New gates improve safety and accessibility on popular walking routes

Several popular footpaths in the Caergwrle area have been greatly enhanced through recent installations by Flintshire County Council’s Access and Environment Service and local contractors.

With funding through the Welsh Government’s Access Improvement Grant (AIG), a total of 11 stiles will have been removed and replaced with the easy-access alternative of a kissing gate or a stand-alone gate.

The benefits will be appreciated by those following the Wales Link Path and the Llanfynydd to Caergwrle route within the Ramblers Paths to Wellbeing project.

It also comes at a good time for those that have picked up one of the recently re-published Flintshire Rural Walks booklets and take on the Caergwrle route.

The move away from stiles to better alternatives has multiple benefits for both the path user and landowner. Gates are far easier to use, especially by people with reduced mobility, and the absence of steps make them safer to navigate.

Removing stiles reduces the maintenance liability for the landowner and gates have a greater life expectancy before renewal, leading to less worry about boundaries remaining stock proof.

Flintshire’s Access Team continue to be grateful for the co-operation of landowners, and support from the public in our aims to maintain the network of footpaths and bridleways to a high standard.

Improving our Rights of Way network in Flintshire, which covers 1,089km, has been greatly aided by the Welsh Government’s AIG and we hope that this support is sustained in the future.