and is slanted towards technical and trades rather than professional and managerial (compared to Llanelly Hill)

* 48.4% have no qualification (36.1% Llanelly Hill) 41.1% lower level qualifications (37.9% Llanelly Hill) 10.5% higher level qualifications (25.9% Llanelly Hill)

* 23.3% of working age population claim benefits (13.7% incapacity benefits) compared to 14.3% Llanelly Hill.

So therefore…..

The Gorge, and the quality of the natural environment and cultural heritage, offer welcome outdoor leisure opportunities that are freely accessible to the diverse socio- economic communities of Monmouthshire and Blaenau Gwent.

203 The Strategic Context

We have reviewed a wide range of strategies and policies including:

* One Wales : A Progressive Agenda for the Government of Wales

* Wales Spatial Plan ‘People Places Futures’

* ‘Achieving our Potential’. A Tourism Strategy for Wales (2006-2013)

* Sustainable Tourism Action Plan

* Cultural Tourism Strategy for Wales

* Activity Strategies (Welsh Tourist Board)

* South East Wales Strategic Tourism Framework (2008)

* Tourism in Monmouthshire

* Fresh Directions : Local Development Strategy and Action Plan (2004 – 2008)

* Brecon Beacons Sustainable Tourism Strategy (2007 – 2016)

* Valleys Regional Park : Vision, Master Plan and Business Plan

* Forgotten Landscapes

* Brecon Beacons National Park Interpretation Strategy (2007-10)

* HERIAN Eastern Area Interpretive Action Plan (2005)

* Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal Interpretation Plan (2004)

* Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site Visitor Experience and Interpretation Plan (2007)

* A465 Heads of the Valleys Landscape Strategy

* Managing Change Together : BBNP Draft Management Plan (2009 2014)

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* Special Area of Conservation Management Plans

* studies of the Historic Landscape

* BBNP Rights of Way Improvement Plan

* Strategic Action Plan for Mountain Biking 2005 – 2007 (Forestry Commission Wales)

* Access Land.

These documents draw out key national principles but also reinforce the importance of Clydach Gorge and its relationship with its surrounding area. In national and sub-regional terms they emphasise:

* the importance of quality sustainable and activity tourism (walking, cycling, riding, angling and adventure activities including climbing and caving) whilst minimising tourism’s environmental impact

* maximising the potential of the natural and cultural heritage (and the concept of ecotourism) whilst maximising the biodiversity value and connectivity importance

* the need, and value of, cross-border working, creative partnerships and strengthening linkages

* the importance of sustainable communities (and the potential for community involvement in tourism)

* enhancing health and well being of communities

* reaching out to underrepresented groups in the countryside and heritage

* the need for quality tourism infrastructure (accommodation, food and drink, customer care, public realm, information services etc).

It is important to recognise:

* Abergavenny is seen as a key settlement, a primary tourism hub and the eastern gateway to Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site, BBNP and Valleys Regional Park

* various documents highlight the need, and importance, of partnership working eg. between the WHS, BBNP, VRP, the local authorities and other agencies

* the importance of activity and green tourism in Monmouthshire

* the National Park will seek to develop a new action plan for heritage and cultural tourism

* there is a need to develop a hierarchy of lay-bys and car parks linked to the Rights of Way Improvement Plan

* the various strategies seek to stimulate greater use of the countryside by local people, and particularly those who do not traditionally do so, thereby encouraging people to live more active and healthy lives and enhancing health and well being

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* the Valleys Regional Park Master Plan also identifies Abergavenny as a key gateway, attractions such as Clydach Gorge as a dispersed gateway and the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal as a primary corridor linking into Clydach Gorge from Gilwern Wharf

* Forgotten Landscapes Partnership Project has HLF funding which will be available for visitor orientation and interpretation, trail publications and access improvements

* the Brecon Beacons National Park Interpretive Plan has established four interpretive themes which are directly relevant to Clydach Gorge

* the HERIAN Eastern Area Interpretive Plan has three strong interpretive themes which are reflected in Clydach Gorge and has identified as key opportunities themed trails (particularly NCR46 and the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal), ‘loops and links’ trails and supporting community heritage initiatives. It went on to prioritise:

(a) Govlion Heritage Project

(b) Clydach Ironworks

(d) Llanelly Community Heritage Trails

all of which are in the process of being implemented

* Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal Interpretation Plan provides a strategic framework for interpretive provision along the 33 mile canal from Brecon to Newport. It has seven strong interpretive themes and identifies a number of key hubs of visitor activity including Gilwern Wharf, Govilon Wharf and Llanfoist. The Llam-march Tramroad linked Gilwern Wharf to Clydach Ironworks and the strategy makes recommendations of direct relevance to this report

* the WHS Visitor Experience and Interpretation Plan also provides a framework for future interpretation this time across the World Heritage Site. It incorporates Clydach Gorge, Gilwern and Govilon. Proposals are based on low key interpretive media supported by personal interpretation using printed material, graphic panels, outdoor ‘story posts’, websites, audio tours, PDA tours, events and activities and a car trail which have direct relevance to Clydach Gorge

* the A465 Heads of the Valleys Landscape Strategy provides an excellent summary of the importance of Clydach Gorge in landscape and ecological terms, the opportunities it offers for access and recreation and its potential role as a gateway to the WHS, Valleys Regional Park and the National Park. It reinforces the value of:

(a) upgrading Clydach Ironworks and picnic area as a stop-off point from the east with information, orientation and interpretation

(b) stimulating sustainable tourism to improve the prosperity of the communities

(d) enhancing NCR46 with interpretation

(e) undertake advance planting to mitigate the landscape and visual impact of the A465 dualling whilst managing existing vegetation to maximise its screening value

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* National Park Draft Management Plan ‘Managing Change Together’ sets out as specific aims to improve public access and recreation provision, improve interpretation, enable and support local communities in defining and celebrating their cultural heritage and enhancing the welcome to the National Park

* the National Park Unitary Development Plan states in relation to recreation:

‘Proposals which enable access to opportunities for enjoyment of the National Park will be permitted where:

(i) the proposal is sustainable in terms of its impact on both the environment and the community within which it is located

(ii) there are no unacceptable impacts on areas which are vulnerable to recreational pressure’

* the Management Plans for the Usk Bats Sites Special Area of Conservation and Cwm Clydach SAC are important in the context of this study because plans or proposals which affect the sites need to be rigorously assessed in the context of the Habitats Directive to ensure they do not compromise the conservation objectives. This will, of course, include the proposed A465 dualling

* there have been various assessments of the features of cultural heritage importance along the Gorge the most significant being the Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust who undertook a Historic Landscape Characterisation of the Gorge in 2004. This identified nine landscape character areas and recommended that an extensive programme of survey work is required as a basis for establishing the conservation requirements of the main cultural heritage sites and features

* the National Park Rights of Way Improvement Plan is recognised as a key document for enhancing the public rights of way network which is the single most important means by which people can enjoy the countryside. It highlights the need for more short themed walks together with better links between public transport and promoted walks and better information on routes and associated facilities such as parking

* the Forestry Commission Wales Mountain Bike Strategy reviews the remarkable growth in the activity since it established three trails at Coed y Brenin in 1995. It is estimated that over 200,000 will use the five key FCW centres this year : major growth is taking place at Cwmcarn and Afan Forest Park (close to the M4 corridor) whilst the sites further west appear to have plateaued. Clydach Gorge is already used for recreational cycling (along NCR46), road cycling and informal off-road cycling. There are opportunities to develop specific waymarked combo-routes utilising the steep off-road topography, NCR46 and the narrow lanes which bring cyclists through settlements and past the pubs. Evidence suggests that facilities that are easily accessible will be well used. Clydach Gorge comes into this category.

204 Conclusion

In this section we have summarised the strategic context for Clydach Gorge. A more detailed analysis is contained in Appendix C. What is clear is that the Gorge is highly regarded and that this study has the opportunity to maximise the potential that exists. We now turn to consider and analyse the existing situation.

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3. ANALYSIS OF CURRENT SITUATION

301 Introduction

In this section we discuss and analyse the current situation in relation to everything which has an influence on access and recreation and the natural and cultural heritage of Clydach Gorge. A key element in this analysis is the land in public ownership and we attach overleaf Plans 3.1 and 3.2 showing the ownership in Clydach South (Monmouthshire County Council) and Brynmawr (Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council).

302 Resources

Clydach Gorge is only three and a half miles long by less than half a mile wide. The River Clydach cuts down from 350 metres above sea level at Brynmawr in the west to 130 metres in the east at Gilwern. After that the valley opens out as the river meets the Usk a mile below at Glangrwyney. Within this small area are natural and cultural resources of great value recognised by national and international designations and telling us many fascinating stories. Despite this it is an area which is not widely known outside the locality. Visitors tend to pass through on the A 465 without stopping, en route to other parts of the National Park, west to the coast or east into England. Indeed, at present there are no obvious places to stop, no public toilets and minimal signage to assist the visitor find their way into the area.

303 The Natural Heritage Resource

The basis of the Gorge’s natural heritage is its geology. The river cuts through most of the rocks of the South Wales Coalfield including coal measures, millstone grit and the limestones of the Carboniferous period down to the Devonian Old Red Sandstone. The existence of quarries, road cuttings and steep dingles allows continuous sequences of rock formation to be seen. For example, Llanelly Quarry shows a rock sequence from the Lower Carboniferous to the Upper Old Red Sandstone while the Llam-march Dingle shows a continuous sequence of the Namurian rocks of the Carboniferous. The roadside Brynmawr Sections has excellent exposures and has been designated as a geological SSSI. This is illustrated on Plan 3.3 overleaf.

Most, but not all, of the natural heritage interest is found within the Cwm Clydach Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This also carries the national designation of National Nature Reserve (NNR) and the European designation of Special Area of Conservation (SAC), also known as Natura 2000 sites. SACs are strictly protected sites designated under the EC Habitats Directive. The listed habitat types and species are those considered to be most in need of conservation at a European level.

The key features of interest in Cwm Clydach are:

* broadleaved semi-natural woodland, mainly beech woodland : a type at the north- western edge of its natural range in Britain and considered to be one of the best areas of natural beech wood in the UK. Some of the beeches are 400 years old with much dead wood standing and fallen. The dense canopy creates a shady environment allowing specialised plants, insects and birds to thrive

* rare trees including large leaved lime Tilia platyphyllos and the whitebeams, Sorbus porrigentiformis and Sorbus angelica which are colonising cliffs, rock outcrops and railway cuttings

* a range of woodland and grassland mosses and fungi including some rarities such as the fungus Russula minitula and the moss Platydictya jungermann ioides. Almost 400 species of fungi have been discovered here including edible species like the hedgehog fungus or wood urchin

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Plan 3.1 Public Land Ownership Clydach South

Plan 3.2 : Public Land Ownership in vicinity of Brynmawr Roundabout

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* some of the UK’s rarest woodland orchids eg. red helleborine (Cephalanthera rubra) and birds nest orchid (Neottia midusavis)

* rare craneflies, beetles and birds such as pied flycatcher and wood warbler.

In addition, the variety of acidic, neutral and calcareous habitats, some of them developed on old spoil heaps, in quarries and along the disused railway and tram routes, give rise to a diverse flora. Uncommon butterflies such as marbled white and dark green fritillary occur together with several bat species.

On the north side of the gorge the limestone outcrops contain cave systems which are internationally important for their bat populations. This area is part of the Usk Bat Sites SAC containing one of the largest maternity roosts for lesser horseshoe bats in the UK as well as a number of important hibernacula in caves in the area. The area contains up to 5% of the UK population though counts in hibernation sites suggest this may be an underestimate. While the security of maternity and hibernation sites are the main concern the integrity of flight lines (eg. along hedges and lines of trees) and of areas used for foraging are also of importance The cave system includes some of the longest caves in the UK. This side of the Gorge also includes areas of limestone grassland with rich botanical and invertebrate diversity.

Ecological variety is an important part of the area’s attraction. From the sheets of liverworts and mosses beneath the waterfalls in the gorge to the heather moors 200 metres above there are a wide range of habitats. Seasonal change also brings fresh delights from the spring-time bluebells in the woods to the swathes of devil’s bit scabious in wetter sites in the autumn. Reclamation of coal tips on some of the higher areas towards Brynmawr has provided opportunities for habitat creation of new areas of heather, species rich grassland and wetlands and these opportunities should not be missed. They will need appropriate grazing management if they are to reach their full potential.

Gnarled Beech : Important resource for birds, fungi and invertebrates

Clydach Quarry revealing the sequence of carboniferous rocks

Whitebeam Marbled White Butterfly

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304 The Cultural Heritage

The Iron Age fort on Craig y Gaer shows that the area has been exploited for over 2000 years but it was the early years of the Industrial Revolution which saw major change with early iron workers drawn here by the availability of water power, timber and mineral resources. The steepness of the terrain was an advantage to the early ironworking and lime-burning industries, where the blast furnaces and lime kilns could be strategically built into the valley sides, facilitating the charging of materials from above and their withdrawal from below.

By 1684 The Llanelly Furnace and Forge on the north bank of the river were producing large quantities of iron and charcoal. The much larger Clydach Ironworks was founded by 1795 to exploit the recent introduction of coke as blast furnace fuel. The site is approached over a cast iron bridge, Smart’s Bridge, dated 1824. The works closed around 1860 and for the next 100 years the main industries in the Gorge were quarrying and lime production.

Communications and transport have been fundamental to the development of the Gorge. In the 1790s railroads and tram roads, both initially horse-drawn, were built to link mines and quarries with works. Tramways and inclines were often laid to serve specific mines and the area now has the densest network of surviving early tram road routes of anywhere in Wales. In 1862 the Merthyr, Tredegar and Abergavenny Railway was built through the Gorge made possible by some impressive tunnels, cuttings and viaducts. The Heads of the Valleys road built in the 1960s is just the latest in a series of transport systems that have traversed the valley as important connecting routes.

The cultural heritage has been described in great detail by the Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust which has divided the Clydach Gorge Historic Landscape into nine character areas. Key features which are still visible today and likely to be of general public interest are illustrated on Plan 3.4 overleaf and include:

* Clydach Ironworks which was established close to sources of iron ore, coal and limestone in 1793. Coal, in the form of coke, had just been introduced as a fuel for blast furnaces replacing charcoal which had been used by the Llanelly Furnace. The Ironworks remained in production for about 65years. In 1841 over 1,350 people were employed two-thirds of whom were winning iron ore and coal higher up the valley. The workforce included 133 children under 13. Limestone was also quarried locally for use as a flux in the smelting process. Raw materials and finished iron were transported to and from the Ironworks by a series of railroads, tramroads and inclines.

* The site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and was partially excavated in the 1980s. It has recently benefited from stabilisation and vegetation clearance. Part of the scheduled area extends into the adjoining industrial site operated by CEMEX which has for many years spoiled the setting of the monument. There is now the potential to remedy that situation. The Ironworks are impressive but greatly spoiled by the huge pylon in front of them. The nearby Smart’s Bridge (1824) is an important example of an early cast iron structure and it still provides the access onto the site. Apparently it replaced an earlier Smart’s Bridge of the same name

* early iron-workers housing eg the 17th century Clydach House and early cottages eg. at Forge Row

* Bailey’s Tramroad. Completed in 1821, and named after the famous iron-master Crawshay Bailey, this ran from Nantyglo Ironworks through Clydach Gorge and down to Govilon Wharf. It later became the route of the Merthyr, Tredegar and Abergavenny Railway to Brynmawr and is now part of National Cycle Route 46

* Llam-march Tramroad. Built in 1795 this ran the two miles from Llam-march Colliery to Clydach Ironworks. It was extended to Gilwern Wharf on the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal in 1803 and from here to the forge at Glangrwyney

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* Clydach Camp, or Twyn-y-Dinas, an Iron Age hilltop settlement or hillfort which like its northerly counterpart at Craig-y-gaer has suffered from quarrying activity, indicated by the remains of limekilns nearby

* Clydach Lime Works established about 1877 to provide lime for the Merthyr, Tredegar and Abergavenny Railway viaduct just below Clydach (or Cuckoo) Quarry. Lime was last burnt here in 1955. The lime kilns with double draw arches for each shaft are particularly fine surviving examples. They require conservation work and interpretation. The viaduct at this site is superb, being built on a graceful curve and supported by eight semi-circular arches, each with a 30 ft span

* Llanelly Furnace and Forge. Dating from about 1680 this was a small charcoal fired furnace

* Gellifelen Tunnels. Although the route through the Gorge mainly followed the earlier Bailey's Tramroad some of the bends were too tight necessitating the construction of tunnels at Clydach and Gellifelen. Originally single tunnels were dug. Parallel tunnels were dug in 1877 when the line was doubled. The northerly tunnels were the first to be built followed by the southerly tunnels. While the Clydach tunnel is on private ground and not accessible one of the Gellifelen tunnels is open to and, although very wet, can be explored with care (indeed we understand it is visited by local school groups)

* Black Rock Limeworks. This is on the west side of the valley and was the first lime works in the area with production starting in 1795. The kilns, owned by the Duke of Beaufort, are in need of conservation. An incline runs up from the kilns to a quarry and, although not a public right of way, is a very striking feature when viewed from the other side of the valley

* Devil’s Bridge. A grade 2 listed building this is in one of the most attractive parts of the gorge. It is so named because if you look downstream you may be able to see the Devil’s profile in the rock formation!

* Hafod Arch is a Scheduled Ancient Monument which carries the Clydach Railroad across the Nant Melyn close to the upper end of the Gorge. It is hard to view at present due to tree growth but Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council have plans to conserve and interpret the feature

* Gilwern Aqueduct and Wharf. An Act of Parliament in 1793 enabled the construction of the Brecknock and Abergavenny Canal, together with a connecting tramway system, the first line of which ran through the gorge. The canal between Gilwern and Brecon opened in 1801. The canal traverses the floor of the Gorge near Gilwern on a huge earthen embankment, 25m high, with the river running in a tunnel at its base. The Llam-march Tramroad also tunnels under the canal at this point built to allow the transport of coal on to the forge at Glangrwyney. The Wharf extended from the current moorings beyond the next bridge to the west to a bank of lime kilns. Opposite these kilns is a small car park owned by Monmouthshire County Council currently closed to allow canal repairs to be completed (due to reopen in 2009).

This represents a remarkable range of cultural sites that tell the story of man’s endeavour over 300 years. They deserve to be conserved, interpreted and visited.

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305 Social History

There is some evidence that Shakespeare may have visited Clydach Gorge and found inspiration here for Midsummer Night’s Dream supposedly penned as he sat in what is now known as Shakespeare's Cave, in a dingle just above Cwm Pwca. Cwm Pwca was where waters from the River Clydach mingled with waters from another stream, a place that filled people with dread, because of the malicious powers of some evil spirits believed to be residing there. Cwm Pwca lies below Devil's Bridge. In the sixteenth century the area would have been very wooded and untouched by industry.

Industrialisation caused a rapid influx of population as indicated by the five chapels built in the valley between 1829 and 1836. Even six year olds were employed in Clydach Ironworks in 1841. Life for many was harsh and uncertain as shown by the graveyard at Llanelly Church above the Gorge. However, the scenic appeal of the Gorge was well known in the latter part of the nineteenth century with parties being transported from local railway stations to have picnics and walks near the river.

The importance of several local families in the development of the area provides interesting background. For example, the Clydach Ironworks Company was established by the Frere family of Gilwern and Sir Bartle Frere was one of the most colourful characters in the British Empire. He was born in Clydach House in 1815 and served in India (where he was involved in the suppression of the Indian Mutiny) and in South Africa where he was influential in ending slavery in East Africa although, as High Commissioner, he was subsequently disgraced for his part in starting the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. He is buried in St Paul’s Cathedral.

The strong links between Brynmawr and Clydach are also of interest. In 1800 the village that was once known as Waun-y-Helegyn was little more than a collection of farm cottages yet by the early 1830s this small village had exploded into a thriving industrial community due to the nearby ironworks at Nantyglo, Clydach and Beaufort. As Hilda Jennings wrote in 1934:

‘A newcomer to Brynmawr in 1820 might have found work locally in the iron-ore gathering grounds or have walked daily to one of the Iron Works. For his chapel, for his shopping at the Company Shop and even for his children’s school, if they were privileged to attend one, he would have been forced to go to Nantyglo. There he would have learnt history and gossip about local personalities and have taken part in the building up of the workers’ organisations and in the religious meetings and services of the Independents or Baptists.’

As Brynmawr grew shops, pubs, schools and chapels were built and the need to travel to Nantyglo declined. ‘Into the little community came a constant flow of newcomers from Wales and England, each the subject of speculation, and each adding some new ingredient to the common life. Difficulties in providing houses and house-furnishings added hardships owing to the severity of the climate and the poorness of roads would be common to all. All too, would have a tale of past history and their reasons for and difficulties in migrating to this isolated spot which would provide the material of romance and adventure to be imagined and talked over in the home and public-house. Gradually the cleavage between English and Welsh was overcome as the English language gained ground and the habit of living together as pioneers in a strange place affected the customs of immigrants whatever their place of origin.’

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The cultural heritage of the Gorge needs to be seen in the context of the wider area. The tram and rail routes connected with others in the Monmouthshire Valleys and, of course, with the canal system. The Gorge is on the edge of the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site and was thus part of a much larger area of world importance in terms of industrial archaeology. Monmouthshire became one of the most important iron producing centres in the world. The Gorge played a significant part in that story.

306 Access And Recreation

Clydach Gorge provides extensive opportunities for recreation with a vast network of routes both above, and below, ground. Although currently used and enjoyed by many outdoor enthusiasts it is not widely known outside specialist user groups. It has potential for increased use and improved visitor facilities and information particularly following the recent surfacing of the National Cycle Route which has attracted new user groups to access the Gorge.

Although local pubs are happy for visitors who seek permission to use their car parks the car park at Clydach South is the main one available for visitors to the Gorge. A car park underneath Llangattock escarpment on the north side of the Gorge is ideally located for climbers and cavers. Apart from the pubs there are no toilet or café facilities for visitors and the campsites at Gilwern and Clydach South are closed.

Lanes either side of the A465 are narrow and very steep in places reaching gradients of 1 in 4. As a result, roads are not busy and they provide relatively quiet routes for walking and cycling. Although the National Cycle Route has an easy gradient (around 1:40) the links onto it are generally quite steep. The old tramroad links have uniform gradients which can be quite tiring going up or down for a long distance. Although strenuous routes attract many visitors to the Gorge there are, by contrast, few uniformly easy circular routes for less energetic user groups.

There is occasional evidence of illegal access onto footpaths by cars, or scramble bikes, although currently this is not presenting a widespread problem. Some of the access barriers along the NCR have been vandalised and there are scramble bike tracks through Gellifelen tunnel. Vehicles access the footpath from Clydach South along the river and there are problems here with dumping.

National Cycle Route 46

The National Cycle Route 46 will connect Droitwich Spa to Newport and Neath and is still under development. In Clydach Gorge NCR46, opened in 2006, provides a key recreation route running the entire length of the Gorge along the line of the former Merthyr, Tredegar and Abergavenny Railway. The route from Brynmawr, at the top of the Gorge, is varied and winding providing a gentle gradient through dramatic terrain with stunning views. It offers the opportunity for easy access for families and the less mobile through a spectacular landscape rich in both cultural and natural interest. It was officially opened in November 2008. It does, however, involve crossing a busy road junction which needs to be addressed, ideally in the short term, although certainly when the future dualling is designed. An alternative link may be available via Benward Field.

It is now being used by both walkers and cyclists and on some sections by horse riders. Being of a gentle gradient of around 1:40, and predominantly surfaced with tarmac, it presents a less physically challenging route than most in the Gorge. The route descends from Brynmawr and is often cycled in this easier direction by family groups being collected by car in Llanfoist and Llangattock.

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NCR 46 also provides a good link from the Brynmawr end into the World Heritage Site and from Gilwern into the Usk Valley and the canal corridor. There is scope for improved signage linking the NCR to other walking and cycling routes in the area. The National Park Authority and Monmouthshire County Council have recognised this need but are awaiting the outcome of this report.

There is a very active community in the Ebbw Fach that have formed a collective group in order to link community greenspaces via a cycle network. There are opportunities to link this into the top end of Clydach Gorge.

Walking

Most of the extensive network of Public Rights of Way in the Gorge is open and useable though some minor routes are unused or become overgrown in summer. There are still some minor Definitive Map amendments to resolve but generally the status of the routes is known. Public rights of way are signposted where they leave the surfaced highway and the more popular are well waymarked. Some long-standing permissive paths are also marked on the Ordnance Survey map and are signposted and waymarked e.g. the route along the Llam- march Tramroad from Gilwern Wharf to Forge Row.

Walkers in this area have benefited from published self-guided trails for many years and these are described in Section 307.

Regular walking groups start at Clydach South in spite of its location at the lower end of the Gorge and having steep routes out of it eg. a U3A group of 16 aged between 62 – 76 were seen undertaking a 10 mile walk to Coety Mountain and back (see route used on Plan 3:5 overleaf). This route includes a section of the Iron Mountain Trail from Pwll Du (along the Dyne-Steel Incline) towards Garn yr Erw.

Because of the difficult steep, vegetated banks to the Afon Clydach there is no path the entire length of the river ie. from Clydach South to Devil’s Bridge. This is a very attractive part of the Gorge with waterfalls drowning out the sound of the road for most of the route but the banks are steep and slippery and very dangerous in places. A case could be made for opening up this area with a carefully engineered path which would allow walkers to see parts of the National Nature Reserve that, at present, only the adventurous can get to.

The existing riverside footpath stops View east from Devil’s Bridge short of the steepening rocks east of Devil’s Bridge. A new footpath along this section would allow a spectacular part of the Gorge to be accessed

The network of routes within the Gorge is vast and many sections are of high quality offering a variety of experiences from breathtaking views to leafy woodlands, steep waterfalls to historic monuments. However, several sections are inevitably blighted by various detractors including:

* excessive road noise

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PLAN 3:5 : ROUTE OF U3A WALK BETWEEN CLYDACH GORGE AND BLAENAVON WORLD HERITAGE SITE

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* lack of safe footways alongside the highway

* fumes (traffic exhaust and ammonia in the river from the sewage works)

* poor rear garden boundaries

* tipped rubbish

* derelict cars

* aggressive dogs

* steep gradients

* incomplete links.

There is great scope for addressing these issues and improving the quality of the routes. However, it is considered that where this is impossible, they will always remain only of local interest. Other routes of specialist (eg. archaeological) interest will always attract enthusiasts who are perhaps less concerned with environmental problems.

The challenge for this Study is to ensure that routes are promoted which are of sufficient quality to appeal to visitors from beyond the immediate locality. These routes should reflect the best the Gorge has to offer. This can be achieved by a combination of actions including resolving problem areas, avoiding detractors which cannot be eliminated and creating new links to allow circular loops.

Road Cycling

The steep and long hill connecting Clydach South to Llanelly Hill has some notoriety amongst road cyclists who visit from miles around. Road cycling is also popular on the Hafod Road on the north side of the valley where the former tram road provides a long level route around to the Llangattock hillside. This is particularly popular with retired people. Cycling along Hafod Road Mountain Biking

Mountain biking is popular locally and a variety of minor road and off-road combinations can be used to travel from the lower reaches of the Gorge up to the top of Gilwern Hill and beyond. There are good mountain bike links from Clydach Old Station up through Gilwern Quarry, Gilwern Hill and from the Blorenge via Pwll Du and the Tyla into the Gorge. Not all of these routes are Public Rights of Way, or bridleways, but are signed and in common usage.

Mountain Bike Trail

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Horse Riding

Horse riding provision is poor as there are no public bridleways in the Gorge. The lanes on the edge of the area above Govilon are regularly used to link to the Blorenge. The commons on both sides of the Gorge are used to a limited extent for riding with horse riders frequenting the Jolly Colliers on Llanelly Hill on Sundays.

Torfaen’s Loops and Links Action Plan includes a proposed new bridleway along the Cefn Garnyrerw ridge on the southern edge of the Study Area. This would greatly improve access for horse riders and cyclists and in the long term could link with the Brynmawr/Blaenavon route.

Climbing and Caving

The quarried limestone escarpment of Llangattock extends for 3 miles at 400m above sea level on the south side of the Usk Valley overlooking Crickhowell. The area provides a venue of national interest for experienced cavers and climbers.

Climbing on the Llangattock escarpment is mainly in the limestone quarries : routes are described in the Gower and South East Wales Climbing Guide. There have been some access problems in the past but issues have now been resolved with a booking system for groups and a permit required for climbing in Craig-y-Cilau National Nature Reserve.

Experienced cavers and cave divers visit Llangattock from all over Europe. Access is managed by the Mynydd Llangatwg Cave Management and Advisory Committee and keys are held by Brynmawr Caving Club. Agen Allwedd and Darren y Cilau provide some of the longest and most spectacular caves in Britain. The water from these caves drains south-west towards Clydach Gorge and by cave diving it is possible to trace the route and to emerge in the Gorge. On the southern edge of the Gorge a recently discovered extension to Ogof Draenen, near Pwll Du, has the potential to make this the longest cave system in Britain. 74 kilometres of passage have already been explored.

Ogof Clogwyn, within Clydach Gorge itself, is popular with Outdoor Education Centres as a cave suited to novices. Several caving clubs use other caves in the Gorge including Ogof Nant Rhin, Pylon Cave (an important bat roost), Shakespeare’s Cave, Ogof Capel and Ogof Gelynen. Several of the cave entrances are at river level in the most inaccessible parts of the Gorge.

Gorge Walking

The Afon Clydach is on occasions used by Outdoor Education Centres for gorge walking although the water quality is variable and the ecological balance is quite delicate.

Gellifelen Tunnels

Access is open to one of the Gellifelen tunnels and is used by local children, Brynmawr Comprehensive School and Outdoor Education Centre groups with head torches use it as a more adventurous alternative route along the NCR. Although only a short section the tunnel is curved and, therefore, in complete darkness for most of its length. The surface is uneven and wet in places.

Access Links

There are clear gaps and links in provision which need to be considered:

* Clydach South to NCR46 (and up onto Gilwern Hill and over into Blaenavon)

* Clydach South to Devil’s Bridge

* Drum & Monkey to Devil’s Bridge

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* Blaenavon to Brynmawr extending the NCR46 Pontypool – Blaenavon route from Garn Lakes to The Racecourse pub and then along the former railway route

* crossing points over the A465 in addition to the existing ones

* a circular cycle route linking the Hafod Road and NCR46 via Brynmawr and Gilwern.

307 Interpretation And Education

Whilst there are a range of printed and web sources and a limited range of guided walks, talks and events there is very little on site interpretation. This is particularly surprising considering the range of Interpretive Plans that have been prepared recently covering the area including:

* Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal

* Brecon Beacons National Park

* HERIAN Industrial Heritage (Eastern Area)

* Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site.

Having said that, Forgotten Landscapes has specifically targeted interpretation as a key theme and this ‘gap’ will, to some extent, be addressed.

On-site Interpretation

Blaenau Gwent provided an interpretive panel at Clydach Ironworks just across Smart’s Bridge around 1989 which has attractive illustrations but is faded and worn and has not been replaced. A more recent panel is located immediately in front of the Ironworks and others are planned as part of the consolidation works.

CCW has provided an introductory panel for Cwm Clydach NNR that has been erected at each entrance to the area (9no). It would have been more appropriate to develop some of the key stories about the reserve eg. the beech, whitebeam and fungi at different entrances and to have provided ‘you are here’ and a map which is orientated north : south.

Apart from that there is no on site interpretation along NCR46 with its rich history, ecology and wonderful views (although SUSTRANS are keen to do so when funds allow), at any of the industrial archaeological features eg. Llanelly Quarry, along the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal or in the communities. There is no staffed information facility in Clydach Gorge and no village or public information points although all the pubs have historic photographs, posters and artefacts on the wall (and would be very interested in becoming visitor information points).

The exceptions are:

* the World Heritage Site visitor orientation and interpretation panels located in Govilon Village, Govilon Wharf, Llanfoist Crossing, the car park to the west of Govilon and at Keeper’s Pond above Gilwern Hill

* the interpretive panels developed by the Govilon Heritage Group around the village.

Internal Interpretation

The major focus of interpretation for the wider WHS area is the St Peter’s World Heritage Centre in Blaenavon although its multimedia interpretive exhibition primarily focuses on the story of the World Heritage Site. Big Pit National Mining Museum is site focused on the pit and its stories and Blaenavon Ironworks has interpretation developed by Cadw. Although all

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are relevant, and linked to Clydach Gorge, there is currently no referral. This needs to be ‘picked up’ as part of the Forgotten Landscapes project.

Nor should we forget the impressive displays in Brynmawr Museum which have been developed and managed by the Local History Society with help and assistance from the Blaenau Gwent Heritage Officer.

There are proposals to develop interpretation in Llanfoist Village Hall and British Waterways are keen to do more along the canal at Gilwern and Govilon as part of the canal corridor enhancement.

Published and On-Line Resources

There is no general guide to the cultural and natural resources of Clydach Gorge. A website search delivers a mix of walking, community and archaeological sites but nothing comprehensive. Both the Monmouthshire County Council and the BBNP sites have brief information about Clydach Ironworks but very little else about the wider area. The Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust has described the industrial landscape in great detail in its historic landscape character study on the Gorge which is available on-line.

There is a range of leaflets and publications which provide some descriptive (or interpretive) material including:

* Cwm Clydach National Nature Reserve leaflet (CCW) Provides simple bilingual introduction to the geology and natural history of the Reserve

* Clydach Gorge Heritage Trails leaflet Llanelly Community Council Four walks which extend the length of the Gorge from Brynmawr roundabout to Gilwern and across from Waunllapria in the south to Llanelli Church in the north. They allow exploration of most of the natural and cultural heritage described above but are long and include some sections of road walking with little interest.

(a) Walk1 is 15 km and circles the area via the Hafod Road, Llanelly Church, Gilwern and the National Cycle Route

(b) Walk 2 is 5 km and includes part of the canal, Maesygwartha and Llanelly Church

(d) Walk 4 is 7 km and is a circular walk between Gilwern and Clydach Ironworks with an optional extension to Devil’s Bridge and Gellifelen.

Despite their length the leaflet is useful and may require reprint and more extensive distribution.

* The Clydach Gorge Archaeological Trails Published by Blorenge Books (2008). Superbly researched and written by John van Laun with outstanding line drawings by Michael Blackmore which bring the history of the Clydach Gorge landscape to life including three walking trails

* Portraits of the Past (2001) Barber and Blackmore One of the best sources on ironmaking and tramways in Clydach Gorge. Out of print

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* Walks in Cordell Country (1996) Chris Barber

* Four Cordell County Tour leaflets Published by Torfaen County Borough Council One starts at Goytre Wharf and includes a visit to Clydach Ironworks

* Popular Walks in Llanfoist Fawr Community 62 page A5 spiral bound colour booklet describing 6 scenic and heritage walks between 4.3km and 10.5km in length. All start from villages to the south and west of Abergavenny £4.95 Monmouthshire County Council

* Usk Valley Walk Official guide of the route which includes lengths of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal

* The Brecon and Abergavenny section of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal Spiral bound guide book. 72 pages John Norris

* Iron Mountain Trail Published by Torfaen County Borough Council Figure of eight route from Keeper’s Pond telling the story of coal, iron and limestone Part of Blanaevon Walks Pack

* In the footsteps of the Iron Masters Published by Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council Seven trails explaining the heritage of Blaenau Gwent (packaged in plastic folder) Crawshay Bailey Trail includes the Hafod Arch

The attraction of the area is the unique blend of industrial archaeology and landscape history with the natural heritage. A guide, both published and on-line which covers both aspects is needed. In addition, there is no dedicated website which would be really valuable.

Guided Walks, Talks And Events

Both the National Park Authority and the Brecon Beacons Park Society run extensive guided walks and events programmes. The NPA tends to concentrate on shorter themed walks with the Park Society providing longer walks for keen hill walkers. While the NPA programme has several walks centred on Govilon, the Blorenge and other parts of the World Heritage Site there are no guided walks provided within the Gorge. Further, it is understood that for budgetary reasons the programme will be significantly curtailed in 2009.

Other organisations on the fringe of the area also provide walks and talks. For example, Govilon Heritage runs guided walks in the summer based on its published Heritage Trails and have a programme of local history talks in the winter. The Crickhowell Walking Festival has a large programme of short and long walks for a week each year. Pontypool Ramblers organise walks throughout the year including many in BBNP and the WHS. Clydach Gorge does not currently appear to feature in any of these programmes. However, the North Gwent Ramblers based in Brynmawr does include one walk in its programme which uses the NCR as part of its route whilst Chepstow U3A also visits the Gorge with a 10 mile circular walk from Clydach South to Coety Mountain and back.

The World Heritage Site Warden has developed a guided walks programme and this is likely to increase in the future with the recruitment of further volunteer wardens who will undertake conservation management, visitor management and interpretation. There is real potential to build on this and establish a Clydach Gorge Walks and Events Programme which could be developed and run by local people (there could also be opportunities for training).

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Environmental Education

Despite the loss of the two primary schools at Llanelly Hill and Cheltenham in recent years we know schools use Clydach Gorge for local studies and outdoor education. However, this is on a self-help basis and there are, currently, no educational resources available to assist teachers in teaching, learning and on site experiential learning.

There are various Environmental Education Centres in the area including Mulberry House in Abergavenny, Hilson Park, Talybont and Gilwern (the three Gwent Outdoor Education Centres) and the Robert Jeffrey’s Centre in Govilon. Schools from outside the area use these centres for 1 / 2 night and 3 / 4 night field study courses and use the Gorge for outward bounds, caving, science and geography.

Mulberry House is an independent 14 – 19 year old Education Trust which has recently partnered with the YHA to maximise its use throughout the year. They particularly specialise in geography, science and foundation studies providing fieldwork modules. They have linked with iEARN UK to develop new programmes and, with funding from the Aggregates Levy, are developing an educational programme focused on quarrying in Clydach Gorge. They have created an on-line interactive guide for the Gorge www.clydachgorgeguide.org. There seems to be a real opportunity to work with Mulberry House to develop this further.

At present the interpretation and education provision within the Gorge is in its infancy but the potential is enormous and there are clear guidelines through the various Interpretive Plans as to how this might be taken forward. All the key agencies recognise the current situation and want to introduce innovative interpretation at the earliest opportunity. This could initially be through Forgotten Landscapes but it is important to explore other opportunities.

308 Community And Economic Perspective

Until the 1960’s Clydach Gorge included a series of settlements all of which were in Llanelly Parish. These communities including Llanelly Hill to the south, Black Rock and Cheltenham to the north and Clydach all evolved to service the iron and associated industries. Brynmawr had strong social and cultural connections historically not only because iron and lime were taken down the Gorge to Gilwern but also because of the baptisms, marriages and burials that took place in Llanelly Church.

The Heads of the Valleys Road constructed in the 1960’s cut through the valley physically, psychologically and socially dividing the communities despite a couple of fairly unattractive underpasses which link the two sides together. As a result the social and community fabric has slowly declined exacerbated recently by the closure of schools in Llanelly Hill and Cheltenham which have relocated to Gilwern. The opening of supermarkets in Abergavenny and Brynmawr has also led to the closure of the post office/general store and butcher in Cheltenham. Attempts were made to open a shop in Waunllapria but that, too, has closed.

In addition, the camping and caravan sites in Gilwern and Clydach Gorge have closed for a combination of circumstances which is a real gap in visitor provision. The reopening of the Clydach South site would be warmly welcomed by BBNP, WHS and the local pubs. We illustrate the existing community infrastructure on Plan 3.6 overleaf.

At present the community fabric is maintained by two community halls and some 10 pubs. The halls are in Clydach South and Llanelly Hill but neither is thriving although efforts are being made to revive them both. There are sports pitches in both communities and the football club in Clydach is said to be successful.

At present there are few accredited accommodation providers in the area (although there are providers in the area who are not accredited). The accredited providers are advertised in the area tourism brochure and can be promoted in the Tourist Information Centres. A good

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website is Abergavenny and District Touirsm Association www.visitabergavenny.com which includes:

Serviced accommodation

Glangrwyney Court 8 ensuite bedrooms

The Wenallt Gilwern 6 ensuite bedrooms

The Old Rectory Llangattock Lingoed 3 ensuite bedrooms

Self-catering

Glangrwyney Court Cottages 2 units : sleep 4

The Old Rectory Barn, Maesygwartha 2 units : sleep 4 (plus bed and breakfast)

Caravan and camping

Pysgodlyn Farm Camping and Caravan Site 1 static : Go touring/tents

The pubs, too, paint a depressing picture although all are enthusiastic to become involved in some way in this initiative. There are currently ten pubs in the immediate vicinity including:

* The Bridgend Brynmawr (close to the roundabout)

* Drum & Monkey Blackrock

* Rock & Fountain Clydach North (three * bed and breakfast)

* The Jolly Collier Llanelly Hill

* The Cambrian Clydach South (been in the same ownership for 40 years)

* Lamb & Fox near Pwll Du (and bunkhouse)

* The Lion Gilwern

* The Navigation Gilwern

* The Bridgend Inn Gilwern

* The Corn Exchange Gilwern.

All experience falling custom and are operating reduced opening hours. Supermarkets, Sky television, the smoking ban, home drinking, the price pubs have to purchase drinks at as ‘tied houses’ and more recently the economic downturn have all had an impact. Food and/or accommodation are saving some from closure but, strangely, they tend to be supported from people travelling from the surrounding area (including Brynmawr and Pontypool) rather than the immediate villages. Business tends to do better in the winter rather than the summer. Two have changed hands in the last 12 months (The Jolly Colliers and Bridgend), the Drum & Monkey and The Lion face a real threat of closure because of the A465 dualling whilst several others are technically up for sale and one, The Navigation, is closed. Having said that it is understood that both the Drum & Monkey and The Lion have been offered a 12 year lease which suggests the road widening has been pushed back to c. 2020. The Rock & Fountain has recently suffered a fire.

The Bridgend (Brynmawr) and The Cambrian (Clydach South) benefit from NCR46 and the Jolly Collier in Waunlapria gets ramblers every Sunday lunchtime (this is a busy local pub). The hill is too steep to attract visitors off the NCR46 but they do attract road cyclists (and are

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planning to introduce cycle racks) and also horse riders from Abertillery. Cavers tend to use the Rock & Fountain (two meetings a year) but stay at the Lamb & Fox bunkhouse or just put up a tent by their grassy car park. All the pubs display tourism leaflets and would be happy to be a visitor information point.

What is clear is the pubs are now the primary focus of community activity (with the exception of the churches, chapels and community/village halls) and can play an important role in supporting local people and visitors whether walkers, cyclists or riders. The concept of the ‘pub’s the hub’ whereby pubs also include a shop/post office, accommodation and information point should be promoted to ensure greater sustainability.

The one community that has real potential to be seen as a visitor ‘hub’ is Gilwern. Located at the eastern end of the Gorge, bypassed by the A465 but with easy access, it has three pubs (one currently closed), petrol filling station with Spar shop (on the road to Crickhowell), a post office/general store, butcher, hair salon, fish and chips, pharmacy, school, village hall and library. It also has the canal, Gilwern Wharf with canal boat hire and a footpath leading to Clydach Gorge under the embankment and along the Llam-march Tramroad. The village has direct links with the Clydach communities through its education and community facilities. It is easily accessible from the A465 although the access for walkers, cyclists and horse riders is less easy being on the north side of the road.

The recent dualling of the A465 from Abergavenny to Gilwern led to the closure of the petrol filling station and campsite on the north side of the road close to the new Gilwern intersection. Welsh Assembly Government also compulsory purchased the garage adjacent to the Brynmawr roundabout and there are, currently, no visitor services along the entire length of the A465 from Raglan to Neath without coming off to use garages attached to supermarkets (although there are no signs to help visitors realise their presence). Nor do we believe there are any proposals to provide visitor services including petrol filling stations, refreshments, toilets, picnic areas, viewpoints etc along the road. By contrast, the busy A55 Chester – Holyhead road has a range of visitor facilities at regular points along its length on both sides of the road. We believe this is a serious lack of provision which needs to be addressed.

309 Landscape Assessment

The greatest attractor of visitors to South East Wales (and indeed to the whole of Wales) is its landscape and scenery and Clydach Gorge is plentiful in both. Not only that, but the National Cycle Route provides the opportunity for people to travel the entire length of the Gorge, and to appreciate the dramatic views and sheer slopes from a relatively level and easy walk or cycle. The drama of this kind of scenery can normally only be explored from more treacherous terrain.

The Study Area lies largely within Brecon Beacons National Park between the open uplands of the Brecon Beacons and the industrial landscape of the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site. Clydach Gorge is a Forgotten Landscapes Partnership Landscape Character Area and is well described in the accompanying Landscape Character Study, the Heads of the Valleys Landscape Strategy and LANDMAP which have been summarised previously. It is important historically and culturally containing a dense concentration of industrial and settlement sites and interlinking communication and transport systems. Indeed, the Forgotten Landscapes Landscape Character Study states ‘if people are going to be ‘turned on’ to industrial heritage in South Wales it will be in Clydach Gorge.’

It is included in the Register of Landscapes of Special Historic Interest in Wales. Specific sites are described in detail in the Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust’s Historic Landscape Characterisation.

Clydach Gorge is located at the north-eastern corner of the Valleys Regional Park and the natural topography here provides a key visual gateway into the Park when travelling along the A465 from the Midlands. The narrowing visual envelope and change in gradient of the

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road intensifies this ‘gateway’ effect from both the east and west directions. Many landmarks are visible from the road including the old railway and the limeworks arches to the south and Hafod Arch to the north (currently overgrown but Blaenau Gwent have plans to clear vegetation and conserve the monument). Although the Gorge is visible from the A465 its narrow and enclosed character suggest it is of modest scale. Its true scale is only evident from higher up in the Gorge itself. From the NCR the drama of the landscape becomes more apparent, and from Gilwern Hill, the slopes gain so steeply that one can look down onto the tops of pylons and the A465 becomes an insignificant part of the landscape.

The line of pylons and overhead power lines represents a principle detractor from the landscape. At the highest reaches of the Gorge, where the landscape changes to a more open and exposed upland plateau, the pylons are evident along the valley. However, they make most impact when viewed at close proximity as in the lower reaches of the Gorge. In particular, the pylon adjacent to Clydach Ironworks detracts significantly from the setting of the Scheduled Ancient Monument.

The A465 lies at the bottom of the valley winding up Clydach Gorge to Brynmawr at the head of the valley. The roundabout at Brynmawr presents an ideal northern approach to Blaenavon World Heritage Site along the B4248 and, itself, is ideally located to provide service facilities for visitors stopping on the A465. Views from the highest point of the Gorge are potentially dramatic and there is immediate access onto National Cycle Route 46 which traverses the Gorge and the potential rail link from Brynmawr which cuts across the top to Blaenavon. The upper slopes of the Gorge provide one of the most attractive faces of industrialisation where relic features of industrial engineering, stately beech woodland and breathtaking views combine to provide a spectacular, diverse yet accessible landscape.

At the lower end of the Gorge Clydach South is easily accessed off the A465 and has traditionally been a stopping off place for visitors travelling along the Heads of the Valley Road. The picnic site, car park and campsite (currently closed) have been well known and popular in the past.

Easily accessed from Clydach South are the lower slopes of the Gorge. Direct access involves walking along the roads through a housing estate. However, once reached, these are densely wooded, dark and peaceful, and road noise from the A465 tends to be drowned out by the fast flowing river. These lower reaches are more natural in character than higher up the valley sides. Direct access for walkers and cyclists from Clydach South up to the level of the National Cycle Route involves steep gradients although these can be partially overcome by taking more circuitous routes. A solution to the difficulty of creating circular routes within certain gradient limits would be to consider links between different modes of transport. This may be particularly valuable with increasing use of the National Cycle Route.

Small, dispersed settlements on each side of the Gorge are accessed by a network of rural lanes which is used mainly by local traffic. Visitor traffic should not be encouraged along these narrow roads since they are too narrow and steep to easily accommodate passing vehicles. As a result, however, they are relatively quiet and, therefore, quite pleasant for walking or cycling if a little steep in places.

The Gorge has a long history as a transport corridor and the widening of the A465 could be seen as a continuation of this heritage. However, the sensitivity of the landscape will inevitably be vulnerable to increased traffic as well as the land-take and siting of new structures. Consideration will need to be given to researching and resolving impacts through an Environmental Impact Assessment. The success of the widening will partly depend upon its sympathetic integration into the landscape through use of innovative structures and high quality design, rather than a standard engineering solution. Although screen planting would be desirable in certain locations views of landmarks should still be retained.

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310 Potential Impact Of The A465 : Mitigation Essential

The White Young Green landscape strategy relating to the potential dualling of the A465 showed indicative access routes into Clydach South which would have a major impact on the campsite. It suggests advance planting and vegetation management to mitigate the impact of the road coupled with relocating the visitor facilities to an area in the vicinity of Clydach Ironworks with enhanced car parking, information, orientation and interpretation.

At this point in time, however, there is:

* uncertainty as to the alignment of the road and the resultant land take

* inevitable blighting along the corridor until firm proposals have been agreed and then blighting of specific properties

* potential severing of the access routes between north and south of the A465

* inevitable increases in visibility, noise and fumes

* the continuing requirement for laybys and visitor facilities.

It will be essential to seek mitigation against the impact of the road widening including:

* minimising the impact on the natural/cultural features by planting, screening etc

* undergrounding of the powerlines and removal of the pylons

* footpath improvements

* retaining and improving the visual and physical links across the A465 including pedestrian and cycle routes with less steep gradients, wider tunnels, better lighting and appropriate wall and surface treatments

* developing a riverside footpath to Devil’s Bridge through the SAC and enhancing the structure at Devil’s Bridge

* creating geological exposures for education and research

* adopting high quality engineering design for bridges, viaducts and slip roads etc

* introducing artwork, interpretation and lighting

* developing layby/overlooks at one or two locations with interpretation and orientation.

Whilst the pylons carrying the National Grid down the Gorge could be argued to be as much a part of the regional infrastructure as the A465 they are, however, a major intrusion, particularly in front of Clydach Ironworks, a Scheduled Ancient Monument. We understand Western Power have funding for undergrounding in sensitive areas such as National Parks. Clydach Gorge is in Brecon Beacons National Park, it is a Landscape of Special Historic Interest and could, in the future, become part of the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site. For these reasons, as well as the impact on the SAM, we believe the undergrounding of the power line should be incorporated in the potential dualling proposals.

It is important to open discussions with the Welsh Assembly Government New Roads Unit at the earliest possible time in order to influence the design, alignment and land take and to ensure that the proposals emanating from this report are taken into account (even if the road construction is being delayed).

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311 Findings From Our Consultations

We have undertaken extensive consultations over the period of the study (see Appendix A for the list of consultees) and summarise the key comments as follows:

* almost everyone recognises the outstanding natural and cultural qualities of the Gorge which are largely ignored or forgotten : all agencies would like to see its outstanding potential maximised

* most people are concerned about the potential impact of the dualling of the A465 and recognise the blighting caused by uncertainty over the programme : many would prefer the road through Clydach Gorge not to be improved at all

* the lack of visitor facilities (including toilets) along the A465 gives rise to concern as does inadequate white on brown signage to places with appropriate facilities and particularly Gilwern and Brynmawr

* the Master Plan for Valleys Regional Park identified Abergavenny as a gateway : the opportunity to develop visitor information/orientation at an appropriate point along the A465 in the short term would be welcomed

* the closeness to Abergavenny should be exploited : it has a wide range of accommodation, excellent shopping, food and drink, a Tourist Information Centre and railway station : yet little connection or referral exists

* there is currently no campsite in the World Heritage Site or in the immediate vicinity of Clydach Gorge : the WHS, BBNP and local pubs would welcome the opportunity for the Clydach South campsite to reopen

* there is concern as to the availability of public sector capital and revenue funding : ideally additional visitor facilities would benefit from private sector investment but it is recognised that this is unlikely to occur in the current economic downturn and on- going uncertainty (and resultant blighting) in relation to the programming of the A465

* it is important to devise a phased solution in order to take advantage of the potential EU Convergence and Heritage Lottery funding in relation to Valleys Regional Park and Forgotten Landscapes project respectively

* Clydach South is where the landscape changes from the green rolling Monmouthshire countryside into the harsher, bleaker industrial landscape of the Valleys. It represents the start of the Valleys but is currently poorly managed despite recent work to repair and consolidate Clydach Ironworks which has made a great difference : there is a real opportunity to redevelop the campsite/picnic site closely linked to Clydach Ironworks ideally using currently disused former CEMEX site. Acquiring that site would allow an integrated and holistic approach to the treatment of the public land holding improving the setting of the Scheduled Ancient Monument (and at the same time removing the problem of the future road widening on the existing campsite)

* there is a vast network of paths and trails but a lack of circular routes. Development of circular links could enable further circular walking, cycling and riding to be developed on both sides of the A465 despite the challenging gradients

* there is a real desire to strengthen links into the WHS using the Iron Mountain Trail and other routes : this could involve cycle hire operators such as ‘Mountain Tours’ in Blaenavon

* the WHS has an aspiration to extend both the NCR46 and the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway to Brynmawr. This could be associated with a Park and Ride shuttle bus service into the WHS. It suggests there is potential to establish a major visitor

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gateway at Brynmawr with the B4248 providing a direct route off the A465 into the WHS

* it is important to use the project offering greater access and recreation into the area to support local businesses and communities : walking and cycling trails need to be designed to pass pubs

* there is real value in developing the existing walks, talks and events programme using Clydach Gorge as a venue

* there are opportunities to develop an oral history project to generate community memory and stimulate community engagement, involvement and a sense of place : this might lead to a community heritage project to celebrate the special qualities of Clydach Gorge. There are opportunities to take advantage of the HERIAN training programmes available to communities like Clydach South, Llanelly Hill and Gilwern to train interested local people as guides/ambassadors

* it is important to establish ‘gateways’ at appropriate locations providing information, orientation and interpretation to enable visitors and local people to explore the extraordinary natural and cultural heritage of the Gorge

* interpretation, signage and public art should be key elements of any proposals to improve access and recreation

* the remaining industrial features are in various stages of decay with little or no money invested in them for many years : yet they are the remaining relics of a past age and deserve to be conserved and consolidated. Understanding their current condition is a prerequisite to a programme of consolidation.

312 Conclusion

In this section we have reviewed and analysed the current situation. This has identified the key assets and constraints which are illustrated in the photograph sheets overleaf. It has reaffirmed just how important Clydach Gorge is and has emphasised:

* the need to improve the interpretation throughout the Gorge but particularly in relation to the natural and cultural heritage sites (the various Interpretation Plans provide clear guidelines and Forgotten Landscapes may provide the first opportunity)

* the need to commission a survey of the key cultural heritage sites as a basis for essential conservation and consolidation

* there are key gaps in the walking, cycling and riding networks which need to be addressed

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* there is real potential to establish a Clydach Gorge Walks and Events Programme which could be run by local people (there are also opportunities for training)

* the pubs are now the last focus of community activity in the Gorge and can play an important role in supporting local people and visitors whether walkers, cyclists or riders. The concept of ‘the pub’s the hub’ whereby pubs also include a shop/post office, accommodation and information point should be promoted to ensure greater sustainability

* there is a lack of essential visitor services along the A465 including petrol filling stations, refreshments, toilets, picnic areas, viewpoints etc which need to be addressed

* it is important to open discussions with Highways Wales at the earliest possible time in order to influence the design, alignment and land take for the potential dualling to ensure that the proposals emanating from this report are taken into account

* a programme of investment is important to conserve what exists and enable local people and visitors to enjoy it to the full.

We now move on to consider the ‘concept of gateways’ and how they relate to Clydach Gorge.

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CLYDACH GORGE : KEY CONSTRAINTS

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CLYDACH GORGE : NATURAL AND CULTURAL ASSETS

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4. GATEWAYS AND THEIR POTENTIAL

401 Introduction

In this section we consider the theory of ‘gateways’ (which are discussed in more detail in Appendix C) and then consider their potential role in relation to Clydach Gorge and how they can be developed to maximise the potential both of Clydach Gorge and also the wider destinations of WHS, BBNP and VRP.

402 What Is A Gateway?

From work undertaken for Torfaen County Borough Council as part of the Boundless Parks Naturally! project in 2005 we defined a gateway as:

‘the point of engagement with visitors and local people as they set out to explore protected areas’

Gateways can take different forms but are an integral part of the overall visitor experience which encompasses every step along the way of a ‘visit’ to a protected landscape from:

* making the decision to visit (often in the home many miles away from the site)

* the arrival at the site

* the range of facilities provided to enable the visitor to enjoy the best possible experience

* the experience itself

* the departure and post-visit experience

* associated visitor support infrastructure (accommodation, food and drink etc)

* associated brand destination.

403 What Is Visitor Communication?

How we communicate with visitors is a crucial aspect of visitor management and, therefore, gateway planning. There are four distinct, and very different, aspects to visitor communication which are particularly relevant to the subject and we define these as follows:

* welcome and orientation – which introduces the visitor to Clydach Gorge, provides a plan identifying what there is to see and do and, to varying degrees, provides the visitor with the initial wherewithal to go out and enjoy it. This can be an orientation panel or something more elaborate such as an interpretive shelter. Such facilities need to be readily available at entrances, or ‘gateways’, to the site

* information – to assist the visitor to get the most out of their visit. This can be in the form of face to face information at a Tourist Information Centre (such as Abergavenny, Crickhowell or the St Peter’s Centre Blaenavon), a ⅓ A4 marketing and promotional leaflet or a trail leaflet which is available on site or at the Tourist Information Centre

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VRP. These are usually provided at exit points eg. the exit from a visitor centre, the walk to the car park or as the visitor drives out of the site. The objective is to raise awareness of other opportunities for the visitor and to influence their future attitudes and behaviour which can lead to return, or repeat, visits

* interpretation – the media by which the themes and stories about Clydach Gorge, or other protected landscapes, are communicated to the visitor. Finding the most appropriate place for interpretation is a key issue in helping the visitor appreciate what is so special about a site. It should be the ‘natural point’ which we call the genius loci. The choice of site is particularly important and should be on the route along which visitors naturally walk or travel.

Whilst these four aspects of visitor communication are very different they are often misunderstood and sometimes used, even by professionals, in the wrong way. It is important that the differences are understood and appreciated from the start.

Gateways play a key role in ‘visitor communication’ and are used to influence the way we want visitors to enter, use and enjoy Clydach Gorge and other nearby protected landscapes. The overall objective is to ensure that visitors use these special landscapes in a sustainable way minimising their impact on the landscape they are coming to see. We call this visitor management.

404 Gateways Are An Integral Part Of Visitor Management

The preparation of Visitor Management Plans, or Visitor Experience Plans, is recognised as a key element of the overall management of protected landscapes. They relate directly to the overall Management Plan for the area and provide the basis, and detailed proposals, for the sensitive control of visitors to ensure the key principles behind the resource (or ecological) management of the area are achieved.

For example, a World Heritage Site, National Park or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty will have an overall Management Plan which establishes the vision, key objectives and themes that the area is trying to achieve. It may be maintaining the ecological diversity and protecting areas of extreme sensitivity whilst at the same time encouraging visitors to enjoy and appreciate the areas’ special qualities. The Visitor Management Plan becomes the tool by which this is achieved and within the Visitor Management Plan the role of ‘gateways’ is clarified.

Visitor management can be visitor-led. This recognises the physical sequence of the visitor experience such as ‘crossing the border’, ‘reaching a lay-by’, ‘going to the visitor centre’, ‘going out into the landscape’ and ‘parking’. The visitor, or gateway, centre should have popular appeal and be at the place (or places) where most people are likely to or already go to.

Alternatively it can be product-led where there is a stronger visitor intervention role to manage visitor flows and direct people where the park, or protected area, wants them to go including areas which can accept visitor pressure. This is likely to have a stronger emphasis on satellite (or dispersed) gateways and specialist interests.

Ideally both can work together. However, Clydach Gorge does not necessarily require every type of gateway. The solution will depend on the terrain, landscape, routes, sites and visitors natural patterns of behaviour.

Nor should we ignore the objectives of stakeholders:

* to maximise awareness

* to influence visitor behaviour

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* to conserve and enhance the ecological importance of a site

* to ensure partnership with other organisations having a role and interest in the protected landscape.

These factors are all fed into the Visitor Management Plan and influence the nature, role and function of the gateway at the end of the day.

405 There Are Different Types Of Gateway

There are different types of gateway to consider:

* pre-visit gateways can inform visitors and influence whether they will visit in the first place eg. websites, Tourist Information Centres, brochures, publications and tourism signage

* boundary or ‘threshold’ signs identify the boundary to a park, or protected landscape, and create a sense of welcome

* visitor orientation and information points in lay-bys offer an essential first level of visitor support

* secondary entrances eg. off the A4248 down into Clydach Gorge or the NCR46 are also gateways

* visitor attractions eg. Clydach Ironworks or viewpoints eg. Llanelly Quarry are dispersed gateways which can offer not only interpretation about the specific site or view but also orientation and referral to the wider Clydach Gorge

* people can also be gateways including rangers (wardens), walks leaders, as well as publicans, shopkeepers etc who act as ambassadors for the area.

406 So How Does This Relate To Clydach Gorge?

Our earlier analysis has identified:

* the lack of visitor services along the A465 (and particularly no toilets, catering or picnic areas)

* the new large white on brown sign on the A465 west of the A40 intersection promoting Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site and directing car borne visitors through Llanfoist and over the Blorenge : this is not supported by any visitor orientation and information

* the new threshold sign for Brecon Beacons National Park on the A465 half way between the Llanfoist intersection and the Gilwern roundabout : again, not supported by any visitor orientation and information

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* the value and importance of providing good visitor information and orientation on Brecon Beacons National Park and Valleys Regional Park along the A465

* the current lack of appropriate visitor information and associated facilities to help visitors explore Clydach Gorge.

There is a de facto need to develop visitor support services, or gateways, along the A465 to help visitors appreciate what is available and how to maximise the quality of their visit to BBNP, WHS, VRP, Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal and Clydach Gorge. We believe there are eight potential locations to provide this essential visitor support (or gateway services) including:

* the layby on the A465 between Abergavenny – Gilwern

* Llanfoist

* Govilon Wharf

* King George V Playing Fields Govilon

* land in the vicinity of Gilwern roundabout and Gilwern Village

* Clydach South

* Brynmawr roundabout

* existing laybys on both sides of the A465 in the vicinity of the ‘summit’ west of Brynmawr.

These are located on Map 4.1 overleaf.

407 A465 Layby West Of Abergavenny

Subject to highway considerations this would be an ideal place to provide a visitor information and orientation facility (supported with advance white on brown signage) which could provide appropriate material on:

* WHS

* BBNP

* Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal

* VRP

* Clydach Gorge

This could be in the form of an elaborate hexagonal shelter with a general introductory panel plus specific information on the individual areas or a simple extended panel.

There is a strong case for developing an appropriate gateway facility in the short term irrespective of the wider recommendations of this study.

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408 Llanfoist

The Community Council has aspirations to develop a community heritage project in the Village Hall which would provide the opportunity to develop gateway facilities for the WHS, National Park, Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal and, to some degree, Clydach Gorge. Such a facility could also provide toilets for visitors, the potential for picnic facilities and even a café.

The downside of this concept would be encouraging even more traffic into, and through, the village and how it would be managed and operated acceptably.

The Community Heritage initiative should be supported, and the wider gateway opportunities, particularly in relation to the WHS and Canal with linkages to Clydach Gorge should be built into the planning. However, it is not a good location for wider gateway provision.

409 Govilon Wharf

Govilon Wharf, on the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal, is located on the B4246 over the Blorenge into Blaenavon World Heritage Site. It is just inside the World Heritage Site boundary and has a WHS orientation panel (poorly sited) in the visitor car park. It is also:

* an established visitor destination with limited visitor facilities

* adjacent to the NCR46 leading westwards into Clydach Gorge

* part of the Canal corridor British Waterways are currently seeking to regenerate

* the canal is a key part of the Clydach story

* Govilon village has already successfully developed its heritage story

* Govilon is the gateway to the beautiful Cwm Llanwernarth which has a network of outstanding walking routes

* it is potentially a good place to provide improved visitor orientation for the World Heritage Site.

However,

* the existing car park has limited capacity

* there is limited land to develop improved visitor orientation facilities including toilets

* the interpretive proposals for the site have yet to be developed

* there are concerns that British Waterways will be unable to provide staff support.

Govilon Wharf is already a mini gateway to the Canal and WHS. The potential to develop a more extensive facility should be built into the British Waterways Canal

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Corridor Regeneration Initiative. There should also be interpretation related to the Canal and NCR46 which makes a direct link between the railway, the Canal and Clydach Gorge.

410 King George V Playing Fields Govilon

Owned by Llanfoist Community Council and located to the west of Govilon village, immediately south of the A465, and accessed off the B4269 the playing fields include a large informal car park and a pavilion serving a football pitch. The Community Council are anxious to upgrade the facility and are interested in exploring the potential for the pavilion to also provide visitor information, catering and toilets.

The complex is around 600m from the A465 Gilwern roundabout and involves the visitor doubling back to reach it. High quality white on brown signage would be required to attract potential users. It is in public ownership and only 400m to the north of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal with public rights of way leading to it.

This is one of several potential sites which could provide visitor services in the vicinity of the Gilwern roundabout subject to detailed feasibility into the capital cost involved in adapting the pavilion and car park, potential sources of funding and the operational implications.

411 Land In The Vicinity Of Gilwern Roundabout And Gilwern Village

Whilst there was a petrol filling station, Little Chef and campsite on the north west side of the roundabout this was compulsory purchased as part of the road dualling. The intersection involved a significant land take and although the location is, potentially, an excellent place to develop visitor services there is little land available which is suitable.

There is an area of land to the south of the roundabout adjacent to the canal which was, at one stage, put forward as a potential development called the Glanbaiden Waterway and Services Experience. There would be an issue of access off the A465 but the relationship with the canal could make this an attractive proposition.

Both locations could provide a genuine gateway to Clydach Gorge (along the A465), VRP, BBNP, the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal, Usk Valley Walk and Cwm Llanwenarth but:

* would require significant land availability

* private sector agreement and investment

* planning permission.

This clearly requires detailed feasibility but only if the Welsh Assembly Government New Road Units support the concept of visitor facilities in this location.

In the short term it would be appropriate to install white on brown signage on the A465 (westbound and eastbound) directing road users to the village services of Gilwern which includes pubs, post office/general store and a range of other shops. This is done regularly in other places to assist both motorists and village communities. It could stimulate the

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establishment of a new café and encourage the pubs to stay open longer and continue to provide good food.

Gilwern Car Park Village shops Gilwern Wharf

The village offers walks along the canal towpath towards Gilwern Wharf and also under the embankment and along the Llam-march Tramroad towards Clydach Gorge. Visitor orientation should ideally be sited in the main village car park and also the picnic area to the west of Gilwern Wharf (which will be open again in March 2009). It will have 20 car parking spaces plus interpretation and picnic facilities.

The village would really benefit from what is a low cost initiative. The provision of white on brown signage into Gilwern village should be pursued at the earliest opportunity.

412 Clydach South

The access road into Clydach South creates a long narrow strip of land immediate south of the A465, largely in the ownership of Monmouthshire County Council, which culminates at Clydach Ironworks. The Ironworks sits in the bottom of the valley adjacent to the Afon Clydach. Above it is an area of woodland bounding a playing field, play area and community hall owned and managed by Llanelly Community Council.

The Clydach South site was laid out as a picnic area and campsite by Blaenau Gwent in the late 1980’s when consolidation works were also undertaken to the Ironworks with funding from Cadw, the local authority and the Manpower Services Commission.

What is clear is that:

* Clydach South is not only the natural gateway to the Gorge but also a gateway to the Valleys and Valleys Regional Park (the point where the Valleys landscape begins)

* the area was well known and was well used in the past

* it became part of Monmouthshire County Council in 1996 managed by the Countryside Service

* the campsite was initially successful but has since closed and deteriorated

* the picnic area and car park is poorly managed and maintained at present : there are perceptions of possible car theft and vandalism (although it is understood not currently a reality)

* Monmouthshire has undertaken a further programme of consolidation of Clydach Ironworks (Scheduled Ancient Monument) which now looks extremely attractive despite the ugly high voltage pylon immediately in front of it (discussed in 309 and 310 above)

* the eastern part of the SAM has been leased to CEMEX as a batching plant which subsequently closed and is currently vacant (the agents for CEMEX are seeking tenants)

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* there is an extensive network of public rights of way in and around Clydach South assisted by a subway under the A465 to Cheltenham

* there are various walks leaflets and publications which include Clydach Ironworks and the picnic site/car park is used as a starting point for walks (although for most routes there is a steep climb to start with)

* the site is close to NCR46 although it involves a considerable, and steep, climb to reach it

* it is close to the underused Clydach South community hall and toilets although, again, this involves a steady climb which means it is probably not realistic for transit visitors to use

* the campsite will almost inevitably be affected by the A465 dualling (this is discussed in the A465 Landscape Appraisal Appendix C12) and is therefore blighted until an announcement is made on the road.

However, the site clearly has significant potential:

* it is in public ownership, arguably includes the primary cultural heritage site in the Gorge and is very close to Cwm Clydach Special Area of Conservation

* it is a natural gateway to Clydach Gorge but is in need of revitalisation to support the on-going consolidation work to Clydach Ironworks

* the purchase of the CEMEX site at the earliest opportunity, and also the paddock to the north and east adjacent to the river, would enable all visitor facilities to be concentrated together and improve informal supervision of the Ironworks. It would also ensure the CEMEX site was not purchased by others for development, would consolidate the public ownership and create an attractive site

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adjacent to the Ironworks that could be developed as a more extensive, attractive, permanent, yet low key, gateway facility on the A465 serving BBNP, the WHS and VRP

* this could be designed to include essential visitor information, orientation and interpretation and also toilets, café, picnic site and caravan/campsite with riverside walk

* it would strengthen its role as a starting point for circular walks, and cycle rides, and as a ‘hub’ for longer walks leading over Gilwern Hill and into Blaenavon

* it would also be a starting point for visitors to access and use the NCR46

* it should ideally include the undergrounding of the pylons as part of the mitigation to the road dualling

* it would also need high quality white on brown signage off the A465

* it is essential that BBNP planners are consulted as the proposals for the site evolve to ensure they satisfy planning policy

* such a scheme is potentially fundable through EU Convergence as the north east gateway to Valleys Regional Park.

There is no doubt that Clydach South is an ideal location to create a revitalised countryside recreation site that could incorporate a visitor gateway function in relation to Blaenavon, Brecon Beacons and Valleys Regional Park. Further, with the purchase of the CEMEX site and associated land, it would not be blighted by any future A465 dualling and could,therefore, be developed in the short term.

413 Brynmawr Roundabout

The fact that there was a filling station on the westbound carriageway off the A465 just to the east of the Brynmawr roundabout emphasises that the importance of visitor services in this location has long been recognised. However, the filling station was compulsorarily acquired several years ago by Highways Wales in connection with the dualling and it is currently used as a car valet.

The area comprises:

* the junction of four key roads (the A465, the A467 to Newport leading to the B4248 to Blaenavon and the A4047 Brynmawr – Tredegar Road)

* it is a natural gateway to Clydach Gorge (from the west), the World Heritage Site, National Park and Valleys Regional Park

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* there is a considerable area of open land to the south of the roundabout which has been reclaimed from open cast operations : it is floristically rich and will improve as the ecology matures

* the A4248 arguably provides the best vehicular route into the World Heritage Site

* the site provides easy and direct access onto the NCR46 down Clydach Gorge to Abergavenny (with a potential link along the former railway line to Blaenavon)

* the site is ideally located for private sector development of visitor services associated with the A465 which could include petrol filling station, café/restaurant, toilets, picnic and play area and essential gateway visitor information and orientation provision to Valleys Regional Park, the National Park and World Heritage Site

* there has long been an aspiration to extend the Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway westwards from Garn Lake to Brynmawr. This has been impossible to implement because the landowners, Walters Mining, hope to undertake further open cast operations to the west of the World Heritage Site. However, should the opportunity arise, the World Heritage Team would like to take the railway, and NCR46 Pontypool – Blaenavon – Brynmawr route to the Racecourse pub and then following the original line of the railway to the area to the south of the Brynmawr roundabout (it is understood that this is to be investigated again under the Forgotten Landscapes Project)

* the two arms of National Cycle Route 46 would join together at this point and this offers the opportunity to establish a cycle hire company

* there would also be the potential, in the future, to establish a Park and Ride service from there into the World Heritage Site

* there are opportunities to take advantage of the strong community partnerships of the Ebbw Fach

* there is potential to take advantage of, and embrace, the opportunities of Cordell Country.

Having said that we are conscious that:

* the NCR46, the Hafod Walk and pedestrian access into Clydach Gorge need to be incorporated into the proposals

* there is a question mark over the ground conditions after the previous open cast operations

* the area has biodiversity and heritage value and this needs to be protected

* the proposed use needs to be incorporated into the Local Development Plan which is currently being developed

* the development is likely to be private sector led which is obviously affected by the current economic downturn

* any potential development is blighted until the A465 road alignment, access options and programme is announced. Even if the Clydach Gorge dualling is delayed the Brynmawr roundabout junction is likely to be created (similar to Gilwern) as part of the Tredegar section and so the access arrangements into a proposed Service Area will be determined

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* there needs to be a detailed feasibility study undertaken incorporating proposals for NCR46, the potential railway extension and the existing Hafod Walk

* in the meantime, the Hafod Walk needs to be upgraded to mitigate against the noise, fumes and the health hazard of sewage outfall.

We believe that this site has the potential to become a major gateway to Valleys Regional Park, the World Heritage Site and the National Park and provide essential visitor services to travellers along the A465. However, any development is currently blighted by uncertainty over the proposed dualling and is unlikely to be developed until towards the end of the highways contract.

414 Existing Laybys On A465 West Of Brynmawr

There are currently laybys on both the westbound and eastbound carriageways of the A465 in the vicinity of the ‘summit’. Although both appear to be well used neither includes any visitor information. Both sites have potential to provide essential visitor information and orientation:

* westbound – to Valleys Regional Park and the National Park

* eastbound – to the World Heritage Site and Clydach Gorge.

This could be in the form of a large orientation panel or some form of open shelter structure. It could be implemented in the short term although would have to be removed and stored during the upgrading of the road. This is a real opportunity which has not, as yet, been taken and it could be implemented in the short term.

415 Dispersed Gateways

As described in 405 above the natural and cultural sites within the Gorge that attract visitors should be conserved, interpreted and celebrated in their own right. They can also act as dispersed gateways with information, orientation and referral similar to sites within the World Heritage Site such as Keeper’s Pond and Foxhunters. We have identified the following sites:

* Black Rock Limekilns

* Hafod Arch

* Clydach Quarry, Limekilns and viaduct (adjacent to Clydach South)

* Gellifelen Tunnels

* Gilwern Wharf, canal embankment and Llam-march Tramroad

* Llanelly Quarry and Limekilns

* Devil’s Bridge.

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416 Conclusion

In this section we have introduced the concept of gateways and analysed a range of sites within, and in the vicinity of, Clydach Gorge which have potential to be developed as visitor gateways. We have found that:

* the layby on the westbound carriageway of the A465 between Abergavenny and Gilwern could be developed now as a visitor information, orientation and referral point for Clydach Gorge, Valleys Regional Park and Brecon Beacons National Park

* the use of the Llanfoist Village Hall for a community heritage initiative with gateway orientation to the World Heritage Site, the canal and Clydach Gorge should be supported but it is not a location for wider gateway orientation

* the visitor orientation and interpretation at Govilon Wharf has room for significant improvement associated with NCR46 leading westwards up into Clydach Gorge : this can potentially be addressed as part of the canal corridor revitalisation

* the potential development of visitor facilities at King George V playing fields and other sites in the vicinity of Gilwern roundabout requires a separate feasibility study

* the introduction of white on brown signage (both eastbound and westbound) on the A465 to highlight visitor services in Gilwern village is something that could be done immediately at relatively low cost and would, without doubt, generate much needed economic benefit to the village that could stimulate new businesses including a café and cycle hire. Visitor orientation should also be provided in the BW/MCC car park to the west of Gilwern Wharf

* Clydach South has enormous potential for improvement of the existing countryside recreation facilities : the purchase of the CEMEX site and associated land adjacent to the Afon Clydach would allow a comprehensive development of gateway facilities associated with Clydach Ironworks including toilets, café, visitor orientation and referral, picnic area and campsite. By relocating the facilities westward towards the Ironworks they would not be blighted by any future dualling and could become a gateway to both Clydach Gorge, the National Park and Valleys Regional Park

* the Brynmawr Roundabout area has the potential to become a major service area on the A465 which could also be a gateway to the World Heritage Site, National Park, Valleys Regional Park and Clydach Gorge from the west. It is inevitably blighted by the road proposals and programme although once the road has been designed it may be possible to consider short term initiatives to start to use the site

* the laybys on the A465 at the ‘summit’ could incorporate valuable visitor information and orientation in the short term although this may need to be removed and stored during the road construction.

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There is a strong case for considering a ‘gateway’ initiative incorporating each of these projects. Some require initial feasibility but others eg. signage into Gilwern Village, the proposed A465 westbound visitor orientation and Clydach South could be progressed immediately funding has been obtained.

Now we have discussed potential gateways we move on to consider the key findings.

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5. KEY FINDINGS : TOWARDS A STRATEGY

501 Introduction

In this section we draw together the key conclusions from our appraisal and analysis and consider the way forward.

502 Key Findings From The Appraisal And Analysis

In the course of the study we have identified:

* Clydach Gorge is acknowledged by almost everyone we have spoken to as an outstanding natural and cultural feature of national and international importance with outstanding views which has been largely ignored and forgotten to date

* Clydach Gorge is firmly embedded in national, regional and local strategies but is on the ‘edge’ of different authorities and agencies and does not attract the attention and investment it deserves

* it is used for a variety of recreational purposes including walking, cycling, riding and caving : since the opening up of NCR46 the area has become increasingly popular

* it has the qualities which suggest that it is a natural extension to Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site and this should be considered when the WHS Management Plan is reviewed

* the construction of the A465 Heads of the Valleys Road in the 1960’s physically, psychologically, economically and socially divided the Gorge. The potential dualling of the road must be undertaken with extreme sensitivity in order to minimise further impact on the natural and cultural heritage and to positively improve the quality where possible

* Abergavenny is the key gateway town with excellent visitor infrastructure but with little or no referral to Clydach Gorge

* the communities of Clydach Gorge now enjoy minimal facilities including two community halls and ten pubs all with reduced opening hours. Only Gilwern and Brynmawr have shops and a wider range of services serving local people

* there are no visitor services along the entire A465 from Raglan to Neath unless visitors find their way to garages associated with superstores (but there are no signs to help them) : the two garages in the Clydach Gorge section were compulsory acquired and for various reasons the two campsites have also closed

* there is a desire to improve the overall tourism product for visitors and local people by providing visitor facilities and interpretation and opening up walking and cycling routes

* there is real potential to improve the existing visitor facilities in Clydach South and to develop ‘gateway’ facilities there and at specific locations along the A465 in relation to Clydach Gorge, the World Heritage Site, Brecon Beacons National Park and the emerging Valleys Regional Park

* there is an extensive network of waymarked rights of way, plus NCR46, supported by various publications and trail leaflets but minimal on site interpretation

* the Rights of Way network is crucial to increasing the recreational use of the area : the extensive network is in reasonable condition but the Rights of Way Improvement Plan has funding over the next few years to deal with key issues

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* the network of routes for walking, cycling and riding should be enhanced to make it more attractive for visitors and promoted by publications which are downloadable and supported by enhanced waymarking and on-site interpretation : it is important that these routes pass pubs and support the local economy

* the pubs are fragile and, although individual pubs are seeking to develop a quality experience, thought should be given to promoting the ‘pub’s the hub’ concept encouraging pubs to offer other services eg. village shop to ensure they continue to be sustainable and to encourage them all to work together

* it is understood that the Drum & Monkey and The Lion have been offered a 12 year lease which suggests the road widening has been pushed back to c. 2020

* Clydach South includes Clydach Ironworks (a Scheduled Ancient Monument), a picnic site and campsite all in public ownership but, although consolidation works have been taking place on the Ironworks, there has been minimum management and maintenance of the rest of the area : the former CEMEX site, which is part of the SAM, is vacant and available for let. We believe that every effort should be made to acquire it, and the associated woodland and paddock on the opposite side of the lane, to protect and enhance the SAM and develop appropriate countryside recreation (and visitor gateway) facilities

* this could include toilets, café, car park, picnic area and a campsite coupled with visitor information, orientation and referral to the World Heritage Site, Brecon Beacons National Park and Valleys Regional Park and enhanced interpretation for the Gorge : reopening the campsite would, in particular, be welcomed by the WHS and local businesses

* uncertainty over the impact of dualling the A465 is blighting the potential to develop new, and enhance existing, gateway facilities

* a phased approach is essential to take advantage of EU Convergence, Forgotten Landscapes, Heritage Lottery Fund and associated funding particularly if it can be argued that Clydach South can act as a gateway to Valleys Regional Park

* there is potential to develop a dedicated Clydach Gorge website with links to local caving, climbing and cycling opportunities and accommodation

* the pubs are fragile and although individual pubs are seeking to develop a quality experience thought should be given to promoting the ‘pub’s the hub’ concept encouraging pubs to offer other services eg. village shop to ensure they continue to be sustainable and to encourage them all to work together.

503 Vision And Objectives

Our Vision for Clydach Gorge is…..

‘….. to establish Clydach Gorge as a sustainable tourist destination acknowledged for its outstanding natural and industrial heritage which local people and visitors can enjoy through walking, cycling, riding, caving and other specialist activities supported by a quality visitor infrastructure…. which, at the same time, can provide essential visitor services and gateway facilities in relation to the surrounding area including Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site, Brecon Beacons National Park and the emerging Valleys Regional Park.’

The key objectives for the area are to ensure:

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* the natural heritage is ‘in favourable condition’ and can be accessed and enjoyed by all for recreational and educational purposes (including additional paths as appropriate)

* the outstanding cultural heritage is adequately surveyed and a programme of conservation and consolidation is undertaken so that these features, which are so important to our wider understanding of the Industrial Revolution, are managed in a sustainable condition and through interpretation can be enjoyed by everyone

* the condition of the extensive network of paths and trails (including NCR46) is improved and maintained in good condition, well waymarked with strengthened links into the World Heritage Site and Blaenau Gwent, interpreted and promoted through leaflets and trail publications

* the promotion of the area for activity based recreation positively benefits existing businesses in the local economy and stimulates the creation of new businesses such as cycle hire, tour guides, local shop (this might be an opportunity for the Blaenavon Cheese Company and Mountain Tours to diversify)

* a hierarchy of visitor services including essential visitor information and orientation, toilets, rest areas, catering and petrol filling stations is devised and developed along the Heads of the Valleys Road eg. from information shelters near Gilwern to a major service area at Brynmawr whilst maximising the existing facilities in communities like Gilwern

* the recreational facilities at Clydach Gorge, in particular, are revitalised in association with Clydach Ironworks providing a rest area for travellers and gateway facilities for visitors to Clydach Gorge, Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site, Brecon Beacons National Park and Valleys Regional Park

* the natural and cultural heritage of the area is effectively interpreted using a variety of interpretive media and the area is proactively promoted as an outstanding, and easily accessible, resource for curricula related teaching and learning and life long learning.

504 Establishing The Business Case

There is an aspiration to develop a package of sustainable tourism proposals which will, with appropriate promotion and marketing:

* improve the prosperity of the communities in the Clydach Gorge

* assist the economic regeneration of the communities on the Heads of the Valleys corridor and the south eastern Brecon Beacons National Park

* help deliver the key strategies and policies contained in the various strategic documents discussed in Section 2 and set out in more detail in Appendix C.

In our analysis in Sections 3 & 4 and summarised in 502 above we have explained that:

* Clydach Gorge is an outstanding natural, cultural and recreational resource acknowledged at national and international level but which is ‘on the edge’ of different authorities and initiatives and, as a result, is largely forgotten and not promoted

* whilst closely associated with the World Heritage Site it is arguably greener, lusher and aesthetically more appealing than the stark open landscapes ‘over the hill’

* the communities of the Gorge have been in decline since the construction of the Heads of Valleys Road 40 years ago and have minimal community facilities, no shops

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and only a scattering of pubs : the tourism infrastructure of accommodation, food and drink is equally limited

* the two key communities each containing a range of services and facilities are at either end of the Gorge : Gilwern and Brynmawr but both are in need of regeneration

* there has been a long established focus for visitors in the form of Clydach Ironworks together with a picnic site and campsite which were once well known and used. Although the Ironworks has benefited from recent investment the campsite has been closed for several years and the picnic site is poorly managed and maintained. Nevertheless, they are in public ownership, easily accessible and can provide a foundation on which to build a project

* the area has an extensive network of footpaths and trails which link over Gilwern Hill into Blaeavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site and are increasingly being used

* NCR46 has been established along the former Merthyr, Tredegar and Abergavenny Railway which has stimulated a significant increase in recreational cycling particularly from Brynmawr

* the area is nationally acknowledged for its outstanding geology and caving activities

* there is a lack of visitor facilities along the Heads of the Valleys Road which Clydach South could rectify in the short term

* it is also a natural gateway to Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site, Brecon Beacons National Park and the emerging Valleys Regional Park

* in truth it has the ‘raw materials’ with which to create a highly successful sustainable tourism venue but the product needs to be developed based on a destination at Clydach South and promoted and marketed to maximise its potential.

What is the offer?

Clydach Gorge offers an extensive network of footpaths and trails for walking, cycling and, to some degree, riding in a special and spectacular natural and cultural landscape which is easily accessible (albeit with steep hillsides) from Clydach South but also from other communities along the Gorge including Govilon, Gilwern and Brynmawr.

In parallel with this Clydach South offers an essential transit (comfort) stop on the A465 with information and visitor orientation to the World Heritage Site, National Park and Valleys Regional Park.

Who are the existing/potential audiences?

The key audiences are of two specific types:

* people who enjoy the countryside and heritage through walking and cycling who include:

(a) local residents from the adjacent communities

(b) recreational and specialist cyclists (and mountain bikers)

(d) day visitors to Monmouthshire, the World Heritage Site and the National Park

(e) educational groups

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(f) special interest groups (natural history and industrial archaeology)

* transit visitors who stop at Clydach South and other ‘gateways’ en route along the A465 who can be:

(a) motorists wanting a break and refreshments

(b) motorists with tents/caravans who want an overnight stop.

How do we make the Gorge more accessible?

This can be achieved by:

* developing an attractive facility around Clydach Ironworks with refreshments, toilets, interpretation and orientation, picnic area and camping and caravanning site

* enhancing the public rights of way network, developing a series of themed trails and introducing innovative interpretation

* appropriate promotion and marketing through websites, publications, trail leaflets, comprehensive white on brown signage

* developing educational resources coupled with education marketing to attract and work with local schools and outdoor education centres

* developing outreach initiatives and ‘taking’ Clydach Gorge into the Gorge communities through schools, community halls, pubs etc.

How can the Gorge add value?

We have already described how Clydach Gorge is a natural extension of the World Heritage Site and is acknowledged as being part of the Forgotten Landscapes Partnership Project and Valleys Regional Park. It is said to have a greater concentration of industrial archaeological features in a small area than anywhere else in South Wales. It can therefore:

* strengthen and diversify the tourism product of the south east corner of the National Park

* make more of the physical and cultural linkage between the Gorge and the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal at Gilwern

* enhance the role of Gilwern as a gateway and ‘service centre’ to the Gorge and its communities

* enhance the role of Brynmawr which could provide a major service facility for motorists traveling the A465 offering visitor information and orientation to the World Heritage Site, National Park and Valleys Regional Park

* provide a valuable ‘gateway’ facility in the short term to help visitors appreciate what is on offer in the World Heritage Site, National Park and Valleys Regional Park.

What benefits can accrue to the local communities?

At present there is a complete lack of facilities within the Gorge communities (with the exception of pubs and a limited number of accommodation providers). These facilities are concentrated at each end of the Gorge in Gilwern and Brynmawr and a little further away in Govilon, Llanfoist and Blaenavon.

Transforming the facilities at Clydach South and promoting the Gorge for walking and cycling will stimulate more day visitors and, over time, staying visitors looking for accommodation in

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the area. Clydach South will create jobs which will have an indirect effect on the local economy. Walkers, cyclists and riders will use and sustain the pubs. Gilwern and Brynmawr will benefit from transit visitors attracted by white on brown signage. New food and drink businesses with accommodation will establish. Some individuals will decide to become tour guides. Increased prosperity will be reflected in improvements to property and the overall appearance of the area.

What is the best way to use limited resources as a catalyst for change?

We believe investment needs to be made by the public sector partners particularly in the current economic climate (with the benefit of grant aid) to:

* consolidate the public sector landholding around Clydach Ironworks

* establish a destination in the heart of the Gorge at Clydach South which provides much needed transit facilities for motorists that offer the opportunity to promote the Gorge, the World Heritage Site, the National Park and Valleys Regional Park

* this needs to be augmented by improvements to the rights of way network reinforcing and promoting a number of circular heritage trails of different lengths and difficulty which explore the natural and cultural heritage of the Gorge

* the introduction of a range of interpretive facilities which will help raise awareness and understanding of the natural and cultural importance of the area

* promotion and marketing through websites, promotional literature, trail leaflets etc

* the introduction of white on brown signage to encourage transit visitors to go into Gilwern and Brynmawr, as well as Clydach South, to use the facilities available

* the provision of business support to assist local entrepreneurs to take advantage of the increased footfall

* the provision of heritage skills training (through HERIAN) to encourage local people to get involved in researching, interpreting and celebrating their heritage.

Is this achievable?

This area has been down trodden for many years. It is unrealistic to expect the private sector to take the lead at this point in time because:

* the continued uncertainty surrounding the timing of the dualling of the road and the land take involved

* the current economic downturn

* the need to rationalise land ownership.

There is a strong case for Monmouthshire County Council, in partnership with the National Park Authority, SUSTRANS and the Countryside Council for Wales to take the lead to raise the capital funding to develop Clydach South (promoting its powerful ‘gateway’ potential) to a point where it becomes attractive to private/commercial investment thereby enabling franchising the management of the facility to minimise future revenue implications.

It is within this framework that we can develop our strategy.

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505 Towards A Strategy

We have established our vision and objectives and developed our business case. What is clear is that the area is increasingly being used, particularly since the introduction of NCR46, whilst with the construction of new housing and evidence of extensive renovation and improvement of the housing stock, the area is re-establishing a community pride and self- belief.

Our strategy must therefore include:

* the reincarnation of Clydach South as a transit facility and a gateway to Clydach Gorge and the wider area

* physical improvements to the natural and cultural heritage and countryside recreation infrastructure

* interpretation and education provision to encourage intellectual access to the outstanding natural and cultural heritage

* associated development of gateway facilities

* business development support to enhance the essential tourism infrastructure of food and drink, accommodation and other goods and services eg. tour guide, cycle hire etc.

It is important to recognise that each element of the strategy is inter-related in order to achieve the overall vision.

In Section 6 we break down our proposals into six key strands:

* Clydach South

* access and recreation

* interpretation and education

* physical enhancement

* gateways

* associated tourism infrastructure.

506 Conclusion

What is clear is that it will require effective partnership working between the various authorities, Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site, Brecon Beacons National Park, Valleys Regional Park the private and the voluntary sector. We now move on to describe our proposals in more detail.

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6. KEY PROPOSALS

601 Introduction

In this section we describe our proposals which seek to maximise the potential of Clydach Gorge for sustainable access and recreation whilst ensuring the natural and cultural heritage we want people to enjoy is safeguarded for future generations. We make specific recommendations in relation to visitor gateways for Clydach Gorge and along the A465 corridor and discuss how our proposals can support the local economy.

602 Clydach South

Monmouthshire County Council own visitor facilities at Clydach South including Clydach Ironworks (Scheduled Ancient Monument), car park, picnic area and a campsite. These facilities are dispersed along the Afon Clydach from the A465 access road to the Ironworks. They have been well used in the past but a combination of factors has led to them being poorly maintained and managed at present.

The campsite has been closed for some years and has been vandalised. It is currently being used as a site compound by Welsh Water in connection with infrastructure improvements. Uncertainties over the programming of the potential dualling of the A465 has meant it has not been possible to re-let the site. Again, this has been popular and well used in the past and its closure, plus the closure of the Gilwern campsite, has been sorely missed by the World Heritage Site. There is a strong desire for the site to be reopened but, in its current location, it is within the proposed land take for the dualling.

Proposed campsite Existing picnic site

At present there are no rest areas or visitor services along the A465 and, despite white on brown signage, it is not clear that the Clydach South site offers any sort of facility. Indeed, the current visitor experience, if visited, is less than satisfactory. Above all, it does not offer toilets and essential visitor information. The provision of enhanced visitor facilities would provide the opportunity to introduce visitor information, orientation, interpretation and referral for not only Clydach Gorge, for which this is the main car park, but also for the World Heritage Site, Brecon Beacons National Park and the emerging Valleys Regional Park.

In order to do this we need to move the ‘core’ of the facilities westwards towards Clydach Ironworks and away from the proposed ‘land take’ for the A465 dualling. This suggests that the Council should seek to purchase the former CEMEX batching plant (which forms part of the Scheduled Ancient Monument and is currently available for purchase) and also a paddock and woodland adjacent to the confluence of the Afon Clydach and the Nant Dyer. This will also upgrade the quality of the setting of the Clydach Ironworks itself and allow advanced planting to be carried out to soften the impact of any future road works.

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The CEMEX site ownership includes the woodland above which bounds the playing field and community hall owned and managed by Llanelly Community Council. We would envisage upgrading the path to the west of the Ironworks leading up to the Community Hall and developing a circular walk around the playing field to a viewing platform which can be created overlooking the Scheduled Ancient Monument. Our concept proposals are included overleaf.

Cemex Site View of Ironworks from above

We believe the advantage of these proposals will be:

* re-siting the campsite out of road ‘land take’ onto a site adjacent to river close to the Scheduled Ancient Monument will reduce effect of road noise

* concentration of facilities in one area thereby creating an improved visitor destination

* informal supervision of Clydach Ironworks by the range of activities including an overnight presence

* further consolidation of the Scheduled Ancient Monument

* implementing advance planting to mitigate the effect of the proposed slip road

* provision of better footpath links and a path network separated from the road

* giving opportunity to provide a short walking loop, including disabled access, to a viewing platform overlooking the Ironworks with access to an intermediate level of the structure

* development of a new picnic site at the confluence of the rivers with additional attractive features such as timber bridges and stepping stones.

We envisage the visitor facilities should comprise:

* toilets with a café/kiosk

* visitor information, orientation and interpretation about Clydach Gorge

* visitor information and orientation about the World Heritage Site, Brecon Beacons National Park and Valleys Regional Park

* picnic area and play area

* redevelopment of the transit camping and caravan site

* enhanced interpretation of Clydach Ironworks.

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We include overleaf photographs and construction details of a typical countryside toilet block developed by Forestry Commission Wales at Ty’n y Groes, Coed y Brenin which very much relates to its woodland setting. This cost around £100,000 plus the cost of services at today’s prices. It has been suggested that a more robust stone faced structure may be required at Clydach South.

We envisage that the County Council would take the lead by seeking grants to:

* purchase the CEMEX site and paddock

* erect the building

* construct the car park, picnic site and campsite.

Once the complex is created we envisage it will be operated by a local business who not only operates the café and campsite but also maintain the toilet block and surrounding landscape to the highest possible standard.

This complex will provide a starting point with interpretation and information for visitors to Clydach Gorge and also provide informal stopping off facilities for those wishing to take a break whilst travelling along the A465. Facilities would also benefit walkers and cyclists undertaking trails which pass through the nearby A465 subway.

Consultation with South Wales Police has recommended that the ability to barrier off the site should be retained, although it may not need regular use, and that the option of CCTV installation be considered.

The site could be included in the Artworks Strategy for the Heads of the Valley dualling project including for example:

* a local radio channel providing information for those visiting or passing through on the A465

* solar or water powered lighting

* new media based interpretive elements (eg. the use of the Node Explorer).

The HERIAN ‘Trail of Light’ project may well be appropriate for the sensitive lighting of Clydach Ironworks and should be pursued. It almost goes without saying that it is essential the pylons through the Gorge are put underground as part of the road improvement.

Outline Business Projections

We have analysed the historic traffic flow data provided by Highways Wales and developed an Outline Business Plan (profit and loss projection) for the rest area facility (café/toilet block), picnic area and campsite as described above.

Using the Monday – Friday average 16 hour flows (2006) we have made the following assumptions:

Eastbound 109,574

Winter (October – March) 51,409 Summer (April – September) 58,165

Westbound 108,387

Winter (October – March) 52,652 Summer (April – September) 56,773

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EXAMPLE OF UNMANNED FACILITY AT T’YN Y GROES AT COED Y BRENIN

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Daily flows are between 8-10,000 each way each day with peak hour flows of 800-1,000. We have made modest trading assumptions as follows:

* Council will supply building and site plus white on brown signage

* café open 52 weeks/year

* 10 hours per day (26 weeks)

* 8 hours per day (26 weeks)

* camping/caravan site (April – October) Caravans (full hook-ups) 10 Camping (pitches) 20

* maximum of 15 vehicles per hour of westbound passing traffic will stop during opening hours : 5 vehicles per hour eastbound

* assumed vehicle occupancy of 1.5

* there will be a regular clientele of walkers/day visitors and local people

* the café will include a small retail element

* the proprietor will be responsible for providing visitor information and maintaining the toilets, the picnic area and surrounding landscape to a high quality specification.

Based on the above we can build up an outline profit and loss projection as follows:

OUTLINE PROFIT AND LOSS PROJECTIONS

INCOME Catering Summer Passing Trade (Westbound) Say 15/hour x 1.5 x 10 hours x 7 days/week x 26 weeks 40,950

Summer Passing Trade (Eastbound) Say 5/hour x 1.5 x 10 hours x 7 days/week x 26 weeks 13,650

Winter Passing Trade (Westbound) Say 10/hour x 1.5 x 10 hours x 7 days/week x 26 weeks 27,300

Winter Passing Trade (Eastbound) Say 3/hour x 1.5 x 10 hours x 7 days/week x 26 weeks 8,190 TOTAL PASSING TRADE 90,090

Local trade, walkers, caravan site etc (Summer) 6/hour x 10 hours x 7 days/week x 26 weeks 10,920

Local trade, walkers etc (Winter) 3/hour x 10 hours x 7 days/week x 26 weeks 5,460 TOTAL FOOTFALL 106,470

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Average spend/head @ £1.50 159,705 Less VAT @ 15% 23,956 Sub Total 135,749 Less value of stock @ 40% 54,300 TOTAL INCOME FROM CATERING SALES 81,450

Retail Total Footfall 106,470 Average spend/head @ 25p 26,618 Less VAT @ 15% 3,993 Sub Total 22,625 Less value of stock @ 55% 12,444 TOTAL INCOME FROM RETAIL 10,181

Camping/Caravan Site Caravans Average 2.5 night x 200 nights x £20 (full hook ups/showers etc) 10,000 Camping Average 1/night x 200 nights x £10 2,000 Total Income 12,000 Less VAT @ 15% 1,800 Sub Total 10,200 Less materials/maintenance/equipment 2,000 TOTAL INCOME FROM CAMPING/CARAVAN 8,200

TOTAL INCOME 99,831

EXPENDITURE Staffing Proprietor @ 25,000 pa 25,000 NIC @ 11% 2,750 Part Time assistance 10,000 TOTAL STAFFING COSTS 37,750

Running Costs Rent @ £100/week 5,200 Rates/Business Rates 3,000 Insurances 2,000 Energy/Utilities/Telephone 5,000 Repairs and renewals of equipment 5,000 Promotion and marketing 1,000 Landscape maintenance equipment/contract 10,000 Contingency 5,000 TOTAL RUNNING COSTS 36,200

TOTAL EXPENDITURE 73,950 TOTAL INCOME 99,831 NET SURPLUS/DEFICIT 25,881

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This indicates that the tenant can make a healthy operating surplus. Business is built up on reputation and successful cafes that provide quality food in pleasant surroundings are well patronised. It may be appropriate to consider some form of ‘profit share’ based on open accounting. It will be necessary to commission a more detailed business appraisal at the next stage.

Clydach South Outline Cost Estimates (at January 2009 prices)

ITEM (Refer to Clydach South Concept Proposals) £ A GENERAL/MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS 1 Provision of utility services ITEM 35,000 2 Purchase of land: CEMEX site and riverside land 0.85ha 10,000 3 Visitor signage, information and interpretation ITEM 50,000 4 Vegetation management, including: Opening up views to river and views from above ironworks ITEM 5,000 Knotweed control ITEM 10,000 5 Provision of site furniture, including picnic tables, Cycle ITEM 35,000 racks, benches, security barrier, litter bins, additional trip rails 6 Miscellaneous footpath works including footpath ITEM 12,000 linking subway to ironworks Sub-total including 15% contingency £180,000 B REDEVELOPMENT OF EXISTING AMENITY FACILITIES 1 Relocation of campsite including: Relocation/rebuild of shower block ITEM 60,000 Installation of services ITEM 12,000 Security barrier ITEM 10,000 Planting: general tidying up and planting 1500m2 15,000 2 River edge treatments at new picnic area: Timber trip rail 100m 7,000 New footpaths and footbridges 2no. 60,000 Sub-total including 15% contingency 189,000 C REDEVELOPMENT OF FORMER CEMEX SITE 1 New car park on former CEMEX site: 3200m2

Break up existing hardstanding (for re-use as hardcore) 2000m2 7,000 Installation of new surfaces using local aggregates: Scalpings (inc. edgings) 1200m2 15,000 Nidagravel (wheelchair/cycle friendly gravel surface) 400m2 5,000 Planting: general tidying up and planting inc. trees 400m2 20,000 Security measures (barrier, camera) ITEM 18,000 Timber trip rail along river sections 70m 5,000 2 Refreshment kiosk with toilets ITEM 150,000 Sub-total including 15% contingency 253,000

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£ D DEVELOPMENT OF IRONWORKS 1 Viewing platform above Ironworks ITEM 50,000 2 Works to access to intermediate ironworks level ITEM 5,000 including railings 45m 7,000 3 New path to top of ironworks including provision for ramped 165m 10,000 disabled access Sub-total including 15% contingency 83,000 TOTAL ESTIMATED COST A,B,C,D inc. 15% contingency £705,000 The above cost estimates exclude: fees, consolidation works to SAM within CEMEX site, interpretation design, artworks, temporary campsite reopening works and mitigation screen planting to A465 widening. Professional fees @ 20% £141,000 Consolidation works to SAM retaining wall within former £150,000-£200,000 CEMEX site (say) TOTAL (excluding VAT) say £1,046,000

Clydach South Phasing Sequence

The following sequence is proposed in order to:

* maximise return from the site

* improve the area as a visitor attraction

* retain site security.

Item Item reference Cost estimate (see above) (see above) £ PHASE 1: PREPARATORY WORKS 1 Reopen existing campsite n/a n/a 2 Secure CEMEX and riverside sites A2 11,500 3 Investigate scope of works required to n/a 10,000 SAM within former CEMEX site and phase accordingly 4 Open CEMEX site as temporary car n/a minimal park PHASE 2: REDEVELOPMENT OF EXISTING FACILITES & CEMEX SITE 5 Install utility services A1 40,250 6 Construct finished car park including C1 80,500 landscape works on CEMEX site 7 Improve existing footpath network and A4, A6 31,000 undertake vegetation works and safety works adjacent to river

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Item Item reference Cost estimate (see above) (see above) £ 8 Install kiosk C2 172,500 9 Install signage and preliminary A3, A5 (installation 98,000 interpretation and site furniture ongoing for rest of works) 10 Relocate and improve picnic site with B1, B2 189,000 new footpaths across riverside; (A3, A5 continues) relocate camp site PHASE 3: DEVELOPMENT OF IRONWORKS 11 Construct new footpath to top of D3 11,500 ironworks with additional interpretation (A3, A5 continues) 12 Construct viewing platform above D1 57,500 ironworks 13 Install access at intermediate level to D2 13,800 ironworks 14 Undertake consolidation works to n/a £140-190,000 Ironworks

603 Access and Recreation

We have developed a package of proposals in the form of a series of loops that represent a ‘best route’ package which could be promoted and interpreted for different audiences. The ‘best routes’ suggested here are considered suitable for marketing to a wider visitor audience in addition to local residents.

As discussed the natural terrain of the Gorge results in many linear routes without convenient links. The need for circular loops came out strongly from our consultations. Further, figure of eight routes increase the opportunity for customising length and difficulty of routes.

Brynmawr Loop

A public footpath runs from the west end of NCR 46 just before the roundabout up onto the reclaimed tips and then eastwards to Cwm Nant Gam. A spur at the west end links to Brynmawr and to the Noble Square Industrial Estate. This path is partly within the National Park and partly outside (in Blaenau Gwent). It is currently unused and obstructed by fencing. However, it has the potential to offer an attractive route. The area of a former tip to the south of the NCR is developing into an attractive mosaic of heather, gorse, acid and calcareous grassland and small wetlands and is already very colourful. If a visitor gateway is provided at this end (see 605), a short circular walk, perhaps with some of it on a boardwalk and with interpretation would be a good introduction to moorland vegetation which is such an important part of the Welsh Valleys. Appropriate vegetation management through a careful grazing regime will be needed over the next few years. The upper part of this route provides better views of Clydach Gorge than on the NCR. For a longer walk this could then link to the path immediately to the south of the NCR which goes to Cwm Nant Gam and then back along the NCR towards Brynmawr.

The return route can use either the NCR (recommended) or, by crossing underneath the A465 (existing subway), via a narrow path adjacent to the A465 which passes the Hafod Arch. Although subject to continuous road noise and fumes, this route currently receives popular local use, probably due to it providing a complete loop walk with the NCR. Widening of the A465 would result in a worsening of these detractions. It is considered that this section may not be appropriate for marketing to a wider visitor audience, particularly once the proposed

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upper loop section is in place. However, it should be considered for signage and interpretation, particularly in view of the Hafod Arch restoration works.

Devil’s Bridge Loop

Devil’s Bridge is a small, peaceful yet spectacular location deep in Clydach Gorge, at one of few places where the footpath crosses the river. As a result, it affords striking views up and downstream and road noise is drowned out by a waterfall under the Bridge. It is considered that Devil’s Bridge is one of the key attractions of the Gorge. Although the built landscape infrastructure is currently shabby the area has great potential for improvement at minimal cost.

It is a very short walk downhill from the Drum & Monkey pub and could be an important attraction for visitors to the pub once improvements to steps and railings are carried out. From Devil’s Bridge there is a short but strenuous path up to the National Cycle Route meeting it not far from Gellifelen tunnels. Unfortunately Devil’s Bridge does not benefit from being located on any attractive loop walk (see 306 in relation to the road adjacent to the Drum & Monkey).

Following the NCR 46 eastwards an old tram road to the left leads back down to an attractive riverside walk with views of the waterfalls along the Afon Clydach. This route stops short of linking back to the Devil’s Bridge since the riverside walk ends when the terrain becomes too difficult. This means that, at present, there is no circular route possible along the NCR back down to Devil’s Bridge which means that it is only likely to be visited on very short out-and back sections of footpath which reduces its recreational benefit.

A case could be made for opening up this area with a short section of carefully engineered new path which would give a circular route from Devil’s Bridge containing a diverse variety of terrain and views. It would also allow walkers to see parts of the National Nature Reserve which are currently inaccessible. The pros and cons of this route, which we recognise goes through sensitive habitat areas, can be summarised as follows:

Pros Cons Would create a valuable link between Potentially high cost Clydach South and Devil’s Bridge

Would be an attractive and exciting route An Environmental and Ecological Impact Assessment and Sustainability Appraisal would be needed. However, with good design, walkers would not stray off the path. Could, however, generate impact from antisocial activity such as litter

Would give access to a beautiful part of the Safety although with good design this could reserve and to waterfalls that most people be mitigated. are unaware of

Would also provide a link from Clydach Unattractive route through housing at South to Devil’s Bridge, and one which, Clydach South. unusually for this area, is level.

Due to the sensitivity of the site and concerns from CCW it is considered at this stage that the route extension may not receive sufficient support to consider implementation in the short term. However, it is recommended that this decision be reconsidered in the context of definite road widening proposals being made available.

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Access from the Drum and Monkey. View east from Devil’s Bridge Need to improve with more sympathetic materials

On balance we believe a more detailed feasibility study into the potential to establish the route would be worthwhile.

Gellifelen Tunnel

This short section of tunnel owned by SUSTRANS is already open to public access. Formalising access with lighting and better surfacing would give an interesting diversion for the more adventurous. Further assessment would be required to assess structural safety, drainage, potential use of the tunnel by bats and the views of current user groups who enjoy experiencing the tunnel in darkness. Alternatively, low level lighting similar to that proposed in Shute Shelve Tunnel on the Strawberry Line (North Somerset) would be worth considering.

Clydach Ironworks Loop

The incline from Clydach Ironworks to Clydach South provides a short, but steep, link which, in the vicinity of the Community Centre, gives access to a children’s play area and a narrow twisting path back down to the Ironworks. The narrow path is in the same ownership as the CEMEX site although it is currently open and used. Purchase of this land would enable the path to be widened and improved : the gentler gradient here would, with suitable engineering, allow disabled access to a proposed viewing platform above the Scheduled Ancient Monument. It would also allow the potential development of access into the intermediate level of the Ironworks structure itself. Purchase of the CEMEX site and its development for visitor facilities, including parking, would permit the creation of a valuable short loop for visitors to the Ironworks who do not wish to stop for long.

Nant Dyar Loop

The steep gradient from Clydach South to the National Cycle Route is rewarded with an attractive woodland route along the Nant Dyar. There is the possibility of a figure of eight loop, crossing the steep, pretty stream and its tributary by rocks and a small bridge. There is scope for installing stepping stones to make the crossing easier and more fun. The enclosed woodland feels very distant from the A465 and the sound of the stream drowns out any road noise.

The route exits the woodland at the NCR by Clydach Old Station. Another short loop can be added by crossing the Nant Dyar further up the valley near Gilwern Quarry subject to the old stone bridge being repaired (or replaced with an

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attractive timber bridge) and the Public Right of Way re-opened (we understand that this could cost in excess of £70,000 to repair). This additional loop would provide attractive views upstream of the Nant Dyar, would pass by lime kilns, and further promote Clydach Old Station as a focus on the NCR.

The return route back down is accessed, dramatically, underneath the viaduct. Steep, narrow sections here need improvement. The section of footpath to the east of the Nant Dyar at Clydach South needs surfacing maintenance and would benefit from the removal of a derelict corrugated iron structure.

An alternative, and less steep, route to the NCR is possible along quiet rural lanes which can be accessed from Clydach South or by a footpath directly from Clydach Ironworks which exits at cottages along the lane.

Cross-Valley Cycle Loop

The National Cycle Route provides an ideal and safe cycling environment which, since its opening, is becoming increasingly popular with families. Options could be promoted for a returning shuttle bus, perhaps using the Francis Drake Company, an alternative private sector operator (similar to the service developed at Cwmcarn) or for mountain bike pick-up and drop- off points both of which would enable the NCR46 to be travelled in an easier downhill direction. Mountain Tours Mountain Bike Hire, based in Blaenavon, already organise pick-ups in the area and would be happy to extend this service into Clydach Gorge.

For those requiring a more challenging bike ride it is possible to use the NCR as part of a circular route which crosses onto to the north side of the Gorge. This route would start from Brynmawr travelling along the Hafod Road to Llanelly Church. The shorter option would be to return via Clydach Ironworks through Maesygwartha. This would be a good half way stopping point if visitor facilities were developed there, particularly if the cross A465 subway is improved with the road widening proposals. An alternative would be to go into Gilwern village and use the path up the Gorge under the canal embankment and along the former Llam-march Tramroad.

A longer route would still involve picking up the canal towpath at Gilwern and continuing to Llanfoist to join the NCR 46 for the return route. Either of these loops could also include a more strenuous section from Clydach Old Station up through Gilwern Quarry to Gilwern Hill, which returns by crossing to the Jolly Colliers at Waunllapria and back down to the NCR, or for a longer route could continue over to Blaenavon. The proposed extension of the rail link from Garn Lake to Brynmawr and cycle route (NCR 46) between Pontypool, Blaenavon and Brynmawr would strengthen links between the World Heritage Site and Clydach Gorge and provide an ideal link for cyclists wishing to return to Brynmawr.

We have summarised the characteristics of these trails in Table 6.1 overleaf.

In addition to these specific initiatives we suggest:

* it is important to work with the BBNP and WHS Wardens to promote routes of different lengths and difficulty throughout the Gorge : it would also be appropriate to give them names

* use Clydach South, Gilwern and Govilon as visitor ‘hubs’ in the short term and add Brynmawr as the A465 is upgraded

* develop other circular loops off the NCR46 and include in trail leaflets

* develop simple laybys as starting points for trails and devise routes so that they pass the pubs.

The key routes are illustrated on Plan 6.2 overleaf.

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TABLE 6.1 : EVALUATION OF PROPOSED TRAILS

Gateway Access/Parking Accessibility Special interest Extent of works and cost excluding signage, seating and interpretation Brynmawr Loop Brynmawr Parking is A short route with Excellent far views Basic currently gentle gradients. with increasing improvement permitted (upon Surface will be good natural history works to upper request) at the along NCR but upper interest over time section including Bridgend Inn. section to Cwm Nant boardwalk New car parks are Gam may be soft. sections and proposed as part However, could be surface of Brynmawr improved to increase improvements gateway its appeal as a short, £15k development dry well surfaced loop. Devil’s Bridge Loop Drum & Parking is Varies from gentle to Devil’s Bridge has Study required to Monkey available at strenuous. Some the potential to investigate or Clydach South steps and steep become a key walkway options Clydach and will be sections to connect visitor attraction. £150k South improved as part levels but these are Contrast between of the Clydach reasonably short. natural and South proposals. Longer flatter industrial heritage Restricted parking sections run along plus views, is currently the NCR and river. woodland, available at Drum The loop is waterfalls and the & Monkey. dependent upon the excitement of the construction of the Gorge illustrating proposed everything it has to cantilevered offer. The walkway. The very construction of a short return section cantilevered between the Drum & walkway is key to Monkey and Devil’s the completion of Bridge may be the loop but would attractive to pub also greatly visitors. enhance the overall visitor experience. Gellifelen Tunnel Brynmawr As above Even gradient but Industrial heritage Structural report or Drum & uneven surface. Its plus excitement of required before Monkey appeal to different the curving tunnel. cost of safety user groups will measures can be depend on its level of estimated. lighting and hence Surface the ‘adventure improvements £5k experience’. Walkers Lighting £30k have the option of adding this short loop to the Devil’s Bridge route.

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Gateway Access/Parking Accessibility Special interest Extent of works and cost excluding signage, seating and interpretation Clydach Ironworks Clydach Parking is A variety of short Industrial heritage, Refer to Clydach South currently loops catering for all access to river for South (602) available at abilities. The route dog walking, proposals for Clydach South improvements to the picnics etc. Access detailed costings and will be top of the Ironworks to children’s play improved as will allow challenging area. Suitable for a part of the disabled return quick break to overall access. Completion of ‘stretch the legs’ on proposals. this loop includes a a long journey steeper gradient. Nant Dyar Loops Clydach As above Steeper gradients Natural and cultural Bridge repair £75k. South follow the Nant Dyar heritage, peaceful May need to up the valley but has a woodland and consider cheaper good woodland path stream. A good alternative in surface. A good route route for those relation to the cost for those wishing an starting a long walk implications. attractive and direct from the Ironworks, Stepping stones route to the NCR and and perhaps linking across Nant Dyar Clydach Old Station, in with the Iron (at meeting of Gilwern Quarry and Mountain Trail. PROWs at beyond. tributary), general Reinstatement of surfacing access across the improvements bridge south of the particularly on east NCR would allow a side of Nant Dyar further short loop and before returning to the rubbish/structure Ironworks and, with removal £15k suitable interpretation, would create a focus on the NCR around the Old Station Cross Valley Cycle Link Gilwern, As for Challenging gradients Natural and cultural Route is suitable Brynmawr, gateways including some steep heritage especially for mountain bikes Clydach above and fast sections but along NCR, without immediate South plus includes a good breathtaking views, improvements but Llanfoist selection of options to wide variety of a budget of £35k and modify routes in landscapes from could be allocated Govilon response to weather enclosure of canal for localised options or energy levels. to exposed heather surface Great opportunity for moorland plateau improvements to an easier one way bridleway sections downhill option with shuttle bus return to Brynmawr from Clydach South or Llanfoist

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604 Interpretation And Education

Our key recommendations in relation to interpretation and education are as follows:

* review the recommendations contained in the Interpretation Plans for Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site, Brecon Beacons National Park, Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal and HERIAN Eastern Area Plan and establish a consolidated Interpretation Plan for Clydach Gorge

* work with partners, including Forgotten Landscapes, to agree the ‘core’ interpretive themes, develop and refine an innovative interpretive package including new media, prioritise and seek funding (over and above what is available from Forgotten Landscapes)

* consider applying for HLF Your Heritage or Heritage Grant funding including a Project Manager for 2 years

* focus interpretation on the ‘hubs’ of visitor activity including:

(a) the key communities comprising Gilwern, Govilon and Brynmawr

(b) the key cultural heritage sites including Govilon Wharf, Gilwern Wharf, Clydach Ironworks and the other cultural heritage sites along the Gorge together with Llanelly Church and Brynmawr Museum (with links to Nantyglo). There are opportunities to introduce features such as a section of tram road and railroad next to one of the key sites eg. Clydach Limeworks as well as sculpture posts, line drawings, listening posts etc

(d) NCR46 and the key cultural heritage sites along its length

(e) the key natural heritage sites along the Gorge including the caves and Afon Clydach

* develop links with the St Peter’s World Heritage Centre and Brynmawr Museum

* consider developing an oral history project to capture peoples memories and photographs of Clydach Gorge, the industrial features, the railway, the landscape (particularly in the severe weather of the past) and the communities from times past

* use the pubs as information and interpretation points

* work with HERIAN to establish training programmes to develop local guides and ‘ambassadors’

* build on, and expand, the existing guided walks programmes for Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent, Brecon Beacons National Park and the World Heritage Site focusing on the Gorge (and include Clydach Gorge in nearby Walking Festivals eg. Crickhowell)

* work with Mulberry House Environmental Education Centre to develop interactive educational resources for Clydach Gorge focused on the requirements of the National Curriculum and promote the use of the Gorge by local and visiting schools

* develop additional educational resource material as appropriate to widen the areas of study of the Gorge

* develop outreach programmes taking the story of Clydach Gorge into the communities including involving community artists

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* develop a Clydach Gorge website and design an appropriate logo.

This range of initiatives reflects the thinking contained in the various Interpretation Plans (as described in Appendix C) and the recommendations of the Audience Development and Access Plan prepared for the Forgotten Landscapes Partnership project. Indeed, Forgotten Landscapes has included specific funding for some aspects of interpretation in Clydach Gorge. It is important that a true partnership approach is adopted (perhaps through a series of workshops involving all the agencies) so that an integrated and prioritised programme can be agreed which will enable additional funding to be sought. Alternatively, a summary Interpretation Plan should be commissioned. It will be important to agree some design principles so the concentration of interpretation in the Gorge whether it be implemented by SUSTRANS, British Waterways, the World Heritage Site, National Park or the local authorities is seen to be part of a family with complementary interpretive themes and storylines.

605 The Development Of Visitor Gateways

Our analysis in Section 4 has identified a series of proposals which we summarise below:

A465 west of Abergavenny

Develop proposals for appropriate gateway feature to be located in the layby on the westbound carriageway west of Abergavenny in the short term. This could either be a shelter form or a long upright panel. It must be supported by advance white on brown signage.

Llanfoist

Support Community Heritage Initiative. Incorporate orientation to WHS and the canal but it is not a good location for wider gateway provision.

Govilon Wharf

Already a mini gateway to WHS and canal. There is potential to build a more extensive facility into the Canal Corridor Regeneration Initiative. There should also be interpretation related to the canal and NCR46 which makes a direct link between the railway, the canal and Clydach Gorge.

King George V Playing Fields/Sites in vicinity of Gilwern Roundabout

Requires a feasibility study to consider the potential of various sites in the vicinity of Gilwern roundabout including the proposed project at Glanbaiden. Any development is likely to be private sector led.

Gilwern Village

White on brown signage eastbound and westbound on the A465 could encourage visitors to use the range of existing services available in Gilwern. This could be done at the earliest opportunity and would inevitably benefit the village economy.

Brynmawr Roundabout

Potential to become a major gateway to Valleys Regional Park, the World Heritage Site and Brecon Beacons National Park and provide essential visitor services to travellers along the A465. However, any development is currently blighted by uncertainty over the extent and timing of the proposed dualling. See initial concept proposals Plan 6.3 overleaf.

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Important that the principle is built into the Local Development Plan. The concept should be tested by a feasibility study.

Brynmawr has the advantage of being within the Heads of the Valleys/EU Convergence area offering significant financial opportunities once the dualling proposals are announced. Brynmawr being at the head of the Ebbw Fach also has strong community partnerships which could, potentially, become involved in the gateway project.

Existing laybys on the A465 west of Brynmawr

Potential to erect visitor information/orientation in both the eastbound and westbound ‘summit’ laybys in the short term providing visitor information/orientation for Valleys Regional Park, Brecon Beacons National Park and World Heritage Site. This would need to be moved and stored during the upgrading of the road. Alternatively, the issue should be considered as the road design evolves.

606 Physical Enhancements

If the potential of the Gorge is to be realised in terms of both conservation and visitor enjoyment there is a range of physical works which need to be given priority. These can be divided into access, industrial archaeology and landscape.

Access

We have identified a range of access improvements including:

* repair or replacement of Nant Dyar bridge above Clydach Old Station or consider cheaper alternative solution and/or route

* stepping stones across the Nant Dyar on the footpath between Clydach South and Old Station plus improvements to footpath and old corrugated iron building

* surface through Gellifelen tunnel and investigation into possible lighting provision

* cantilevered walkway connecting riverside footpath between Clydach South and Devil’s Bridge or, if perceived too sensitive after discussions with CCW, develop ‘there and back’ trail

* new footpath links, bridge across the Nant Dyar and Afon Clydach as part of Clydach South scheme

* new car park, picnic site, camping and caravan site and viewing platform overlooking Clydach Ironworks

* improvements to route between the Drum and Monkey and Devil’s Bridge including step improvements and replacement of existing galvanised fencing along footpath and bridge

* maintenance of the very steep footpath link between Devil’s Bridge and NCR46.

All the routes recommended for promotion need to be reviewed, upgraded as appropriate and then maintained to a high standard. Local Authorities have been given additional funds for the next few years to implement work highlighted in their Rights of Way Improvement Plans. The eastern section of the National Park, for example, has an additional £40,000 per annum to spend on route improvements.

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Industrial archaeology

One of the key recommendations of the Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust in its Historic Landscape Characterisation Study was that a significant body of archaeological research should be carried out as a precursor to consolidation works of the myriad of cultural heritage features in the Gorge. A detailed survey programme needs to be developed with Cadw implemented by the Trust or similar body. This will provide the basis for funding bids. The requirement at some sites is fairly obvious eg. several lime kilns need regular vegetation removal and stabilisation of stonework. To secure unscheduled sites funding from other agencies such as the Heritage Lottery Fund may be needed.

Landscape

In addition to developing landscape schemes in association with our proposals at Clydach South and Brynmawr, in particular, a comprehensive programme of removal of dumping and other eyesores along rights of way is needed. Where private land is concerned either enforcement or grant aid may be required. Where the problem is on public land e.g. the sewage overflow near the Hafod Arch pressure should be directed to the relevant agency to resolve the problem. Less obvious enhancements such as the screening of some features and the opening up of viewpoints needs to be considered. Invasive exotics such as Japanese knotweed need to be eradicated immediately they are recorded. Knotweed is a problem throughout the Valleys and needs to be tackled systematically.

607 Associated Tourism Infrastructure

A key outcome of the project is to bring economic benefit to the communities associated with Clydach Gorge. It is important that:

* through white on brown signage visitors will be encouraged to use the facilities in Llanfoist (en route over the Blorenge to Blaenavon), Govilon (associated with the canal), Gilwern, Clydach South and Brynmawr

* our proposals at Clydach South will generate a new SME to operate the café, toilets and campsite (plus potential links to existing mountain bike hire operators)

* our circular walks, and loops off NCR46, will bring trade to village pubs (which need to be sensitive to the requirements of walkers, cyclists and riders)

* the proposed Clydach Gorge guided walks programme linked to walking festivals can start and finish at pubs and stimulate increased trade

* the businesses in Gilwern and Brynmawr will particularly benefit from white on brown tourism signage and the proposed circular walking and cycling routes

* the major ‘hub’ in the vicinity of Brynmawr roundabout will bring significant employment opportunities and wider economic benefit once it can be promoted and developed

* as the image and profile of the area increases accommodation providers (bed and breakfast and self catering) will be established. It is important to encourage high quality provision and customer service focused on the needs of the guests (walkers, cyclists, riders etc) and to stimulate accreditation (there are opportunities for training for management and staff)

* local people may be encouraged to become tour guides providing regular guided walks, specialist activities like bat and bird events, caving tours etc and build up a regular and sustainable business.

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The project can generate economic development and it will be important for business support to be built into the initiative so local businesses can be made aware of the opportunities and take advantage of grants for signage, website promotion and the like. Issues like enhanced hours of opening, customer care/service and quality food, drink and accommodation will bring their rewards.

It will be important to gather market intelligence to prove the economic benefits that are derived from the initiative. The STEAM data gives an indication of increased levels of tourism, visitor spend and the number of jobs generated. It is possible to augment this with hard data from user counters along specific well used footpaths and the NCR46. This, coupled with questionnaire surveys and face to face interviews with tourism businesses and users (pubs, accommodation providers, village shops etc) as is being undertaken to establish economic baseline intelligence on the Wales Coastal Footpath can provide hard data to prove the economic value of the capital investment. We would recommend that this is instigated as part of the project.

608 Mechanism Of Delivery

We have already identified that for significant improvements to be made to Clydach Gorge there needs to be a strong partnership including the local authorities, WHS, BBNP, VRP and the private and voluntary sectors. Too often in the past Clydach Gorge has, for various reasons, been ‘on the edge’ of authorities and programmes and has been forgotten or given lower priority.

Forgotten Landscapes has shown that a partnership approach can lever over £2m and British Waterways have recently brought together a partnership in relation to the regeneration of the Canal Corridor. There is some money available for Clydach Gorge under The Forgotten Landscapes but this will not support the land acquisition and physical enhancements identified. Nevertheless, the existing partners could form the basis for the establishment of a Clydach Gorge Partnership.

This needs to include:

* Monmouthshire County Council

* Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site

* Torfaen County Borough Council

* Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council

* Brecon Beacons National Park Authority

* Valleys Regional Park

* Countryside Council for Wales

* Cadw

* SUSTRANS

* British Waterways

* The Beaufort Estate

* representatives of the Community Councils.

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It will be difficult to take the project forward, and generate appropriate funding, without the need for dedicated staff time. Whether this is a reallocation of existing resources (including consultant support) or the appointment of a Project Officer will be subject to the availability of funding. Small contributions from 5/6 partners could, however, pay for an officer for say 3 – 5 years which is probably the length of time required.

The key partners in relation to the Gorge, however, are Blaenau Gwent, the National Park, SUSTRANS, CCW, Cadw and the Community Councils (including Brynmawr Town Council). There is also a need to work closely with Highway Wales from the beginning.

All funders expect to see strong evidence of community support and engaging the Gorge communities will need to be a key part of the project. This can be done through the Community Council’s but also by establishing drop in sessions, talks and discussion groups using the community halls and pubs to reach and involve people. The pubs and accommodation providers are particularly important. Everyone we have spoken to wants to ‘see things happen’ but it will need time and effort and, ideally, dedicated staff resources in the form of a Project Officer.

There appears to be significant member support at Community and County Council level but implementation will undoubtedly require on-going political support which comes from partnership working.

609 Action Plan

Having described our proposals we have prepared an Action Plan which has sought to identify all the key proposals and to propose:

* the priority : high, medium or low which is primarily related to timescale

* indicative budget required (which will need to be refined)

* possible funding sources

* lead partner

* next steps.

This should be treated as a working document and regularly monitored and refined by the Project Steering Group.

610 Conclusion

In this section we have set out our key proposals which have come out of our analysis. We now move on to consider the next steps.

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CLYDACH GORGE : ACTION PLAN SHEET 1

REF PROJECT DESCRIPTION PRIORITY INDICATIVE COST/ POSSIBLE LEAD PARTNER NEXT STEPS H M L RESOURCES FUNDING REQUIRED SOURCES Clydach South CS1 Purchase of CEMEX site and adjacent paddock H 10,000 MCC MCC Complete negotiations DE&T Agree price Obtain approval to purchase

CS2 Commission detailed feasibility/business review H 7,500 MCC MCC Commission Feasibility/Business Plan for for the Clydach South complex DE&T the Clydach South complex

CS3 Work up design proposals for the overall site H 15,000 MCC MCC Refine design brief including new toilet block/café, including visitor DE&T Commission consultants to develop information, orientation and interpretation, car EU Convergence scheme to refine costs park, picnic site, caravan/campsite and Apply for grants to implement associated landscaping

CS4 Undertake review of Ironworks to establish next H 10,000 MCC MCC Undertake further survey to determine phase of consolidation including public access to DE&T next phase of consolidation viewing platform Cadw Prepare design proposals for viewing platform etc Apply for grants to implement

CS5 Redevelopment of the amenity facilities, CEMEX H 700,000 MCC MCC Implement main proposals site and access to Clydach Ironworks DE&T EU Convergence RDP

CS6 Undertake next phase of consolidation of M 140-190,000 MCC MCC Carry out next phase of consolidation Clydach Ironworks (subject to CS3) DE&T works under supervision Cadw

Access and Recreation AR1 Review the Brynmawr Route, undertake H 220,000 Blaenau Gwent Blaenau Gwent Carry out detailed survey with BBNP restoration of Hafod Arch and environmental EU Convergence CBC wardens improvements, introduce waymarking and Cadw BBNPA Agree work/specification with Cadw interpretation BBNP Obtain grants ROW Implement and waymark Improvement Plan

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CLYDACH GORGE : ACTION PLAN SHEET 2

REF PROJECT DESCRIPTION PRIORITY INDICATIVE COST/ POSSIBLE LEAD PARTNER NEXT STEPS H M L RESOURCES FUNDING REQUIRED SOURCES AR2 Review Devil’s Bridge link, develop scheme for M 150,000 Blaenau Gwent MCC Carry out detailed survey approval, seek funding and implement. MCC BBNP Commission Feasibility Study into Requires feasibility study into new path along EU Convergence footpath link river. May need alternative approach subject to DE&T Undertake detailed consultations with further discussions ROW CCW including Sustainability Appraisal Improvement Obtain approvals and funding Plan Implement and waymark

AR3 Investigate potential to develop trail through M 35,000 MCC MCC Commission design feasibility including Gellifelen Tunnel and implement DE&T lighting EU Convergence Obtain all necessary approvals Implement and waymark

AR4 Design and implement Clydach South loop H See CS5 MCC MCC Implement as part of overall Clydach DE&T South proposals and waymark EU Convergence RDP

AR5 Design and develop Nant Dyar loop. H 90,000 MCC MCC Carry out detailed survey Review alternatives to expensive repair of ROW BBNPA Agree proposals (including possible historic bridge link Improvement bridge repair) Plan Obtain approvals and funds Implement and waymark

AR6 Implement Cross Valley Cycle Loop including H 35,000 MCC MCC Carry out detailed survey options ROW BBNPA Agree routes Improvement Obtain approval to signage Plan Implement DE&T

AR7 Develop trail leaflet with all the trails included H 10,000 MCC MCC Agree routes and context with high quality maps and interpretation. ROW BBNPA Write scripts Improvement Commission illustrator Create as pack of A5 full colour leaflets in plastic Plan Design and implement folder. 10,000 no. print run DE&T EU Convergence

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CLYDACH GORGE : ACTION PLAN SHEET 3

REF PROJECT DESCRIPTION PRIORITY INDICATIVE COST/ POSSIBLE LEAD PARTNER NEXT STEPS H M L RESOURCES FUNDING REQUIRED SOURCES Interpretation and Education IE1 Commission Summary Interpretation Plan H 5,000 MCC MCC Write brief integrating recommendations of all other plans RDP Commission (working in partnership with (including Forgotten Landscapes) creating a other agencies) focused plan, recommendations and cost plan Use to seek funding from variety of sources

IE2 Use Interpretation Plan to seek HLF funding H 3,000 MCC MCC Commission appropriate person to write (including a Project Officer) based on RDP HLF bid Interpretation Plan Submit the findings of Interpretation Plan

IE3 Implement proposals once funding in place H 200,000 MCC MCC Implement once funding in place including oral history project, guided walks HLF programme, educational resources and use of RDP pubs/community halls as Forgotten information/interpretation points Landscapes

IE4 Work with HERIAN (DE&T Regeneration) to H NBA HERIAN MCC Liaise with HERIAN (DE&T establish links with communities to train local (DE&T HERIAN Regeneration) people as guides and ‘ambassadors’ Regeneration) (DE&T Develop programme of training in Regeneration) association with Llanelly Community Council and Brynmawr Town Council

IE5 Develop links with Mulberry House H Staff time Staff time MCC Liaise with Mulberry House to devise Environmental Education Centre to maximise HERIAN project the potential of their interactive educational (DE&T Promote and market to local schools resources for general use by schools Regeneration)

Gateways G1 Establish gateway orientation feature in H 8,000 MCC MCC Agree principle with Highways Wales westbound layby on A465 west of Abergavenny DE&T Agree context with partners (including advance warning signs) WHS Commission and implement BBNP VRP

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CLYDACH GORGE : ACTION PLAN SHEET 4

REF PROJECT DESCRIPTION PRIORITY INDICATIVE COST/ POSSIBLE LEAD PARTNER NEXT STEPS H M L RESOURCES FUNDING REQUIRED SOURCES G2 Establish gateway orientation at Llanfoist Village M/L 2,500 MCC MCC Agree principle Hall BW Agree content and funding WHS Commission and implement Llanfoist Community Council

G3 Establish gateway orientation at Govilon Wharf M 5,000 MCC BW Agree principle BW Agree content and funding WHS Commission and implement

G4 Undertake Feasibility Study into potential H 10,000 Highways Wales MCC Agree brief ‘gateway’ facilities in the vicinity of Gilwern DE&T Commission consultants to review range roundabout Visit Wales of options and prepare Outline Business Plan for each with recommendations on the way forward

G5 Establish ‘gateway’ facility at Clydach South H as per CS5 as per CS5 MCC Key plank in strategy See CS2/3/5

G6 Establish ‘gateway’ facility in vicinity of M 25,000 Highway Wales Blaenau Gwent Major opportunity once road alignment Brynmawr Roundabout : initial stage is DE&T CBC and timing determined Feasibility Study/Business Plan Visit Wales Write brief Commission consultants

G7 Establish visitor information/orientation units on H 10,000 Highway Wales Blaenau Gwent Agree principle with Highways Wales both carriageways of A465 in ‘laybys’ at summit DE&T CBC Agree content with partners west of Brynmawr (require advance signage) Visit Wales Commission and implement Valleys Regional Park WHS BBNP

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CLYDACH GORGE : ACTION PLAN SHEET 5

REF PROJECT DESCRIPTION PRIORITY INDICATIVE COST/ POSSIBLE LEAD PARTNER NEXT STEPS H M L RESOURCES FUNDING REQUIRED SOURCES Physical Enhancement PE1 Undertake access improvements related to H/M 250,000 MCC MCC Devise proposals in partnership with specific routes as described in report ROW BBNP wardens Improvement Seek funding Plan Design and implement BBNP DE&T

PE2 Commission Conservation Survey of all H 25,000 MCC MCC Obtain agreement of landowner industrial monuments within the Gorge to Cadw Define brief (following up previous work establish conservation requirements, ‘structures CEDS undertaken by Glamorgan Gwent at risk’ and priorities Landowner Archaeological Trust) DE&T Seek funding Commission work

PE3 Define and undertake programme of H/M 25,000 MCC MCC Important to work with BBNP wardens environmental improvements to Gorge including CCW and contractors to clear dumping, carry removal of dumping, landscape improvements DE&T out landscape improvements and and landscape management etc landscape management to enhance overall visual impression of the Gorge

Associated Tourism Infrastructure ATI1 Work with Highways Wales to introduce white on H 20,000 Highway Wales MCC Identify requirements brown signage to ‘gateway’ facilities including DE&T Negotiate with Highways Wales Llanfoist, Govilon, Gilwern, Clydach South and Visit Wales Seek funding Brynmawr Implement

ATI2 Identify opportunities to provide business H TBA MCC Economic MCC Identify businesses support and training for businesses to maximise Development Establish needs and opportunities the potential of this project. adventa Access funding and other support

Consider establishment of Clydach Business Association

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CLYDACH GORGE : ACTION PLAN SHEET 6

REF PROJECT DESCRIPTION PRIORITY INDICATIVE COST/ POSSIBLE LEAD PARTNER NEXT STEPS H M L RESOURCES FUNDING REQUIRED SOURCES ATI3 Establish Clydach Gorge website as key H 10,000 MCC MCC Agree principle and who should develop promotional tool DE&T and manage Visit Wales Establish brief Commission specialist to produce

ATI4 Prepare Tourism Marketing Strategy for Clydach M 7,500 MCC MCC Agree brief Gorge DE&T Commission consultants Visit Wales Seek funding to implement proposals

General G1 Establish Mechanism for Delivery : Steering H Staff resources N/A MCC Agree principle Group of key agencies Establish Terms of Reference Launch Steering Group

G2 Appoint Project Officer to manage and oversee H 35,000 pa Partners MCC Agree principle and funding the project DE&T Agree Job Description and administrative arrangements Advertise and appoint

Abbreviations

MCC Monmouthshire County Council CEDS Community Economic Development Scheme (Monmouthshire County Council) DE&T Department of Economy and Transport HLF Heritage Lottery Fund Cadw Historic Environment Service for Welsh Assembly Government BBNP Brecon Beacons National Park Authority EU Convergence European Objective 1 programme BW British Waterways ROW National Park Authority Rights of Way Improvement Plan WHS Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site RDP Rural Development Programme

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7. CONCLUSIONS AND NEXT STEPS

701 Conclusion

This report reflects the findings from our appraisal and analysis of the current situation and our extensive consultations (including the Community Councils). It highlights the outstanding qualities of the Gorge and the strong desire of everyone we have spoken to (and particularly local people) to maximise its undoubted potential in sustainable tourism terms for walking, cycling and riding and, by so doing, to raise its image and profile and help revitalise and regenerate the local economy.

It has the added potential to provide essential visitor services for travellers on the A465 which can also be used to provide visitor information and orientation on Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site, Brecon Beacons National Park and Valleys Regional Park. This will not only provide jobs on site but also stimulate wider economic benefit to the special landscapes.

702 Next Steps

The report and Action Plan provides a framework for the way forward. The primary objective is to use the report to make the case to secure funding to enable the recommendations to be implemented. There is an urgent need to:

* establish a mechanism for delivery. It would be sensible to use the existing Steering Group and strengthen it with representatives of other bodies who have an interest and involvement in Clydach Gorge. There needs to be a project champion to drive the initiative forward which should be Monmouthshire Countryside but it is important to have dedicated staff resources in the form of a Project Officer

* to integrate proposals into coherent packages and make applications for funding

* secure the CEMEX site (and ideally the paddock) which will consolidate the County Council’s landholding and allow the picnic area and campsite to be relocated and focused around Clydach Ironworks

* work up the design proposals for Clydach South to enable restoration of the site, advanced landscaping and the development of the toilet block/café and picnic area and campsite

* commission a Feasibility Study and Business Plan into the potential to establish visitor services at Clydach South including toilet block, café, campsite, picnic and play area associated with Clydach Ironworks

* negotiate with Highways Wales to obtain agreement to erect white on brown tourism signage to encourage travellers to use the service facilities in Gilwern and Brynmawr

* negotiate with Highways Wales to obtain agreement to develop a visitor orientation point in the layby on the A465 between Abergavenny and Gilwern serving Clydach Gorge, Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site, Brecon Beacons National Park and Valleys Regional Park

* work closely with the National Park wardens to focus investment and upgrading of the rights of way network in Clydach Gorge and to develop and waymark the six routes and trails described in the report supported by high quality trail leaflets

* commission a summary Interpretation Plan for Clydach Gorge reflecting and consolidating the themes and recommendations of the other Interpretive Plans (including Forgotten Landscapes) which will clarify the priorities and allow additional funding bids to be prepared

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* investigate funding to enable further survey work to be undertaken in relation to the industrial archaeological structures and features in the Gorge

* commission a Tourism Marketing Strategy to provide a focused and integrated approach to promoting and marketing Clydach Gorge taking into account the marketing already taking place in relation to the other protected landscapes

* commission a Feasibility Study into the potential to establish a major visitor services hub in the vicinity of the Brynmawr Roundabout with links back into Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site.

The potential is enormous but there is much to do to maximise the opportunities that so clearly exist. We trust this report provides a clear vision, proposals and a framework which enables the project to move forward.

We commend this Final Report to you.

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Appendices

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Appendix A

List of Consultees

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APPENDIX A : LIST OF CONSULTEES

Colette Bosley Principal Landscape and Countryside Officer (Countryside Service) Monmouthshire County Council

Jon Townend Consultant Landscape Architect Monmouthshire County Council

Matthew Lewis Countryside Manager Monmouthshire County Council

Ruth Nicholson Visitor Services Manager Brecon Beacons National Park

Nicola Smith Tourism Officer Monmouthshire County Council

Mark Lloyd Tourism Development Officer Monmouthshire County Council

Andrew Osborne Project Co-ordinator Valleys Regional Park Department of Economy and Transport. Welsh Assembly Government

Berry Coffman Valleys Regional Park Coordinator Valleys Regional Park

Gareth Phillips Acting Head of Countryside Torfaen County Borough Council

Steve Rogers Project Planning Officer Forgotten Landscapes

Clare Parsons Community Development Officer Brecon Beacons National Park

Lyn Elias Mayor Brynmawr Town Council

Angela Davies Clerk Brynmawr Town Council

Lynda Robinson Clerk Llanelly Community Council

Chris Engels Regeneration Project Officer Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council

John Rogers World Heritage Site Officer Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site

Cath Thomas Head of Environmental Regeneration Torfaen County Borough Council

Frank Olding Heritage Officer Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council

Richard Tyler Sustainable Tourism Officer Brecon Beacons National Park

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Alan Ward Eastern Area Manager Brecon Beacons National Park Authority

Clive Williams Area Warden Brecon Beacons National Park Authority

Richard Preece Regional Reserves Manager Countryside Council for Wales

Andrew Marvel Chief Executive Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust

Gwyn Smith Sustrans

Caroline Matthews Projects Officer Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council

Richard Gledhill Warden Hillston Park Outdoor Centre

Alvin Nichols Heritage Warden Torfaen County Borough Council

Timothy Dorken Environmental Advisor Welsh Assembly Government

Suzanna Meekins Interpretation Officer Brecon Beacons National Park

Ruth Taylor Davies Interpretive Coordinator HERIAN

Pam Griffiths External Funding Officer British Waterways

Sara Jones Public Affairs and Development Manager British Waterways

David Morgan Canal Corridor Project Officer British Waterways

Katie Gates Informal Recreation Project Coordinator Torfaen County Borough Council

Councillor Eric Saxon Member for Llanfoist Fawr Monmouthshire County Council

Councillor Simon Member for Llanelly Hill Howarth Monmouthshire County Council

Councillor Giles Member for Llanelly Hill Howard Monmouthshire County Council

Councillor Christine Member for Llanwenarth Ultra Walby Monmouthshire County Council

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Vivienne Compton Centre Director Mulberry House Environmental Education Centre

Steve Tyrell Course Tutor Mulberry House Environmental Education Centre

Francis Baines Secretary Govilon Heritage

Bob Vaughan Chair Govilon Heritage

Eileen Shackell Committee Govilon Heritage

Lynda Healey Development Plans Manager Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council

Richard Lewis Rural Community Action Officer adventa

Rick Longford Economic Development Officer Monmouthshire County Council

Melanie Mercer Clerk Llanfoist Community Council

Inspector Fran Richley Neighbourhood Inspector Abergavenny Police Station Gwent Police

Alan Chase Project Engineer New Roads Unit Welsh Assembly Government

Rebecca Robinson National Cycle Network Project Officer Sustrans Cymru

Martin McGrath Commoner Councillor Llanelly Community Council

Sian McGrath Head Teacher Llanover Primary School

Hilary Lipscombe Old Rectory Barn Maesygwartha

Brynmawr Town Council

Llanfoist Community Council

Llanelly Community Council

Bryn y Cwm Area Forum

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Appendix B

Bibliography

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APPENDIX B : BIBLIOGRAPHY

A465 Abergavenny to Hirwuan Dualling Environmental Statement. Vol 2.4 Cultural Heritage. Babtie 1998 (for Welsh Office Highways Directorate)

A465 Heads of the Valleys Landscape Strategy (3 vols) White Young Green 2007

A465 preliminary road widening proposals Dwg Nos. BT1015586/WD/185 & 186 Babtie

A465 Traffic Flow data for A465 Gilwern and Brynmawr 2005–2008 Transport Wales

Achieving our Potential : A Tourism Strategy for Wales (2006 – 2013) Wales Tourist Board

Action Plan : Consultation Draft Valleys Regional Park

Annual Daily Average Cycle Flow Reports for Llanfoist and Govilon 2007 & 2008 SUSTRANS

Best Foot Forward : Walking Strategy for Wales Wales Tourist Board

Blaenavon Industrial Landscape Access and Heritage Study (2 vols) Gillespies, with Jon van Laun Associates Industrial Archaeologists, Martyn Peters Consulting and Structural Engineer, Pryce Consultant Ecologists 2000

Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site Visitor Experience and Interpretation Plan Red Kite Environment Touchwood Heritage Management Consultants 2007

Blaenavon Walks Pack Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site

CCW Protected Sites and Landscapes website www.ccw.gov.uk

Clydach Gorge Heritage Trails Llanelly Community Council

Cordell Country Tours Torfaen County Borough Council

Cultural Tourism Strategy 2000 Wales Tourism Board

Cwm Clydach National Nature Reserve (2007) Countryside Council for Wales

Cwm Clydach Site of Special Scientific Interest: Your special site and its future Countryside Council for Wales

Eastern Area Interpretive Action Plan (May 2005) HERIAN

Folklore of Bleanau Gwent Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council

Clydach Gorge Countryside Recreation Visitor Gateways Page Number 98 Volume II Final Report and Technical Appendices (March 2009)

Forgotten Landscapes : An Overview Forgotten Landscapes : Landscape Partnership Scheme

Fresh Directions : Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan 2004 – 2008 Monmouthshire County Council

Get lost in the Wye Valley and Vale of Usk : Visitor Guide 2008 VisitWyeValley.com

Govilon Heritage Trails Govilon Heritage

Guided walks and events 2008 Brecon Beacons National Park

Historic Landscape Characterisation Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust 2004

‘How Green are my Valleys?’– The Post-Industrial Recreational Greenspace Luke Maggs, Countryside Council for Wales, in Countryside Recreation Vol 16 No. 1 Spring 2008 Countryside Recreation Network

In the footsteps of the Ironmasters Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council

Industrial Archaeology in Blaenau Gwent John van Laun

Interpretive Plan for the South East Wales Industrial Heritage Initiative (March 2003) HERIAN

Interpretation Plan 2007 – 2010 Brecon Beacons National Park Authority

Landscape Character Study Forgotten Landscape Partnership 2008

Local History & Heritage/Scheduled Ancient Monuments website www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk

Loops and Links Action Plan Torfaen County Borough Council 2007

Managing Change Together : Management Plan 2009 – 2014 Brecon Beacons National Park

Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal : Interpretation Plan (March 2004) British Waterways

Monmouthshire Area Guide Western Mail

Monmouthshire LANDMAP: Visual and Sensory Sensitivity Study White Consultants for Monmouthshire County Council 2006

Mountain Tours website www.chunkofwales.co.uk

Moving Up A Gear : Cycling Strategy for Wales Wales Tourist Board

One Wales : A Progressive Agenda for the Government of Wales Welsh Assembly Government

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Portraits of the Past Chris Barber and Michael Blackmore 2001

Rights of Way Improvement Plan 2007 Brecon Beacons National Park

Saddling Up For Success : Riding Strategy for Wales Wales Tourist Board

South East Wales Strategic Tourism Framework (2008) Capital Region Tourism

STEAM Report 2007 Monmouthshire County Council

Sustainable Tourism Strategy Brecon Beacons National Park

Sustainable Tourism Strategy Visit Wales

The Clydach Gorge : Industrial archaeology trails in the south east of Brecon Beacons National Park (1989) Brecon Beacons National Park

Time For Action : Activity Tourism Strategy for Wales Wales Tourism Board

Torfaen Trail Torfaen County Borough Council

Vision and Strategic Framework Valleys Regional Park

Visitor Guide 2008 Brecon Beacons National Park

Wales Spatial Plan ‘People Places Futures’ Welsh Assembly Government

Welsh Historic Monuments Record Form, Clydach Ironworks CADW

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Appendix C

Strategic Context

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APPENDIX C : STRATEGIC CONTEXT

C1 One Wales : A Progressive Agenda For The Government Of Wales

One Wales is the agreement document between Labour and Plaid Cymru which delivers a progressive programme for Government over this Assembly term. It states that tourism should be developed across Wales on a regional basis in order to make the most of local resources and assets. The key tourism aims are to:

* make strategic investment in facilities and employee skills

* support the tourism industry as the market moves increasingly towards shorter and activity based breaks.

Wales Spatial Plan ‘People Places Futures’

The Spatial Plan forms one of the high level strategic guidance building blocks for the Welsh Assembly Government. Specifically the Wales Spatial Plan:

* provides a framework for collaborative action between the Welsh Assembly Government and its partners to achieve the priorities it sets out nationally and regionally

* influences the location of expenditure by the Assembly Government and its agencies

* influences the mix and balance of public sector delivery agencies’ programmes in different areas

* sets the context for local and community planning

* provides the evidence base for the public, private and voluntary sectors to develop policy and action.

At a national level Visit Wales have prepared a series of strategies which provide focus and direction for tourism in Wales over the next few years. These include:

‘Achieving Our Potential’ : A Tourism Strategy For Wales (2006 - 2013)

The mid term review of Achieving our Potential, the national tourism strategy for Wales, has set five strategic challenges for developing tourism in Wales. These are:

* distinctive branding : the visibility and competitive appeal of Wales as a holiday destination must continue to increase representing the quality of the Wales tourism product. A strong brand identity must be reinforced at all levels of the industry to enable Wales to increase its market share of international and UK visitors

* higher quality : Wales will be a high quality destination that offers a distinctive experiences throughout the year. There will be a close match between the promise made to visitors and the experience delivered. Businesses will provide quality products and the changing needs / expectations of visitors will be exceeded. Product investment and innovative ways of working will enable the industry to capture growth markets

* easier access : Wales’ tourism products will be easily accessible to the key markets via online visibility and other more traditional channels. The information provided to potential visitors will be of high quality reflecting the brand positioning of Wales. A quality tourism experience will be accessible to all

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* better skills : the tourism industry will offer year round employment with good career prospects and equal opportunities for training and development

* stronger partnerships : tourism in Wales will be competitive, sustainable and based on a distinctive Welsh offer. Intervention from the public sector will be targeted at operators or products that meet the needs of the future growth markets. All tourism stakeholders will work together to ensure appropriate coordinated action at national, regional and local level.

Sustainable Tourism Action Plan

This plan identifies key opportunities for Visit Wales to develop and market Wales as a ‘Sustainable Destination’.

Economic impact and quality of tourism in Wales

* development / investment : ensure that future investment schemes adopt truly sustainable principles and criteria for investment that maximise sustainable outcomes

To protect and enhance the built and natural environment

* environmental management of tourism : explore opportunities for developing projects to support the expansion and take up of renewable energy in the tourism sector

* environmental enhancement : encourage the development and promotion of ecotourism

* biodiversity : develop and encourage projects which improve / promote biodiversity in Wales

To support local communities and culture

* encouraging community involvement in tourism : explore opportunities for developing and promoting programmes at a more local level that involve high levels of community participation and respect the local distinctiveness of the area.

Cultural Tourism Strategy For Wales

The vision of the Cultural Tourism Strategy 2000 is that ‘Wales be recognised internationally as a destination offering a quality cultural tourism experience based on its unique culture which forms an essential part of the overall tourism experience.’ If the full potential for cultural tourism is to be realised then it is essential that the product meets the needs and expectations of the cultural tourist. Investment is required to develop effective interpretation.

Activity Strategies

Outdoor activities are one of the key drivers of tourism in Wales and have a major role to play in improving health and fitness. Natural facilities in Wales have provided an excellent competitive advantage for activity tourism. However, considerable investment is required to ensure that the supporting infrastructure such as suitable accommodation, access to the countryside and changing facilities/toilets are of a satisfactory quality to meet and exceed visitor expectations.

In some instances specific infrastructure such as walking, cycling and equestrian trails, climbing and rope-work attractions, slipways and moorings for water-sports are also required to remain competitive internationally.

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The following table indicates the hierarchy of activity sectors.

Value 2004 Potential Value 2010 Annual

(£ million) (£ million) Growth Walking Tourism 550 700 3.5% Watersports Tourism 160 220 4.0% Adventure Tourism 133 220 7.4% Cycling Tourism 103 172 7.6% Fishing Tourism 76 115 6.0% Equestrian Tourism 18 27 6.0% TOTAL 955 1358 5.1%

In terms of walking Visit Wales are seeking to establish Wales as the best UK walking tourism destination. The Strategy ‘Best Foot Forward’ sets out a series of priorities for action to address seven strategic objectives for ensuring that Wales has:

* the best managed rights of way network

* the best choice of walks

* the best presented walks literature

* the best walking information services

* the best integrated walking and public transport

* the best facilities, services and welcome for walkers

* the best marketing of walking …….. of anywhere in the UK

These priorities call for integrated local approaches that bring together all interested parties to jointly plan local strategies for developing the walking tourism product of their area, town or village, alongside (or as part of) the development of Rights of Way Improvement Plans, the work of Local Access Forums and the implementation of Tourism Growth Area programmes.

The cycling product has really ‘taken off’ in Wales (and, indeed, across the UK over the past 10 years) with:

* the network of National Cycle Routes (including NCR46 which uses Clydach Gorge)

* the development of specific named trails including the Taff Trail and Celtic Trail

* the outstanding mountain bike centres in Coed y Brenin, Afon Forest Park and Cwmcarn

* the Visit Wales Cycling Wales brochure

* mbwales website

* the work of the Cycling Wales Marketing Group.

The Wales Cycling Strategy ‘Moving Up A Gear’ seeks to establish Wales as the leading UK and European cycle tourism destination and envisages the development and promotion of four key cycle tourism products:

* Mountain Biking in Wales

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* Wales Cycle Breaks

* Family Cycling

* Cycle Touring in Wales

The development of the Mountain Biking and Cycle Breaks products focuses on a small number of mountain biking and cycling centres of excellence which offer high quality mountain biking and cycling routes coupled with a strong support infrastructure including:

* the promotion of high standards of cycle route design, maintenance and mapping

* the encouragement of improved public transport access for cycle tourists

* the development of an infrastructure of support facilities and services including cycle hire, cycle repair and sales, cycle recovery services, luggage transfer, cyclist friendly accommodation, attractions and refreshment stops and cycling information services.

The Riding Tourism Strategy for Wales Saddling Up For Success’ estimates that some 800,000 riding occasions are taken by visitors in Wales each year with an estimated direct expenditure of £18 million. Riders comprise three broad groups:

* holidaymakers taking a horse ride as one activity during their stay : 55% of riding occasions

* between 30,000 to 40,000 people take a riding holiday : accounting for 15 to 20% of riding occasions

* day visitors (excluding local riders regularly exercising their horse close to stabling) : 25% of riding occasions

The strategic priorities are:

* to raise the profile of Wales as a riding tourism destination

* to develop a better maintained network of routes and trails and create product and marketing links between routes and other tourist rider products and services in order to create a holistic and coordinated riding tourism offer

* to diversify the riding tourism accommodation base to include serviced and self- catering establishments that more closely match the needs of growth markets, and in particular, the higher value end of the riding tourism sector

* to co-ordinate and package the riding tourism holiday experience to maximise potential and streamline the holiday planning process.

Activity tourism is covered by the strategy ‘Time for Action’ and is defined ‘as holiday and day visits that involve participation in active or adventurous outdoor activities either as a primary or secondary purpose of visit’. It includes:

* climbing - mountaineering, rock climbing, abseiling, bouldering

* caving and pot holing

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* non-motorised water-sports – sailing, windsurfing, kite-surfing, canoeing, kayaking, white water rafting, surfing

* motorised land sports – 4x4 driving, trail biking, quad biking

* airsports – hang-gliding, paragliding, micro-lighting, gliding

* mountain biking – trail riding, downhill riding

* hill walking / trekking

* other land based activities – orienteering, gorge walking, skiing, snowboarding, land yachting, para-karting, bungee jumping, paint-balling, archery, clay pigeon shooting, rope courses.

Adventure tourist visits involving these activities, either as their main or a secondary purpose of visit, currently account for at least 1.25 million visits to Wales per year and in the order of £180 million of direct visitor spending. They make up approximately 13% of domestic trips, nights and spend in Wales. Adventure holidays (where participation in adventure activities is the main holiday purpose) account for about 4% of the domestic holiday market for Wales : a figure almost comparable to walking holidays (which account for around 5% of domestic holidays in Wales).

The activity operators sector is highly independent, fragmented, and weakly organised, with no tradition of joint working. Key product development requirements include:

* improved access arrangements for many adventure sports

* effective management of adventure activities : to avoid damage to the natural environment; conflicts between different sporting and recreational interests and disruption for landowners, farmers, graziers, and local communities

* the development and attraction of high profile adventure sports events that are capable of attracting good media coverage.

The development of local activity operator networks is required to provide:

* a focus for the delivery of training and business support for activity operators

* collaborative marketing projects

* networking and referral business between operators

* a stronger local voice for the adventure activities industry

* the promotion of environmental good practice, safety and quality within the adventure activities industry.

C2 South East Wales Strategic Tourism Framework (August 2008)

This is the Tourism Strategy for South East Wales for 2008 – 2010 containing the Strategic Framework and a three year Action Plan. It reviews the first strategy for the area (1999), looks at the changing landscape, sets the strategic vision and develops a series of strategic recommendations under a number of themes.

Trends in tourism over the seven years to 2006 found that:

* the target for regional tourism spending has been significantly exceeded

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* the growth in regional tourism spending has outperformed Wales as a whole and the UK

* South East Wales market share of all Wales and UK tourism spend has increased

* visitor growth has been mainly in serviced accommodation and day visitors

* visitor expenditure growth has been seen in the retail sector.

The current regional profiles are (Source: VisitWales 2005):

UK Visitors

* 2.8m visits

* 8.5m bednights

* £439m spend : average spend per night £52

* average length of stay 3 nights

* 60% of nights are for holiday 21% VFR 14% business

* 75% of bednights are spent in city/town accommodation

* 70% of trips are from England

* 75% of trips are by car

* 70% of trips are by people aged 16 – 44

International Visitors

* 0.47m trips

* 3.4m bednights

* £152m spend : average spend per night £45

* average length of stay 7 days

* 25% of nights are for holiday 36% VFR 14% business

* 20% trips from Ireland 12% USA 12% Germany

* 30% of trips are by people 16 – 44

Annual Occupancy

* hotel bedrooms 61% (Wales average 57%)

* guest house and B & B 51% (Wales average 43%).

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The headlines from the South East Wales Visitor Survey (2005) are:

* 53% day visit from home

* 46% come from Wales and around 35% from immediate vicinity

* 80% have been to the area before

* scenery, landscape and countryside are the main influences plus shopping and VFR

* 96% score the visit excellent or good.

The Regional Tourism Strategy is important in relation to regeneration, transport and the local development planning process and is playing an important role in the regeneration of the Heads of the Valleys. It identifies Abergavenney as a key settlement and primary tourism hub.

The vision sees South East Wales as…. ‘the lively city region, the nation’s capital region for tourism and the gateway to Wales. It will compete with the best in the UK and Europe to win a growing share of the US short break, overseas, events, meetings and conference markets.’

It will build upon and promote the special strengths of:

* sense of place, culture, people, heritage and traditions

* the special places including Brecon Beacons and the Wye Valley

* the choice of outdoor activities that are easy to get to and not too extreme.

It emphasises that all tourism in South East Wales should seek to be sustainable and provide four guiding principles:

* promoting local economic prosperity

* supporting community well being and involvement

* minimising tourism’s environmental impact

* protecting and giving value to natural heritage and culture.

This leads on to strategic recommendations in relation to:

* focused marketing

* distinctive branding

* higher quality

* easier access

* better skills

* stronger partnerships

* measuring success.

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Recommendations of relevance to Clydach Gorge include:

* the quality of the environment is one of the main motives for visiting the region : the economy and the environment are directly linked through tourism. Promoting the landscape and culture in tandem with sustainable management of these resources provides the economic justification for protecting and investing in them

* the self catering offer is very strong in places and the quality is good : there is an opportunity for further development in the northern part of the region especially in tandem with outdoor activity facilities

* activities are a key part of the visitor ‘offer’ : developing gentler walking for all ages and abilities, cycling and riding is important

* support initiatives to protect, maintain and improve those parts of the environment at risk including natural habitats and wildlife, designated areas, beaches, footpaths and the underwater environments

* pursue excellence within the public realm and customer service at hubs of visitor activity

* improve the level of visitor awareness and the quality of the visitor experience in newly designated and emerging destinations such as Blaenavon World Heritage Site and Valleys Regional Park

* provide better integration of the landscape.

C3 Tourism in Monmouthshire

There is currently no Tourism Strategy for Monmouthshire although a new Tourism Strategy is to be produced to replace the Tourism Growth Area Action Plan. However, using the STEAM model, it is possible to draw out key data and compare the tourism performance in 2006 and 2007:

* Monmouthshire attracted 1.993m visitors in 2007 (1.990m visitors 2006)

* staying visitors amounted to 424,000 (2007) who stayed 1.135 nights (2006 420,000 visitors : 1.102 nights) : an increase of 1% with the greatest increase in the non- serviced sector

* 2,593 people were employed in tourism (a slight increase from 2,559 in 2006)

* it is estimated that tourism generated 450,000 tourist cars on the roads

* visitors generated £125m (£30m indirect expenditure) of which day visitors accounted for £38m (2007).

It is estimated that tourism growth has equated to 6% in recent years.

There is limited viistor accommodation in Clydach Gorge : Abergavenny is identified as a key settlement in the Wales Spatial Plan and primary tourism hub in the Regional Tourism Strategy. This historic market town has a wide range of services and facilities and, with the surrounding area, it can offer:

* 753 serviced beds

* 544 self catering beds

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* 1,368 caravan/campsite pitches.

Occupancy in 2006 was 43% serviced : 55% self catering (compared to hotels (61%) and guest house and B & B (51%) in the region).

Clydach Gorge is technically outside the geographical area of the Wye Valley and Vale of Usk Tourism Growth Area (it actually falls inside the Brecon Beacons TGA) but the Action Plan recommends upgrading the quality of tourism products and facilities and building upon the outstanding natural and cultural landscape in order to create a strong and distinctive image. Furthermore, it advocated supporting the development of countryside recreation activities, especially walking and cycling, and closer partnership working with other agencies such as the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority.

C4 Fresh Directions : Local Economic Development Strategy And Action Plan (2004-2008)

The Monmouthshire Community Strategy which aims ‘to encourage prosperity and activity for all our residents’ identifies economic development as one of six priority areas. The Economic Development Strategy ‘Fresh Directions’ establishes as its vision statement:

‘To raise the prosperity and quality of life in Monmouthshire by developing a more sustainable local economy utilising the natural resources and encouraging indigenous growth’.

The strategy identifies eight objectives:

* to reduce the level of out migration to work

* to have an adequate supply of land and premises available to meet local needs

* to support businesses to start up and grow within the county

* to revitalise our towns

* to rejuvenate our rural economy

* to increase tourism

* to encourage community development

* to assist in raising the skill level of the workforce.

These objectives have been developed into an Action Plan which has three sections:

* an agenda for towns

* an agenda for rural Monmouthshire

* countywide themes.

The strategy makes specific reference to initiatives which are relevant to Clydach Gorge including:

* promoting Monmouthshire as a ‘green tourism’ destination with new product development

* assisting communities to promote community ‘hubs’ and support small town/village initiatives

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* promote the culture and heritage of rural Monmouthshire

* develop and implement a comprehensive tourist/event signposting strategy in conjunction with the Highways Department

* designating Monmouthshire routes for walkers, cyclists, riders and canoeists, improving them and systematically exploring how economic activity can be expanded.

A new Economic Development Strategy is about to be prepared.

C5 Brecon Beacons Sustainable Tourism Strategy (2007 – 2016)

Tourism in the National Park is worth over £126m per annum (2004) or £4,000 to everyone who lives in the Park. It attracts 3.4m day visitors, 250,000 tourists per annum staying a total of 600,000 bednights and generating and supporting over 2,900 direct and indirect FTE jobs. It induces secondary spending in the community and encourages enterprise and innovation (indirect expenditure and VAT amounts to almost £50m pa).

Other headline figures include:

* day visitors contribute 61% of the income and 82.5% of the days

* average day visitor spend is £22.34

* 80% of overnight tourist trips use commercial accommodation whilst 17% are VFR

* serviced accommodation accounts for 72% of all tourist trips with an average stay of 1.7 nights

* non-serviced accommodation accounts for 28% of all tourist trips using commercial accommodation with an average length of stay of 6.5 days and a spend per head per day of £61.85

* value of tourism has increased by 32% or 10.9% pa which is more than double the national target set for Wales

* the number of overnight trips has increased by 3.3% pa which is similar to day trips

* seasonality remains an issue with the main season being Easter and July to the end August. It stretches throughout the year in serviced accommodation.

The strategy analyses in depth the tourism product, the current situation and the key issues which were broken down into:

* quality of the visitor experience

* maximising environmental business and community benefits

* marketing, branding and developing new tourist markets

* environmental enhancement

* organisational structure.

It identifies the primary growth markets as:

* general short and extended leisure breaks

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* activity holidays as well as informal activities such as cycling, walking, horse riding and fishing

* special interest breaks especially wildlife, heritage and culture, geology, food and drink, craft and conservation work

* short breaks for business and management training/team building.

The key target audiences are:

* active seniors/empty nesters

* early retired

* young couples without children

* social groups

The Vision for tourism in the National Park should be that:

‘By 2020 the area will be an exemplar of sustainable tourism in protected areas building on:

* a strong sense of place

* the indigenous natural and cultural heritage of the Brecon Beacons and

* a reputation for quality built upon communities, public sector and business interests working together to exceed the expectations of visitors.’

The primary objectives of the strategy to achieve the vision are:

* market research

* marketing

* managing the visitor experience

* managing the impacts of tourism

* refining the organisational structure to help create a stronger partnership approach.

Key actions of relevance to Clydach Gorge include:

* continuing to implement existing strategies and actions plans for walking, cycling and riding

* developing a new action plan for heritage and cultural tourism

* developing a hierarchy of laybys and car parks linked to Rights of Way Improvement Plan priorities

* implement the proposals contained in the Visitor Information, Interpretation and Education Strategy (2003).

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C6 Valleys Regional Park

In the Wales Spatial Plan : People Places and Future (2004) the Welsh Assembly Government highlighted in the Vision that ‘we will sustain our communities by tacking the challenges presented by population and economic change’. It went on to say that ‘our future depends on the vitality of our communities as attractive places to live and work’. The first challenge is tackling deprivation, and particularly concentrations of poverty and worklessness, one of the largest concentrations of which is to the found in the Upper South Wales Valleys. It argued that the area requires ‘concerted, creative and focused investment….. in order to tackle problems of poor health, worklessness, lack of commercial investment and low skills’.

This led to the preparation and launch of the ‘Heads We Win : A Strategic Framework for the Heads of the Valleys’ (2005) in which the Welsh Assembly Government set out its vision for the Heads of the Valleys. It envisaged that by 2020 the area will be:

* a culturally rich dynamic network of vibrant and safe communities

* a place where people want to live, work and play with a sustainable high quality of life and a thriving population

* helping to drive the success of South East Wales as an internationally recognised Capital Region.

Within this strategy is the statement:

… we will create a Valleys Park to boost tourism credentials and emphasise its potential to be a beacon of urban living in a rural environment’

A Stage 1 report was prepared in July 2006 which sought to scope out the potential and provide a vision for a Valleys Regional Park. It made specific recommendations as to:

* its aims and objectives

* what the park should be

* the potential boundary confirming that a larger spatial area was entirely appropriate

* what it can achieve

* how it could be delivered.

In particular the research highlighted a need to take the vision to the next stage investigating all the issues and potential opportunities in greater detail. This led to the preparation of the Valleys Regional Park Strategic Framework which is the Stage 2 report that comprises:

* a Valleys Regional Park Master Plan with phased and costed Action Plan

* a Business Plan which clarifies the mechanism for delivery and subsequent maintenance and management.

The Vision was presented to the Heads of the Valleys Strategic Programme Team and accepted as a realistic basis on which to go forward to the next stage. As a result the Valleys Regional Park Working Group was established with the objective of developing and positioning the project to take advantage of EU Convergence and other funding which has become available.

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The Valleys Regional Park is a coordinated approach to the provision and management of countryside recreation and greenspace across the former South Wales Coalfields. It is more than just the existing parks, forests, open spaces and amenity areas but includes towns, villages, settlements, heritage sites, industrial sites, derelict land and brownfield sites. It is an area that contains a mosaic of countryside recreation and amenity features including country parks, forest parks, urban parks, greenspaces, doorstep greens, picnic sites, viewpoints, forests, upland commons, reservoirs, lakes, canals, nature reserves and river corridors as well as historic sites and visitor attractions all linked together by an extensive rights of way network, trails, tramways and cycle routes. Indeed, it is this unique and diverse range of natural and cultural features and facilities which makes the Valleys so special and offers a wide spectrum of opportunities to access and enjoy the region’s environment.

The Vision for Valleys Regional Park is:

……. a high quality sustainable network of greenspaces offering outstanding recreational opportunities which will change the image and perception of the Valleys for ever, improve the quality of life, health and well being for local people, generate pride in their area, create an environment that stimulates inward investment and becomes an attractive destination for visitors.

The primary aims of the Park are to:

* stimulate collaborative working between authorities and partners within an agreed strategic framework in order to maximise the available funding opportunities and ensure a more efficient delivery of services can be achieved

* coordinate the prioritised development and improvement of key countryside recreation sites, links and visitor facilities across the park thereby creating an exemplar network of greenspaces which become the envy of the world

* develop opportunities and encourage and support the role of local enterprise to contribute to the delivery of countryside recreational services

* develop a Valleys-wide approach to the problems of antisocial behaviour in the countryside including off-road motorcycling, fly-tipping, vandalism and abusive behaviour

* devise Valleys-wide programmes to stimulate greater use of the countryside by local people, and particularly those who do not traditionally do so, thereby encouraging people to live more active and healthy lives and enhancing health and well being

* build upon existing tourism sites, facilities and campaigns to enhance the perception of the South Wales Valleys

* ensure that Local Service Boards and Communities First areas enjoy the benefit of regional working by providing them with the mechanism to reflect the ‘Making the Connections’ agenda

* work with Local Service Boards and Community Strategies to provide the mechanism whereby local communities can influence the recreation and open space facilities on their doorstep

* raise awareness and understanding of the value and importance of the Valleys countryside and, therefore, influence attitudes and behaviour through environmental education, life long learning, interpretation and community outreach programmes

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* identify, conserve, manage and enhance the green corridors and protected landscapes in a collaborative way to reduce cross-border fragmentation, avoid potential conflicts and maximise their biodiversity value and connectivity importance

* implement and enforce a sustainable design code and management principles to reflect quality and deliver the national sustainable development agenda

* to work collaboratively with existing partnerships such as HERIAN to ensure that the outstanding natural, built and cultural heritage of the South Wales Valleys is developed and managed sustainably to bring maximum benefit economically and socially.

These aims provide the foundation for the Master Plan (shown below).

PLAN C.1 : VALLEYS REGIONAL PARK MASTER PLAN

The Park comprises the A4042 Cwmbran – Abergavenny road and the Torfaen County Borough boundary to the east, the M4 from Newport to Pontardulais and continues along the A4138 and the A484 to Kidwelly. To the north west the boundary follows minor roads to the north of the Gwendraeth Valley and Ammanford and links into the Brecon Beacons National Park and Neath Port Talbot County Borough boundaries at Brynamman. The northern boundary follows the National Park boundary through Powys and then continues along the northern edge of Merthyr Tydfil and slightly north of Blaenau Gwent and Clydach Gorge before linking back to the A4042 south of Abergavenny.

The topography of the Valleys has created a series of corridors. The valley corridors contain transportation and communication networks, population and countryside facilities. These are interlinked by upland corridors comprising commons, open access and forestry which provide open, green, recreation and biodiversity lungs through the park. Within this framework the Master Plan includes:

* gateways including Abergavenny

* attractions which serve as dispersed gateways including St Peter’s Centre Blaenavon and Clydach Gorge

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* primary corridors including the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal which incorporates Clydach Gorge

* countryside sites along the primary corridors should be considered priority for investment as they are established destinations and attractors to the Valleys.

The key principles which underpin the Master Plan relate to:

* sustainability

* building on what we have

* build up, and create, more markets

* existing strategies

* quality standards

* joint working/cross border collaboration

* inclusive and accessible for all.

The Master Plan included a Business Plan and Action Plan which has subsequently been taken forward and refined over the last 12 months to take advantage of the EU Convergence and Inter-Reg programmes. This has identified and prioritised a wide ranging programme including Clydach Gorge and further consolidation to Clydach Ironworks.

The South East Wales Strategic Tourism Framework identified the tourism related primary aims of the Park to be:

* stimulate collaborative working between authorities and partners within an agreed framework

* coordinate the prioritised development and improvement of key countryside recreation sites, links and visitor facilities across the Park

* develop opportunities, encourage and support the role of local enterprise to contribute to the delivery of countryside recreational services

* develop a Valley-wide approach to the problems of antisocial behaviour in the countryside including off-road motorcycling, fly tipping, vandalism and abusive behaviour

* work with Local Service Boards and Community Strategies to provide the mechanism whereby local communities can influence the recreation and open space facilities on their doorstep

* implement and enforce a sustainable design code and management principles to reflect and deliver the national sustainable development agenda

* work collaborative with HERIAN to ensure that the outstanding natural and built heritage of the South Wales Valleys are developed and managed sustainably for economic and social benefit.

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C7 Forgotten Landscapes Partnership Project

Forgotten Landscapes is a partnership project which has brought together a range of national agencies, local authorities, WHS, BBNP, the private and voluntary sector to explore, plan and deliver realistic proposals that will ‘conserve and enhance the heritage and improve the social, environmental and economic circumstances of the area in a sustainable way’.

The project focussed on the wider landscapes of the World Heritage Site (see Plan C7.1 overleaf) but includes parts of Clydach Gorge. It is based on four key themes:

* protecting and enhancing our natural heritage which has been entitled ‘the landscape made the people’

* working with communities highlighting important cultural associations which has been entitled ‘our sense of place’

* developing and managing access and interpretation in order to encourage more people to be involved in, use and learn about their heritage landscape (this has been called ‘nature’s story’)

* providing education and training opportunities that may lead to jobs which has been called ‘guardians of the landscape’.

The project will generate benefits for nature conservation, cultural heritage, the local economy and social fabric and will seek ‘to change perceptions and engender pride in the area’.

The project, which is led by Torfaen County Borough Council, has received a £1.6m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The next task is to work up the individual projects in more detail in order to submit a Stage 2 bid. This includes:

* Visitor Management Project Plan

* Interpretation Project Plan

* Audience Development Project Plan

* Education and Training Project Plan.

Funding should be available for projects from Spring 2010 and in relation to Clydach Gorge this could include:

* visitor orientation and interpretation

* publications in relation to trails

* access improvements

but it is unlikely to include conservation of the cultural heritage because this work is being concentrated within the WHS.

C8 Brecon Beacons National Park Interpretation Strategy (2007-10)

The Interpretive Plan seeks to provide focus for future interpretive projects within the National Park. It builds on an earlier Park Interpretive Strategy (2003) Parkin, identifies the interpretive resources of the park and focuses on six key audiences:

* local people

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PLAN C7.1 : FORGOTTEN LANDSCAPES PROJECT BOUNDARY

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* visitors

* education and young people

* visitors with special needs

* special interest visitors

* activity visitors.

It draws out four key interpretive themes each with sub themes and interpretive topics:

* the unique shape of the hills and mountains is due to different types of rock under the surface combined with the effects of powerful natural forces over millions of years in the past, present and future Brecon Beacons National Park is a living, working landscape where human activity shapes the land

* this landscape has a rich cultural heritage of language, customs, traditions and religion to explore

* geological activity and human use of the land has created rich and varied habitats that support a diverse range of plants and animals.

The Plan includes a SWOT analysis and an Action Plan which uses the strengths to take advantage of the opportunities, to overcome weaknesses by taking advantage of opportunities and to use the strengths to avoid threats.

The Plan focuses on the structure of the visitor experience and proposes different types of interpretation at different types of site from ‘gateways’ to remote sites and includes a phased programme of work.

C9 HERIAN Eastern Area Interpretive Action Plan (2005)

HERIAN (Heritage in Action) was launched in 2003 as a multi sector partnership following the commissioning of an influential research project undertaken by L&R Consultants in 2001 which emphasised the potential of using the built, cultural and social heritage as a catalyst in a number of key areas of regeneration including:

* social inclusion and community development

* urban regeneration and environmental enhancement

* education and life long learning

* the historic and cultural landscape

* tourism.

The partnership, which was promoted by the, then, Welsh Tourist Board, includes 13 local authorities, national statutory bodies, voluntary and private sector organisations.

A key priority was the development of an over-arching Interpretive Plan for the South Wales Industrial Heritage Initiative which was prepared by PLB Consultants (2003). This set out a strategic framework for the enhancement of physical and intellectual access to the story of industrial South Wales and provided opportunities for skills development, life long learning and community capacity building.

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The Interpretive Plan recommended:

* the creation of hubs and links

* a network of shared information points

* a website

* improving the presentation of interpretation at many cultural heritage sites

* using first person interpretation through theatrical and costumed interpretation events to bring ‘heritage sites’ alive

* a ‘trail of light’ for architectural floodlighting of selected heritage assets and buildings along the European Route of Industrial Heritage

* the creation of area based groups to develop Area Interpretation Plans.

The Eastern Area Interpretive Plan sets out:

* a strategic framework of shared objectives

* identifies the areas’ industrial heritage assets

* over-arching interpretive themes

* phased actions and support for local interest groups and their projects.

The Plan has identified 59 heritage sites and these have been grouped into clusters:

* Blaenavon and Pontypool

* Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal

* Newport

* Wye Valley

* Heads of Valleys including Clydach Gorge/Ironworks and Clydach Railway.

The Plan suggested a primary information point should be established at the St Peter’s World Heritage Centre in Blaenavon with further primary/secondary information points at:

* Bit Pit Blaenavon

* Tintern

* Goytre Wharf

* 14 Locks Visitor Centre.

The Interpretive Plan has identified three key interpretive themes:

* the struggles of the 19th century industrial workers in this area shaped democracy in Britain and have influenced politics across the globe

* people overcame extreme physical and natural barriers to build transport systems that would enable the inland industries of this area to trade with the ports (markets) of the World

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* this area has a uniquely complete industrial landscape.

From this the Plan looked at key opportunities including:

* themed trails (including NCR46 along the Merthyr, Tredegar and Abergavenny Railway and the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal towpath)

* opportunities to develop shorter ‘loops and links’ trails building on the Iron Mountain Trail and making links between the WHS and Clydach Gorge to the Canal

* developing and supporting community heritage initiatives including the Llanelly Community Council walking routes linking Gilwern, Clydach and Llanelly Hill, the Govilon Heritage Group and Llanfoist Historical Society.

The Plan then prioritised key sites including:

* Govilon Heritage Project which has been largely implemented

* Clydach Ironworks – which is being undertaken by Monmouthshire County Council

* Hafod Arch – which is to be conserved by Blaenau Gwent

* Llanelly – local heritage trail leaflet and interpretation.

C10 Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal Interpretation Plan (March 2004)

British Waterways commissioned Imagemakers to prepare an Interpretation Plan for the entire 35.5 mile length of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal between Brecon and Newport. The over-arching aim was to ensure a strategic approach to the planning and implementation of future interpretation along the canal which would raise awareness and understanding of its cultural significance in heritage, environmental, community and regeneration terms. Gilwern Wharf provided an important outlet for Clydach Ironworks taking the iron ore to markets at home and abroad whilst the canal also transported coal, limestone, lime and timber. The canal was completed in 1800 and by 1820 there was a proliferation of tramroads linking eastwards from the Heads of the Valleys to Llangattock, Gilwern, Govilon and Llanfoist.

After the arrival of the railways use of the canal inevitably declined and the last toll was paid in 1933. Subsequently sections of the canal were lost to road building and other development. Since 1952, however, attempts were made to bring the canal back into navigation and by 1972 the section between Brecon and Pontymoile was restored. The section from Pontymoile Basin to Five Locks was reopened in an unnavigable condition in 1996 but the various local authorities, with the Monmouthshire, Brecon and Abergavenny Canals Trust, have developed proposals to completely reopen the canal. Although a £25m bid for funding to the Big Lottery failed in 2008 other ways of achieving the vision are being investigated.

The Interpretation Plan identified as its key audiences:

* local people (cycling and * visiting friends and family walking) (VFR)

* day visitors * boaters

* tourists already in the area * incidental users.

The study considers the interpretive resources and identifies as its over-arching interpretive theme:

‘The Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal is the most complete of South Wales three remaining canals and as such is a unique recreational, wildlife and tourism asset and

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internationally significant relic of an era when Wales led the world’s Industrial Revolution’

It identifies seven interpretive themes supported by strategic topics:

* by providing a transport link between the iron, limestone and coal workings of the ‘Heads of Valleys’ and Newport the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal was a major catalyst in Wales’ development as a leading nation in the Industrial Revolution

* the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal, with its myriad of associated horse-drawn railed ways, played a key role in the development of the modern railway : a form of transport that ironically led to the demise of the canals

* evidence of past industries associated with the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal is everywhere and at every scale from street and pub names to relic features and even the landscape itself

* the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal brought prosperity to many local communities in the past and continues to bring economic benefits today through recreation and tourism

* in the context of the hilly terrain through which much of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal passes the largely level towpath provides a unique recreational experience

* the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal is a haven for all sorts of wildlife some rare and endangered

* we all have a responsibility to respect the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal’s unique natural, built and cultural heritage.

A number of key ‘hubs’ of visitor activity were identified including:

* Llanfoist (Boat House)

* Govilon Wharf

* Gilwern Wharf

* Goytre Wharf.

Gilwern Wharf and Goytre Wharf were seen as key gateways which would form the major focus for interpretation. In terms of Gilwern the Interpretation Plan highlighted the wharf, the 90ft embankment over Clydach Gorge and the County Council picnic site. Existing panels have been vandalised and the proposals include:

* community heritage trail

* sculptural pieces including engraved text/images interpreting the aqueduct and Gilwern Wharf including a navvy and engineer and boatman

* visitor information/orientation point adjacent to the Navigation Inn

* Glanbaiden Waterway and Services Experience on the land to the south of the Gilwern roundabout which could act as a gateway to the canal and WHS. This could include sculpture, picnic area, themed play, waymarked discovery walks, chairlift and discovery centre

* improved white on brown signage to Gilwern Wharf and picnic areas.

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The Interpretation Plan identified a number of secondary sites including Govilon and Llanfoist. In relation to Govilon it proposes:

* enhanced visitor information and orientation point

* sculptured entrance sign

* WHS canal trail

* site interpretation panels.

In Llanfoist it identified Llanfoist Wharf and Hill’s Tramroad as the key features and suggested a visitor information and orientation point.

C11 Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site Visitor Experience And Interpretation Plan (April 2007)

Blaenavon is one of the best surviving examples in the world of a landscape and its artefacts that was created by industrial development in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. It was one of the major centres in the Industrial Revolution in Britain and for a while led the world in technology and industrial innovation.

The Plan, prepared by Red Kite Environment and Touchstone Heritage Management, considers both visitor experience planning and interpretation.

It makes recommendations in relation to:

* pre-visit

* the visit itself

* post visit

* repeat visits.

The report recommends the need for

* strengthening the links between Big Pit and the rest of the WHS

* improving the Blaenavon Ironworks experience

* making more of the Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway

* maximising the potential of the St Peter’s World Heritage Site Centre

* developing an events programme maximising the potential of the Workman’s Hall

* establishing appropriate staffing and a capital and revenue budget

* a visitor experience delivery mechanism.

The Interpretation Plan incorporates Clydach Gorge, Gilwern and Govilon and identifies three specific and interlocking interpretive resources:

* industry and trade

* people and community

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* landform and wildlife.

It undertakes an appraisal of the existing interpretation and highlights the key audiences for interpretation as:

* family groups

* adults (primarily middle age or older)

* adult groups

* educational groups

* special interest groups.

It establishes interpretive objectives and a concept storyline of ‘three worlds’ (Blaenavon, South Wales and the World) and from this an overarching interpretive theme….

‘The Blaenavon Industrial Landscape is a living testimony to human and industrial endeavour in the way it epitomises and reflects the dramatic changes in life and work that characterise the unique role of South Wales in the earliest days of the Industrial Revolution.’

It generates three key themes:

* the story of industry and trade

The Blaenavon Industrial Landscape is a unique and remarkable relic of the development of heavy industry and its resultant economic and commercial achievement at the forefront of the Industrial Revolution

* the story of people and the community

The Blaenavon Industrial Landscape is a powerful evocation of human endeavour, toil and achievement within the industrial, commercial and transport operations and in the wider community which survives to this day

* the story of landform and wildlife

The Blaenavon Industrial Landscape represents the overwhelming impact of unrestrained industrial development on the environment and the steps taken to safeguard historical features whilst enhancing and conserving the countryside.

The Plan goes on to develop storylines, characters, timeframe and media discussing bilingualism and access for all. Proposals are based on low key interpretive media supported by personal interpretation in both written and face to face forms to tell the story of the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape. It introduces a range of characters through which to tell the stories coupled with printed material, graphic panels, outdoor ‘story posts’, websites, audio tours, PDA tours, events and activities and a car trail.

C12 A465 Heads of the Valley Landscape Strategy (September 2007)

White Young Green was commissioned to develop a Landscape Strategy for the route corridor of the A465 Trunk Road between Abergavenny and Hirwaun. The Landscape Strategy updates the landscape and visual assessment included in the 1997 Environmental Impact Assessment for the A465 dualling proposals.

The Strategy proposes environmental and landscape enhancement within or adjacent to the A465. Its definition of ‘landscape’ is a broad one and its remit includes aspects of ecology,

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recreation and tourism. It recommends general principles to be adopted for the entire route, appraises the section of road between Gilwern and Brynmawr and formulates an Action Plan specific to Clydach Gorge.

The Strategy proposes that the A465 dualling offers many opportunities including the following:

* telling the story of the landscape, people and places of the Heads of the Valleys

* encouraging access to the wider countryside … to promote healthy lifestyles, active recreation and outdoor sports which make use of the natural assets of the area. Explore links with the Valleys Regional Park and its suggested implementation of Public Rights of Way Improvement Plans

* as an access to the important destinations of the Brecon Beacons National Park, Blaenavon World Heritage Site …. and a sense of arrival to these destinations.

Also noted is that….

* poor maintenance and management of key natural and historic assets over large areas will continue to have a negative impact on the image of the Heads of the Valleys.

The Strategy proposes the creation of a ‘Sense of Place’ and design which responds to the ‘unique landscape qualities’ of the road’s setting and suggests ways in which this may be achieved e.g. by a departure from standard highway solutions for slip road length, landscape take and use of public art.

Specifically for this Study, the Strategy recognises the importance of Clydach Gorge as a wildlife corridor with the existence of definite crossing points for bats.

It notes key issues at Clydach Gorge as:

* in terms of its location, geomorphology, history, settlement pattern and underlying geology the Gorge represents a ‘gateway’ to the Valleys when travelling east to west along the A465

* Section 2 of the A465 dualling would include large scale earthworks and retaining structures potentially impacting on the existing visitor attraction at Clydach Ironworks

* the Gorge encompasses a distinctive and unique landscape of immense historic and cultural importance as a microcosm of 18th/19th Century industrial, transport and social evolution and revolution …

* the biodiversity value of the Gorge is outstanding due to the range of habitats from semi-improved grassland to irregular linear blocks of ancient and semi-natural woodland … to cliffs, rock outcrops and scree slopes providing unique habitats for a variety of flora and fauna.

Proposals for the Gorge include ….

* … to complement … measures to improve the prosperity of the communities in the Clydach Gorge through promotion of sustainable tourism in the area

* the area has the potential to become a convenient stopping-off and orientation point for west-bound visitors coming to South Wales from the North West and the Midlands. There are opportunities to encourage visitors to explore the World Heritage Site from the northern approaches ... and to establish a northern ‘Gateway’ to the World Heritage Site. Clydach is close to the junction of the A465 with the A467/B4248 at

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Brynmawr with the B4248 being the best approach road for vehicles into the World Heritage Site from the north and west

* improve the quality of the landscape:

- landscape and environmental improvements to re-enforce the Gorge as a gateway to the Valleys building upon or highlighting natural/cultural and historic assets

- consider the potential to improve/obscure views of the dualling whilst ensuring important views of landmarks are maintained along the proposed route of the A465

* improve use and access:

- improve pedestrian/cycle access across (over or under) the A465 to link settlements either side of the A465 and improve accessibility to outdoor recreation

- consider improvements along the route of the National Cycle Route 46 between Govilon and Brynmawr to highlight ecology, geology or industrial history of the Gorge.

The Strategy’s Action Plan includes:

* advance planting to mitigate landscape and visual impact of the A465 dualling and management of the existing vegetation to maximise its screening value

* improvements to visitor facilities at Clydach Ironworks including circular routes from the car park, information, orientation and interpretation of attractions.

Finally, the Strategy notes that the former CEMEX aggregates site occupies a strategic location and its acquisition would offer significant opportunities. However, it also notes that the close proximity of the aggregates site to the A465 could result in the site being re-opened to supply concrete for the dualling which would reduce importation of concrete and, therefore, offer a sustainable option.

C13 ‘Managing Change Together’ : BBNP Draft Management Plan 2009 - 2014

Most, but not all, of the study area falls within the Brecon Beacons National Park which as a Special Purpose Local Authority is the planning authority for its area, provides visitor information facilities, manages the Rights of Way network and uses paid and voluntary wardens for a range of land management and community functions.

The NPA’s statutory Park Management Plan is being comprehensively revised and it sets out a series of guiding principles and 20 year aims. The section on priorities for action has not yet been agreed. The NPA is keen to promote sustainability and social inclusion, to engage with communities and develop partnerships, to experiment and to reach beyond its borders. Of relevance to this project are the specific aims to:

* make the best use of external funding and resource opportunities to improve public access

* work constructively with partners to reduce and resolve conflicts and improve access and recreation provision

* encourage awareness and understanding of the special qualities of BBNP

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* provide interpretive services that are enjoyable and will greatly enhance the quality of a visit to the National Park

* enable and support local communities in defining and presenting their cultural heritage stories

* provide a first class welcome to anyone interacting with, and enjoying, the National Park and its special qualities.

The NPA works closely with WAG and CCW and with its partner authorities to deliver its remits for conservation, recreation and community in the area. Both Monmouthshire and Blaenau Gwent Councils appoint members to the NPA. While the NPA does not own any significant areas of land within Clydach Gorge it does own and manage the Govilon Line which now forms the lower part of NCR 46 leading into the Gorge.

Also of relevance is the Unitary Development Plan for the Park which was approved in 2007. The Unitary Development Plan is the primary policy document for all planning purposes including planning applications. In relation to recreation the Plan states:

‘Proposals which enable access to opportunities for enjoyment of the National Park will be permitted where:

(i) the proposal is sustainable in terms of its impact on both the environment and the community within which it is located

(ii) there are no unacceptable impacts on areas which are vulnerable to recreational pressure’.

C14 Special Area Of Conservation Management Plans

CCW has produced Core Management Plans, including conservation objectives, for both the Special Areas of Conservation in this area. They set out what needs to be achieved on the sites, the results of monitoring and provide advice on the action required. They are available through CCW’s web site and may be revised in response to changing circumstances or new information. One of their key functions is to provide CCW’s statement of the Conservation Objectives for each Natura 2000 site as required to implement the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994.

The Usk Bat Sites SAC is very extensive and includes the northern edge of Clydach Gorge. For this area the plan states:

‘There are problems with dumping, including abandoned cars in some areas of woodland. Invasive sycamore may also be a problem, as are the potential effects from proposed road widening, which should be subject to appropriate assessment in relation to the Habitats Regulations’.

The Cwm Clydach SAC is more relevant as it covers a large part of the study area. The important features are described in Section 3 of the main report. The conservation status of the site is judged to be favourable with no outstanding management issues.

The legal significance of the two SACs are reflected in the need for a rigorous assessment of plans or projects which affect such sites. The Habitats Directive states:

‘Any plan or project not directly connected with or necessary to the management of the site but likely to have a significant effect thereon, either individually or in combination with other projects, shall be subject to appropriate assessment of its implications for the site in view of the site’s conservation objectives’.

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The first stage of the process is screening to consider whether impacts are likely to be significant. It will be necessary to carry out a screening exercise when any specific projects in either of the SACs are considered in detail. This process identifies the likely impacts whether alone, or in combination with other projects or plans, and considers whether these impacts are likely to be significant. The next stage is to consider potential mitigation of impacts and alternative ways of achieving the objectives of the project that avoid adverse impacts on the integrity of the site. The final stage is an assessment of compensatory measures where the project is allowed to proceed because of over-riding public interest. If at the screening stage no adverse impacts are identified there is no need to carry out subsequent stages.

C15 The Historic Landscape

In 1998, the consultants Babtie Group Ltd studied the archaeology of the road corridor as part of the Environmental Statement accompanying the Draft Scheme Order for the A465 dualling proposal. The study only covered a strip of 50m on either side but that included much of the historic interest in the Gorge. The report ranked all features of interest as of national importance, regional, local or damaged, it assessed the likely impact of the road-works and recommended mitigation where possible.

This work was subsequently expanded by the Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust in 2004 with its Historic Landscape Characterisation for the whole of the Gorge. The non-statutory Register of Historic Landscapes in Wales published in 1998 provided a national overview of the historic landscapes of Wales and Clydach Gorge was one of thirty-six areas designated as a Landscape of Special Historic Interest. The Register was a joint initiative between Cadw, CCW, ICOMOS (the International Council on Monuments and Sites) and the Welsh Archaeological Trusts.

The next stage was to provide more detailed local information through the process known as historic landscape characterisation. The report, prepared for Cadw in 2004 by the Glamorgan Gwent Archaeological Trust, describes the Cwm Clydach historic landscape in great detail and makes recommendations for its positive management. The descriptions are given against a background of threats ‘from a wide variety of agencies, both public and private, in particular from landscape improvement, reclamation, road and urban renewal schemes’

Nine historic landscape character areas are identified for Cwm Clydach and the key features in each area are described. A key recommendation was that an extensive programme of further survey work be carried out as a basis for conservation of the main sites and features.

C16 BBNP Rights Of Way Improvement Plan

The Rights of Way Improvement Plan has been produced as required by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 following the principles laid down in Welsh Assembly Government Guidance. It has involved a fundamental review of the condition of the public rights of way network, how it is managed and how it can be improved for the benefit of its users and potential users. Production of the Plan was also seen as an opportunity to identify the necessary staff and financial resources required to improve and maintain this network. The Plan refers to the relevant Community Strategies and Local Transport Plans which all develop a number of consistent themes:

* the need to consider walking and cycling as alternative modes of transport to the use of motor vehicles and to make appropriate provision for this

* the importance of walking, cycling and horse-riding as recreational activities

* the role that access to the countryside on foot, by bicycle and on horseback can play in improving the physical health and mental well being of the population.

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The policies developed in the Rights of Way Improvement Plan support these three themes of transport, recreation and health. The NPA recognises that Public Rights of Way are the single most important means by which people can enjoy the countryside and that its public rights of way network is core to its work. It therefore sees the Plan as a ten year strategic document which is a major opportunity for the Park Authority to thoroughly overhaul access opportunities and to ensure that it delivers countryside access that truly meets the present and future needs of users, landowners and other interests.

The Plan refers to the NPA’s Walking Tourism Strategy which stresses the importance of the public rights of way network stating:

‘The public path network is quite simply the largest visitor attraction in the Park and is the foundation of the area’s tourism income. Authorities that fail to make the necessary investment risk losing market share to competing areas that are able to offer more accessible countryside.’

The strategy envisages the Park becoming ‘widely known as a lead exemplar of sustainable tourism with key partners from the statutory, commercial, voluntary and community sectors working together to develop the industry. Tourism should become an increasingly important part of the Park’s local economy and should contribute towards the vitality of local communities and the integrity of the environment’.

The Plan also refers to the Park’s Cycling Strategy which aims to:

* maximise the role of cycling as a form of recreation, tourism and transport for residents and visitors to and within the Park

* develop cycle tourism as a significant part of the overall economy of the National Park and its communities

* enhance the cycling infrastructure in the Park to meet the needs of the core potential visitor markets and promoting economic development through sustainable tourism

* enhance supporting infrastructure for cycle tourism

* increase publicity for cycling for all journey purposes.

The Plan identifies key needs for disabled users:

* more information in a variety of formats and better route descriptions

* tactile waymarking for shorter circular routes

* clearly defined paths

* more car parking

* more car parking areas with improved facilities for disabled people.

The need for more short themed walks is highlighted by the Plan plus the need for better links between public transport and promoted walks and better information on routes and associated facilities such as parking.

C17 Forestry Commission Wales : Strategic Action Plan For Mountain Biking 2005 - 2007

Forestry Commission Wales (FCW) has been at the forefront of developing the mountain biking product in the British Isles since it established three trails at Coed y Brenin in 1995. It has set out to establish world class mountain bike destinations with high quality, purpose built trails and supporting facilities to encourage overnight stays at Nant y Arian, Glwydyr Forest,

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Afan Forest Park and Cwmcarn as well as Coed y Brenin. It has also worked with local partners at Brechfa and Dyfi Forests and supported a highly successful private sector development at Llandegla whilst Machynlleth and Llanwrtyd Wells have been developed as trail riding centres.

New visitor centres have been created at Afan Forest Park, Nant y Arian, Coed y Brenin and Cwmcarn and additional trails are in the pipeline. There has been a huge growth in usage but this has highlighted issues associated with maintenance, management and on-going enhancement of the product and also managing unofficial mountain biking, especially downhilling, in some of the forests particularly in South Wales.

The Strategic Action Plan seeks to:

* identify priorities for FCW investment in maintenance, management and improvement of the mountain biking product

* identify opportunities and priorities for further developing of the product.

The key drivers for investment in mountain biking are:

* the increasing level of demand

* economic benefit in rural communities

* achieving the health agenda

* contributing to the national ‘Climbing Higher’ Strategy

* benefits in relation to community development, social inclusion, volunteering etc

* legal responsibilities to manage public access on the FCW estate.

Some 24 trails have been developed at the key centres whilst there are a further 4 at Llandegla (near Wrexham) developed by UPM Tilhill. The primary marketing tool has been the Visit Wales Mountain Biking Wales Campaign with its mbwales.com website, established in 2001, which regularly attracts up to 2 million ‘hits’ per month.

User numbers at the five main sites rose steeply from 34,753 (2002) to 145,833 (2004) and have continued to rise to around 220,000 (2008). User satisfaction is high but enhanced waymarking, showers and changing facilities, bike shop, café etc are increasingly seen as essential prerequisites.

The key issues relating to the management and development of mountain biking on FCW sites include:

* the need for effective management and maintenance of existing trails

* increasing competition and pressure to develop facilities on other sites to meet local community aspirations

* the need to manage unofficial mountain biking more effectively.

There is a view that Wales is nearing saturation in terms of the provision of cross country trails but that there is a good development potential for downhill courses and jump spots plus growing demand for four cross tracks and dual slalom courses in some areas.

The priorities are to:

* improve the quality of the existing mountain biking product

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* to complete projects already in the pipeline

* to resist new mountain bike trail development unless there is proven unsatisfied demand

* improve the management of unofficial downhilling and jumping.

An Action Programme is set out including developing mountain biking events, emphasising a long term commitment to mountain biking and the need for a Mountain Bike Champion who has since been appointed.

The growth in user numbers since 2002 has been remarkable and can be summarised as follows:

Afan Coed y Cwmcarn Gwydyr Nant y Total Forest Brenin Arian All FCW Park Sites 2002 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 34,753 2003 26,752 42,563 15,789 26,395 10,991 122,580 2004 47,159 37,632 22,358 26,871 11,813 145,833 2005 52,437 38,901 41,003 23,861 10,388 166,590 2006 60,960 40,289 54,544 20,367 9,781 195,483 2007 59,857 42,289 64,415 18,745 10,839 213,830 2008 33,922 17,303 43,903 8,171 5,862 119,600 Jan-Jun 2008 c. 68,000 c. 35,000 c. 88,000 c. 16,000 c. 12,000 c.219,000 Estimate % growth 224% -1% 408% -29% -1.5% 174% 2003-2007

This illustrates that the two sites close to the M4 corridor, which have excellent accessibility to centres of population and particularly Bristol and Birmingham, are experiencing significant and sustained growth whilst the sites further west appear to have plateaued. The private sector facility at Llandegla, which is close to the Merseyside and Manchester conurbations, is also experiencing significant growth probably at the expense of Gwydyr Forest and Coed y Brenin.

FCW are seeking EU Convergence funding to upgrade the existing trails in the context of Health and Safety concerns and to develop additional lower grade trails and skills development areas at Coed y Brenin and Afan Forest Park.

Clydach Gorge is already used for recreational cycling (along the NCR 46), road cycling and informal off-road cycling. There are opportunities to develop specific waymarked combo-routes utilising the steep off road topography, NCR 46 and narrow lanes which bring cyclists through settlements and past the pubs. Evidence suggests that facilities which are easily accessible will be well used. Clydach Gorge comes into this category.

C18 Access Land

Rights of Way and permissive routes are only part of access provision. The Countryside and Rights of Way Act provided a right of access on foot over Access Land as mapped by the Countryside Council for Wales. In practice this has had virtually no effect in the project area as nearly all the Access Land was common land anyway. Urban Commons such as The Blorenge and Mynydd Llangattock have had a right of access on foot ‘for air and exercise’ since the Law of Property Act of 1925. (Urban Commons are those commons which fell wholly or partly within an Urban District Council area). The Countryside Rights of Way (CROW) Act had no effect on urban commons. On rural commons, such as Gilwern Hill, there was no

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general legal right of access on foot but the de facto situation was that walking on these commons was never prevented.

Cyclists have no general rights on any commons while horse riders normally have a right to ride on urban commons but not on rural commons. The distinction is unlikely to be enforced in the Clydach Gorge area unless specific problems arise. Cyclists and riders can, of course, cross commons on public bridleways.

C19 LANDMAP

LANDMAP is the national information system, devised by the Countryside Council for Wales to give landscape guidance for planning and decision-making purposes. Landscape reports and mapping are divided into:

* Visual and Sensory

* Landscape Habitat

* Cultural

* Geological.

The Brecknock LANDMAP covers a large area of 1,783 square kilometres including Brecon Beacons National Park together with parts of Monmouthshire, Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent. These database studies are only the first stage in a process which will require updating, verification on the ground and linking to more specific information/databases such as Local Biodiversity Action Plans. However, of particular relevance is the Cultural Study as Clydach Gorge represents a specific Aspect Area (No.2) rather than being subsumed into other broad characterisation areas. The Study recognises Clydach Gorge as being part of the Blaenavon World Heritage landscape:

* as a Cultural Aspect Area, Clydach Gorge is described as ‘a largely relict landscape representing a compact and integrated microcosm of the industrial past of Wales’

* its tolerance to change is described as ‘low’ but ‘as an important component part of the Blaenavon World Heritage landscape it is likely to be managed sympathetically’

* further, it notes that ‘the sense of community still prevails despite the loss of former industries, with evidence of surviving social culture in chapels and public houses.’

C20 Conclusion

In this section we have identified and reviewed the wide ranging documents at national, regional and local level which are relevant to Clydach Gorge.

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Appendix D

Gateway Theory

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APPENDIX D : GATEWAY THEORY

D1 What Is A Gateway?

From work undertaken for Torfaen County Borough Council as part of the Boundless Parks Naturally! project in 2005 we defined a gateway as:

‘the point of engagement with visitors and local people as they set out to explore protected areas’

Gateways can take different forms but are an integral part of the overall visitor experience which encompasses every step along the way of a ‘visit’ to a protected landscape from:

* making the decision to visit (often in the home many miles away from the site)

* the arrival at the site

* the range of facilities provided to enable the visitor to enjoy the best possible experience

* the experience itself

* the departure and post-visit experience

* associated visitor support infrastructure (accommodation, food and drink etc)

* associated brand destination.

D2 What Is Visitor Communication?

* referral – this is the information provided to visitors at the end of a visit to Clydach Gorge, or other protected landscape, which helps them to appreciate what else is on offer and encourages them to visit other places in the vicinity such as BBNP, WHS or VRP. These are usually provided at exit points eg. the exit from a visitor centre, the walk to the car park or as the visitor drives out of the site. The objective is to raise awareness of other opportunities for the visitor and to influence their future attitudes and behaviour which can lead to return, or repeat, visits

* interpretation – the media by which the themes and stories about Clydach Gorge, or other protected landscapes, are communicated to the visitor. Finding the most

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appropriate place for interpretation is a key issue in helping the visitor appreciate what is so special about a site. It should be the ‘natural point’ which we call the genius loci. The choice of site is particularly important and should be on the route along which visitors naturally walk or travel.

D3 Gateways Are An Integral Part Of Visitor Management

Nor should we ignore the objectives of stakeholders:

* to maximise awareness

* to influence visitor behaviour

* to conserve and enhance the ecological importance of a site

* to ensure partnership with other organisations having a role and interest in the protected landscape.

These factors are all fed into the Visitor Management Plan and influence the nature, role and function of the gateway at the end of the day.

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D4 Pre-visit ‘Gateways’ Are Crucial To Raising Initial Awareness And Understanding

In relation to our definition of gateways, ‘the point of engagement with visitors’ it is clear that this can include pre-visit engagement with Clydach Gorge by a variety of media each of which can be called a remote ‘gateway’. This includes:

* web sites

They are increasingly recognised as the key communication media for today and tomorrow in tourism terms. Welsh Assembly Government are promoting the use of computers as the only sustainable way forward and anticipate that over 80% of the population will be computer literate within 10 years.

* Tourist Information Centres (or Tourist Offices)

The traditional source of pre-visit visitor information in the UK is a Tourist Information Centre. In relation to Clydach Gorge the most important TICs are in Abergavenny, Crickhowell and the St Peter’s Centre Blaenavon

* print for visitors

These tend to be of three types:

- ‘area wide’ brochures at county level raising awareness and understanding in the hearts and minds of potential visitors identifying what is special about an area with information on things to see and do, attractions and accommodation. In this case we have the brochure for Brecon Beacons and ‘Get Lost in the Wye Valley and Vale of Usk’ and efforts should be made to ensure Clydach Gorge is recognised and included in both

- ‘site specific’ brochures, leaflets or fliers with such things as opening times, how to get there, what to see and do

- site specific newspapers as produced in the National Park

* railway stations can be the starting point of a circular walk into surrounding countryside. The provision of an orientation panel, plus a leaflet, enables the visitor to use the countryside around Abergavenny in a sustainable way and have the confidence to follow a route which returns to that or the next station in time for a train

* publications

There has been a growth in guide books and other publications about the history, character and culture of the area which help the visitor understand a little about the place, what is available and enable them to effectively plan their visit. These can be purchased in Tourist Information Centres, retail outlets and, increasingly, ‘on-line’. They represent an essential pre-visit ‘gateway’ for potential visitors

* tourism and directional signage

Again, with the explosion of new facilities and attractions over the past 20 years coupled with the fact that the majority of visitors come to Clydach Gorge, WHS or BBNP by car, the role of white on brown tourism and directional signage is crucial in ensuring the visitor arrives safely and directly and in the right frame of mind to enjoy their visit. We already have white on brown signage off the A465 for Clydach Gorge

* press articles and holiday TV programmes

Both have enormous influence on the attitude and perceptions of local people and visitors. For instance, a circular walk published in the local weekly newspaper, or one

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of the Saturday papers, can generate an immediate increase in visits to the area (particularly on the Sunday)

* use of modern technology

There is increasing use of modern communication technology to assist visitors before, and after, they arrive in a National Park or protected landscape. This not only includes a wide range of web sites but also mobile phone technology and digital radio which can provide up to date messages on traffic movements, weather, events and activities, what to see and do and accommodation availability.

Mobile phones, MP3 players and PDA’s could well become a really valuable medium for orientation and interpretation in the future. The Node Explorer is already being successfully used in association with an interactive website at Stourhead and in Braunton (North Devon). However, this technology is still in its infancy and many people still require the reassurance of maps and printed literature. There is also the potential issue of airtime cost (particularly for pay-as-you-go users), the perception that the phone company is benefiting rather than the protected landscape and finally issues of variable reception particularly in remote areas.

Each of the above media can be described as a pre-visit ‘gateway’.

D5 Boundary Markers Are Gateways

Having decided to visit Clydach Gorge, or BBNP and WHS, it is important that the visitor knows that they have actually entered the area in question. This raises awareness and understanding that the visitor is entering a special area and can also be used as part of the branding and marketing of the area. Different organisations use different approaches:

* the Forestry Commission tend to have a large gateway sign at the boundary to their areas

* National Parks use distinctive markers to define their boundaries eg. the millstone (Peak District), the Celtic cross (North Yorkshire Moors) or the beacon for Brecon Beacons National Park. A Brecon Beacon ‘beacon’ has recently been erected on the A465 on the westbound carriageway just east of the new Gilwern roundabout

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* Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site has created a logo and corporate identity and erected boundary signs on the key access roads into the area. They are dramatic and achieve the overall objective of raising awareness and understanding that the visitor is entering a special place.

D3 Laybys Are Gateways And Offer An Essential First Level Of Visitor Orientation

The first thing visitors need when they enter a park, or protected area, is visitor orientation and information. This can, and should where possible, be provided in a layby on the access road ideally within 1km of the boundary (a longer distance may be necessary if the situation dictates). It should be supported by clear pre-arrival signage highlighting that visitor information is available at 500m (with a repeater sign at 200m). There is a layby suitable for this on the A465 in the vicinity of Govilon.

This visitor orientation and information point should include a range of information including:

* welcome and introduction to the protected area and what makes it special

* introduce the range of things to see and do

* provide essential what’s on and where information

* provide clear directions as to where more detailed information is available and, in particular, where the whole story of the park, or protected area, is presented (the visitor centre if appropriate)

* introduce the interpretive themes and stories

* clear maps showing viewpoints, trails, parking areas etc

* the potential to leave the car and explore part of the park, or protected landscape, from that point whether on foot, bicycle or bus.

The design of the visitor orientation and information point, and the materials used, should respond to the site and setting. It may be a shelter structure or a simple one sided orientation panel using a lectern style. The graphic design needs to be consistent with the overall housestyle and logo.

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D4 Secondary Entrances Are Also Gateways

Although some protected landscapes have only one entrance and exit (particularly the smaller ones) many parks, or protected areas, have a variety of entrances reflecting how the surrounding road network relates to the park.

In philosophical terms each road entrance, whether on a main road or narrow lane, is a gateway in its own right and should have a boundary sign which raises visitors’ awareness and appreciation that they are entering a special area. The boundary signs should be the same at each entrance and ideally supported by a standard approach to the planning and provision of visitor welcome, orientation, information, interpretation and associated services. The level of provision should reflect the level of usage the access road attracts. Secondary accesses clearly do not require the same level of layby provision as the main access into a park.

D5 Visitor Attractions Are Also Gateways

Within a protected area, whether it be Clydach Gorge or Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site, there are a variety of places which by their very nature eg. a viewpoint such as Llanelly Quarry or on the Hafod Road, landscape or cultural feature such as Clydach Old Station, a visitor attraction (Big Pit or Blaenavon Ironworks in Blaenavon) or a manmade lake (Keepers Pond, Blaenavon) attract visitors. They would normally have informal car parking and varying levels of visitor facilities eg. toilets, information and interpretation. Some might be the beginning of walking trails and are specific gateways to that trail and as such they can be called a secondary gateway. They all have one thing in common : they are a magnet for visitors and can, therefore, play a key part in ‘the engagement of visitors as they set out to explore the protected area’.

Visitor orientation and information is most effective where visitors congregate. They can be described as dispersed gateways and have a key role to play in visitor orientation, information, interpretation and referral (to encourage visitors to also go to other sites in the Gorge or protected area).

Gateways should all include:

* visitor orientation and information for the whole protected area

* introductory interpretation

* what there is to see and do and how to find it

* what’s on and where

* where the main visitor facilities are located.

Some could also include a mobile tourist office, picnic area and toilet facilities. The quality of the overall visitor experience is important. Sites should be designed to a high standard in landscape and architectural terms and feel ‘good’ to be in.

Lastly, on site interpretive programmes developed or provided at dispersed gateways eg. guided walks, events, demonstrations, activities (particularly with face to face ranger presence) are also intellectual gateways to the protected landscape for visitors.

D6 People Can Also Be Gateways

What is clear is that people working in the countryside or park, including rangers (wardens), or in the nearby community, who interface (or engage) with visitors are ambassadors, or gateways in their own right, for the park. Research undertaken by the former Wales Tourist

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Board has shown that personal recommendation is the most powerful and effective marketing (a typical person will tell 3 people about a good experience and 7 about a bad one!)

If the staff in the protected landscape but also in a hotel, bed and breakfast, campsite, supermarket, restaurant or pub are not only friendly, but also knowledgeable and speak other languages, then they can play an important role in proactively promoting the park, or protected landscape, and influencing visitors’ attitudes and behaviour. Alvin Nicolas Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site Ranger engaging visitors in Riflegreen Car Park

D7 A Gateway Is Also A Point Of Departure From The Park Or Protected Area

The gateway, or entry point, to the protected area is also a leaving point. The greeting ‘have a nice day’ may be ridiculed but it reflects the essence of what should be said to the visitor as they leave : ‘thank you for coming, hope you enjoyed your visit, safe journey home, please come again and tell your friends’. This is also a useful place at which to promote forthcoming events to encourage repeat visits.

The rear side of the boundary gateway sign (which ideally should be on both sides of the road) has the opportunity to communicate these messages which should generate a ‘feel good’ factor in the hearts and minds of the visitor. ‘They do care about me, I was welcome, I did enjoy my visit and, yes, I will come again and tell my friends’.

D8 Conclusion : What Does This Tell Us?

What this research has indicated is that there is a wide variety of elements, or features, which can legitimately be described as ‘gateways’. They are all ‘the point of engagement with visitors and local people as they set out to explore the protected area’. In particular they:

* reach out and engage with visitors

* raise visitor awareness that they are entering somewhere special and why it is so special

* provide essential visitor services to meet visitor needs where and when they want them

* should carry the destination brand and evoke an emotional response to the site and capture the sense of place which can stimulate caring, involvement and volunteering

* stimulate, excite and motivate visitors to go out and explore the protected area in a responsible manner

* generate economic benefit within the protected area and surrounding area by sustaining existing jobs and creating new ones.

Some parks have one central point or focus to which all visitors are encouraged to go eg. the park visitor centre. Some of these are located on the edge and others in the middle. Nevertheless, they can be called centralised gateways eg. the St Peter’s World Heritage Centre Blaenavon.

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In other protected areas there are a range of sites and features which attract visitors but nowhere that provides the range of facilities and services that are provided by a park visitor centre. These include viewpoints, cultural and natural heritage sites and features etc as in Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site and these are called decentralised or dispersed gateways.

Others can be called ‘remote gateways’ because they represent ‘gateways to learning’ about the protected landscape for visitors before they come like a web site, tourist office etc.

Finally, we have introduced the term intellectual gateway by which we mean face to face contact with rangers on a guided walk, event, demonstration, activity or talk whereby the ranger becomes the means by which the visitor find out about, and is inspired by, the protected landscape and has the information through which to go out and enjoy it.

What is clear is that every site has its own set of needs and requirements and the design solution should reflect this.

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Appendix E

A465 Traffic Data

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MONTHLY SUMMARY REPORT A465 Gilwern Grid Ref: Site Reference 104651199191 Direction : eastbound Total Flow From Saturday 1 January 2005 to Wednesday 31 December 2008

Monday - Friday Monday - Sunday Monday - Friday Monday - Sunday am am pm pm am am pm pm 12hr 16hr 18hr 24hr 12hr 16hr 18hr 24hr Peak Peak Peak Peak Peak Peak Peak Peak Hour Flow Hour Flow Hour Flow Hour Flow Jan-05 ------Feb-05 ------Mar-05 ------Apr-05 9022 10393 10558 10946 8337 9587 9751 10090 08:00 1085 16:00 824 08:00 882 16:00 746 May-05 9245 10582 10770 11127 8528 9798 9985 10307 08:00 1086 17:00 777 08:00 887 13:00 737 Jun-05 9196 10545 10749 11122 8461 9724 9923 10260 08:00 1116 17:00 802 08:00 898 13:00 741 Jul-05 9031 10401 10598 10958 8315 9603 9799 10125 08:00 1060 17:00 783 08:00 856 13:00 724 Aug-05 8714 10022 10212 10544 8116 9369 9559 9859 08:00 952 17:00 761 08:00 780 13:00 724 Sep-05 8919 10229 10404 10767 8273 9483 9656 9989 08:00 1083 17:00 785 08:00 880 13:00 713 Oct-05 8663 9923 10084 10440 7971 9124 9285 9605 08:00 1035 17:00 766 08:00 842 13:00 701 Nov-05 8669 9893 10061 10405 7883 8991 9155 9462 08:00 1081 16:00 753 08:00 872 13:00 693 Dec-05 7896 9003 9182 9523 7249 8253 8424 8730 08:00 856 13:00 700 08:00 698 13:00 681 Jan-06 7032 6454 6563 6824 5948 5693 5800 6048 08:00 754 13:00 652 08:00 555 13:00 572 Feb-06 ------Mar-06 8780 10021 10238 10627 8129 9256 9461 9824 08:00 989 13:00 777 08:00 809 13:00 765 Apr-06 8176 9342 9511 9823 7570 8652 8820 9102 08:00 845 13:00 714 08:00 699 13:00 695 May-06 8251 9465 9640 9982 7643 8811 8985 9294 08:00 972 17:00 704 08:00 793 13:00 664 Jun-06 8598 9881 10061 10412 7939 9145 9326 9642 08:00 1078 17:00 739 08:00 875 13:00 677 Jul-06 8596 9902 10097 10450 7910 9134 9329 9647 08:00 1055 17:00 727 08:00 851 13:00 683 Aug-06 8405 9675 9847 10176 7817 9011 9182 9484 08:00 915 17:00 742 08:00 754 13:00 707 Sep-06 8626 9900 10070 10426 7975 9152 9320 9645 08:00 1056 17:00 759 08:00 860 17:00 679 Oct-06 8481 9703 9867 10220 7783 8897 9055 9376 08:00 1051 17:00 738 08:00 855 17:00 661 Nov-06 8328 9504 9666 10026 7570 8627 8785 9104 08:00 1027 16:00 697 08:00 835 13:00 645 Dec-06 7191 8227 8398 8705 6744 7688 7855 8141 08:00 770 13:00 628 08:00 636 13:00 621 Jan-07 6919 7832 7964 8268 6295 7140 7271 7538 08:00 806 13:00 646 08:00 645 13:00 613 Feb-07 ------

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Monday - Friday Monday - Sunday Monday - Friday Monday - Sunday am am pm pm am am pm pm 12hr 16hr 18hr 24hr 12hr 16hr 18hr 24hr Peak Peak Peak Peak Peak Peak Peak Peak Hour Flow Hour Flow Hour Flow Hour Flow Mar-07 8579 9793 9973 10251 8025 9137 9312 9579 08:00 1028 16:00 752 08:00 859 13:00 676 Apr-07 8342 9571 9741 10060 7757 8896 9064 9350 08:00 943 17:00 731 08:00 778 13:00 675 May-07 8381 9602 9774 10093 7685 8800 8972 9261 08:00 959 17:00 728 08:00 788 13:00 666 Jun-07 8532 9795 9960 10306 7830 8993 9164 9478 08:00 1039 17:00 749 08:00 836 17:00 665 Jul-07 8384 9651 9823 10170 7696 8854 9023 9342 08:00 986 17:00 750 08:00 797 17:00 668 Aug-07 8707 9998 10163 10508 8059 9262 9427 9736 08:00 939 17:00 772 08:00 772 12:00 712 Sep-07 8571 9836 9992 10352 7920 9079 9234 9556 08:00 1031 17:00 791 08:00 842 17:00 700 Oct-07 8445 9655 9811 10165 7738 8821 8974 9288 08:00 1029 17:00 749 08:00 835 13:00 668 Nov-07 8253 9451 9607 9963 7551 8616 8767 9078 08:00 1033 17:00 726 08:00 837 17:00 642 Dec-07 ------Jan-08 ------Feb-08 ------Mar-08 ------Apr-08 ------May-08 8339 9578 9748 10096 7681 8809 8977 9291 08:00 942 17:00 722 08:00 777 13:00 678 Jun-08 8891 10181 10357 10729 8149 9331 9505 9838 08:00 1116 17:00 799 08:00 900 17:00 705 Jul-08 9101 10411 10572 7341 - - - - 08:00 1133 17:00 825 - - - -

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MONTHLY SUMMARY REPORT A465 Gilwern Grid Ref: Site Reference 104651199191 Direction : westbound Total Flow From Saturday 1 January 2005 to Wednesday 31 December 2008

Monday - Friday Monday - Sunday Monday - Friday Monday - Sunday am am pm pm am am pm pm 12hr 16hr 18hr 24hr 12hr 16hr 18hr 24hr Peak Peak Peak Peak Peak Peak Peak Peak Hour Flow Hour Flow Hour Flow Hour Flow Jan-05 ------Feb-05 ------Mar-05 ------Apr-05 9072 10447 10705 11000 8318 9603 9862 10145 08:00 808 16:00 1067 08:00 638 16:00 969 May-05 9131 10564 10879 11127 8474 9815 10123 10380 08:00 820 17:00 1053 08:00 654 17:00 950 Jun-05 9188 10647 10996 11233 8364 9723 10063 10312 08:00 825 17:00 1095 08:00 650 16:00 982 Jul-05 8900 10371 10742 10992 8155 9543 9904 10168 08:00 806 17:00 1038 08:00 636 17:00 941 Aug-05 8492 9915 10240 10493 7885 9247 9569 9826 08:00 639 17:00 999 11:00 617 16:00 914 Sep-05 8744 10119 10434 10688 8053 9351 9656 9921 08:00 815 17:00 1059 08:00 641 17:00 956 Oct-05 8534 9802 10121 10373 7823 8995 9297 9553 08:00 768 17:00 1028 08:00 604 17:00 923 Nov-05 8682 9903 10200 10423 7832 8944 9225 9453 08:00 828 17:00 1065 08:00 643 16:00 929 Dec-05 7938 9033 9336 9561 7257 8254 8532 8771 08:00 614 16:00 948 11:00 588 16:00 861 Jan-06 6918 6322 6516 6714 5841 5573 5761 5970 08:00 574 16:00 854 08:00 428 16:00 723 Feb-06 ------Mar-06 8847 10092 10435 10690 8144 9271 9590 9871 08:00 711 16:00 1051 11:00 661 16:00 960 Apr-06 7905 9164 9452 9662 7266 8430 8713 8936 11:00 588 17:00 970 11:00 570 16:00 871 May-06 7933 9224 9522 9737 7377 8580 8872 9092 08:00 705 17:00 964 08:00 561 17:00 867 Jun-06 8324 9636 9951 10182 7605 8852 9161 9395 08:00 756 17:00 993 08:00 605 16:00 887 Jul-06 8323 9682 10017 10240 7630 8914 9238 9471 08:00 726 17:00 1010 11:00 580 17:00 896 Aug-06 8121 9468 9770 9974 7522 8792 9089 9308 08:00 604 17:00 979 11:00 580 17:00 885 Sep-06 8268 9599 9885 10100 7605 8852 9131 9359 08:00 729 17:00 1000 08:00 578 17:00 903 Oct-06 8155 9392 9679 9906 7453 8595 8870 9102 08:00 743 17:00 1020 08:00 586 17:00 904 Nov-06 8125 9275 9560 9808 7378 8432 8696 8942 08:00 722 17:00 977 08:00 571 16:00 874 Dec-06 ------

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Monday - Friday Monday - Sunday Monday - Friday Monday - Sunday am am pm pm am am pm pm 12hr 16hr 18hr 24hr 12hr 16hr 18hr 24hr Peak Peak Peak Peak Peak Peak Peak Peak Hour Flow Hour Flow Hour Flow Hour Flow Jan-07 ------Feb-07 ------Mar-07 ------Apr-07 ------May-07 ------Jun-07 ------Jul-07 ------Aug-07 ------Sep-07 ------Oct-07 ------Nov-07 ------Dec-07 ------Jan-08 ------Feb-08 ------Mar-08 ------Apr-08 ------May-08 8072 9327 9600 9831 7445 8608 8869 9101 08:00 622 17:00 966 11:00 563 16:00 868 Jun-08 8678 10045 10334 10590 7908 9183 9459 9712 08:00 764 16:00 1096 08:00 606 16:00 979 Jul-08 8920 10273 10558 7275 - - - - 08:00 789 16:00 1144 - - - -

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MONTHLY SUMMARY REPORT A465 Brynmawr Gwent Grid Ref: Site Reference 104651499140 Direction : eastbound Total Flow From Saturday 1 January 2005 to Sunday 31 December 2006

Monday - Friday Monday - Sunday Monday - Friday Monday - Sunday am am pm pm am am pm pm 12hr 16hr 18hr 24hr 12hr 16hr 18hr 24hr Peak Peak Peak Peak Peak Peak Peak Peak Hour Flow Hour Flow Hour Flow Hour Flow Jan-05 8686 9791 9977 10234 7669 8654 8826 9058 08:00 860 16:00 916 08:00 671 16:00 793 Feb-05 9062 10228 10420 10700 8061 9125 9305 9559 08:00 865 16:00 965 08:00 684 16:00 823 Mar-05 8948 10125 10319 10603 8076 9147 9331 9590 08:00 815 16:00 925 11:00 694 16:00 795 Apr-05 9376 10643 10845 11132 8562 9723 9912 10172 08:00 889 16:00 1002 08:00 715 16:00 896 May-05 9481 10753 10966 11257 8634 9833 10035 10304 08:00 873 16:00 976 11:00 728 16:00 862 Jun-05 9412 10712 10936 11239 8584 9788 10003 10282 08:00 908 16:00 1001 08:00 732 16:00 887 Jul-05 9176 10495 10710 11003 8360 9593 9803 10074 08:00 885 16:00 909 08:00 714 16:00 818 Aug-05 9076 10335 10547 10815 8339 9535 9739 9988 08:00 768 16:00 933 11:00 734 16:00 841 Sep-05 9337 10589 10786 11079 8552 9700 9890 10163 08:00 925 16:00 982 08:00 750 16:00 874 Oct-05 9113 10295 10484 10770 8268 9341 9523 9787 08:00 893 16:00 963 08:00 720 16:00 856 Nov-05 8878 10012 10207 10478 7983 9002 9186 9436 08:00 904 16:00 935 08:00 722 16:00 825 Dec-05 8968 10024 10202 10480 7893 8849 9024 9279 08:00 928 16:00 1000 08:00 734 16:00 856 Jan-06 ------Feb-06 9133 10319 10521 10801 8033 9087 9272 9523 08:00 839 16:00 960 11:00 677 16:00 818 Mar-06 8733 9894 10087 10373 7836 8885 9064 9324 08:00 817 16:00 915 08:00 656 16:00 784 Apr-06 7583 8593 8762 8991 6910 7842 8002 8213 08:00 648 16:00 780 11:00 596 16:00 696 May-06 7671 8650 8806 9046 7069 7991 8144 8359 08:00 722 16:00 790 08:00 592 16:00 708 Jun-06 ------Jul-06 ------Aug-06 ------Sep-06 ------

Clydach Gorge Countryside Recreation Visitor Gateways - Clydach Gorge - Volume II Final Report and Technical Appendices (March 2009) Page Number 147

MONTHLY SUMMARY REPORT A465 Brynmawr Gwent Grid Ref: Site Reference 104651499140 Direction : westbound Total Flow From Saturday 1 January 2005 to Sunday 31 December 2006

Monday - Friday Monday - Sunday Monday - Friday Monday - Sunday am am pm pm am am pm pm 12hr 16hr 18hr 24hr 12hr 16hr 18hr 24hr Peak Peak Peak Peak Peak Peak Peak Peak Hour Flow Hour Flow Hour Flow Hour Flow Jan-05 8719 9789 9993 10266 7628 8577 8777 9031 08:00 1030 16:00 945 08:00 780 16:00 816 Feb-05 9145 10304 10524 10799 8077 9109 9323 9585 08:00 1030 16:00 961 08:00 792 16:00 819 Mar-05 9086 10240 10462 10739 8141 9178 9395 9656 08:00 940 16:00 969 08:00 737 16:00 836 Apr-05 9458 10734 10968 11249 8525 9681 9911 10179 08:00 1027 16:00 1018 08:00 799 16:00 891 May-05 9493 10796 11040 11307 8669 9861 10102 10364 08:00 991 16:00 1004 08:00 779 16:00 889 Jun-05 9504 10863 11125 11402 8552 9777 10035 10307 08:00 1011 16:00 1025 08:00 787 16:00 901 Jul-05 9194 10552 10825 11111 8329 9571 9843 10123 08:00 999 16:00 944 08:00 780 16:00 841 Aug-05 9015 10329 10575 10851 8258 9467 9714 9984 08:00 809 16:00 966 11:00 714 16:00 855 Sep-05 9264 10555 10790 11084 8383 9570 9801 10089 08:00 1038 16:00 994 08:00 806 16:00 888 Oct-05 9038 10233 10471 10758 8136 9218 9448 9729 08:00 996 16:00 964 08:00 771 16:00 855 Nov-05 8966 10143 10367 10637 7988 9031 9247 9511 08:00 1010 16:00 942 08:00 781 16:00 826 Dec-05 8750 9808 10031 10287 7776 8728 8941 9199 08:00 1022 16:00 979 08:00 793 16:00 849 Jan-06 ------Feb-06 9198 10386 10616 10884 8026 9073 9293 9550 08:00 992 16:00 973 08:00 762 16:00 822 Mar-06 8898 10065 10280 10550 7933 8974 9182 9438 08:00 950 16:00 942 08:00 746 16:00 808 Apr-06 7568 8656 8863 9085 6864 7849 8054 8281 08:00 707 16:00 808 11:00 572 16:00 724 May-06 7669 8758 8958 9178 6982 7981 8176 8390 08:00 784 16:00 825 08:00 621 16:00 736 Jun-06 ------Jul-06 ------Aug-06 ------Sep-06 ------

Clydach Gorge Countryside Recreation Visitor Gateways - Clydach Gorge - Volume II Final Report and Technical Appendices (March 2009) Page Number 148

Appendix D

Annual Daily Average Cycle Flow Report SUSTRANS

Clydach Gorge Countryside Recreation Visitor Gateways - Clydach Gorge - Volume II Final Report and Technical AppendicesPage Number 149 (March 2009)

Clydach Gorge Countryside Recreation Visitor Gateways - Clydach Gorge - Volume II Final Report and Technical Appendices (March 2009) Page Number 150

Clydach Gorge Countryside Recreation Visitor Gateways - Clydach Gorge - Volume II Final Report and Technical Appendices (March 2009) Page Number 151

Clydach Gorge Countryside Recreation Visitor Gateways - Clydach Gorge - Volume II Final Report and Technical Appendices (March 2009) Page Number 152