NRM Team Achievements 2017-18

ROW Team

1 application for a definitive map modification order determined 3 applications for definitive map modifications orders being investigated 3 public path orders confirmed 3 public path orders made 3 applications for public path orders approved 3 applications for public path orders consulted upon 34 temporary closures issued £47566 of Rights of Way Improvement Plan Funding Programme spent on 10 projects. Grant fully claimed and annual report submitted to NRW. Two press releases submitted with one being published in the Western Mail Contributed to the three Welsh National Parks response to the Welsh Government’s consultation on SMNR – “Access to Outdoors” 5% survey commenced ROWIP Review – Assessments completed

Wardens Team

571 (five hundred and seventy one) jobs were completed (not including ROWIP projects) – a figure derived from the database 329 bridge surveys completed

Countryside and Access Team Achievements 2016 – 17

2017 – 18 has been a busy year for the Countryside and Access Team and the following projects provides a summary of some of the work that we have been involved in during the year: Rhos Dirion Provided a sustainable path across peat bog/ wet heath at Rhos Dirion in the Black Mountains. This project involved liaising with Welsh Government, the land owner and NRW regarding funding and consents. Practical works included delivery of stone to airlift site, bagging of materials and airlifting over 400 tonnes of stone products to the path. Over 1100 metres of sustainable path has been created with the aim of minimising further erosion of the peat bog. Total Cost: £50300 Funded by: SMS, Welsh Government Craig y Nos Quarry path Provision of a sustainable path across steep ground with poor access for materials and plant. Works included installing a stone aggregate surface path with timber steps and drains. Total path length 400 metres, land in the same ownership as Dan yr Ogof caves. This is an increasingly popular path which is being increasingly promoted. Total Cost: £13000 Funded by: BBNPA legacy funds

Darren Lwyd Path Provided a sustainable path across an area of bog that had been damaged by fire approx. 40 years ago, the path work was undertaken in conjunction with other area based erosion control works detailed separately. This project involved liaising with the land owner and NRW regarding funding and consents. Practical works included delivery of stone to airlift site, bagging of materials and airlifting over 100 tonnes of stone products to the path. 400 metres of sustainable path has been created with the aim of minimising further erosion of the peat bog and other eroded ground. Total Cost: £9500 Funded by: BBNPA legacy funds path work Provision a sustainable path across 720m long across wet heath and blanket bog. This path is very popular with walkers and forms part of a number of circular walks. Practical works included delivery of stone to airlift site, bagging of materials and airlifting over 200 tonnes of stone products to the path. Total Cost: £9500 Funded by: Welsh Government, ROWIP programme. Bailey Walk, Hay on Wye Improvements to 1100 metres of path adjacent to the river Wye at Hay on Wye to make it fully accessible to wheel chair users and others. Land owner and NRW consent required Total Cost: £9800 Funded by: Welsh Government (ROWIP project) and BBNPA. Offa’s Dyke Path Provision of 450 metres of new path across wet heath in and 900 metres in , to the National Trail on the Hatterrall ridge. This project included airlifting of 200 tonnes of stone to the path. Total Cost: £6900 (Wales), £20400 (England) Funded by: NRW (National Trail grant), Natural England (National Trail grant via Herefordshire Council), BBNPA.

Severn Way, near Llanidloes Repair to 900 metres of upland path outside the BBNP. The Severn Way is outside the National Park but BBNPA was asked to provide advice to CC countryside service regarding upland path repairs at the Source of the Severn. PCC subsequently asked BBNPA to undertake the works. Works undertaken by contractors and project managed by BBNPA. Total Cost: £18500 (of which £1850 = BBNPA management fee, £1900 = surplus to BBNPA) Funded by: Powys County Council Waun Fach area Bog restoration The team continued to support the Black Mountains Landscape Partnership. Practical works included blocking 0.8 km of drainage grips at Grwyne Fawr, cutting 1 Ha of molinia dominated bog/heath near Grwyne Fawr, airlifting 300 bags of molinia and heather brash to Waun Fach, laying jute and spreading heather and molinia brash on the Waun Fach plateau, creating timber and jute and wool dams.

Total Cost: £22000 Funded by: NRW, Welsh Govt, SMS, DCWW, BBNPA, Vols

Southern Scar bog restoration The team continued to support the Black Mountains Landscape Partnership. Practical works included cutting 2 Ha of heather dominated bog/heath on the Hatterrall ridge, airlifting 360 bags of heather brash to burn site, laying jute and spreading heather brash on the burn area, creating timber and jute and wool dams. Works also included establishing 6 experimental plots. Total Cost: £10800 Funded by: Welsh Govt, SMS and Natural England Darren Lwyd bog restoration The team continued to support the Black Mountains Landscape Partnership. Practical works included cutting 1 Ha of heather dominated bog/heath on the ridge, airlifting 250 bags of heather brash to burn site, laying jute and spreading heather brash on the burn area, creating timber and jute and wool dams. Total Cost: £8800 Funded by: Welsh Govt, SMS Volunteering During 2017 – 18 upland volunteering has been supported by an SDF grant which has enabled us to extend our work with Gwent Drug and alcohol Service and we have also established a new conservation group. The volunteers use our bespoke interactive web page to manage work and during the year have undertaken approx. 3000 hours of work on behalf of the BBNPA. Funded by: SDF Reservoir Passport Scheme / access to water During 2017 22 reservoir passports were issued. RB also attends the Wye and Usk Foundation Navigation Group which supports navigation on the rivers Wye and Usk. Local Access Forum Provision of Secretariat. During 2017 20 new members were recruited to the LAF. Total Projects Budget: £200 497.00