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View Full Version : Claerwen Reservoir ROW?


ROB 110 HICAP
4th May 2005, 12:05
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=281360&y=267300&z=3&sv=281500,267500&st=4&ar=Y&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf&dn=749

Interested if anyone has info on this section of track near Rhayader. Its the bit marked as unfenced track from the bridge to the UCR.

I have used it in the past as it used to be marked as byway on old maps. The gate to the bridge was often padlocked and had 'private' notices. The local word was that you had to use the ford next to the bridge.

Then I heard that Severn Trent water own the track and its byway status has been removed, even if you used the ford.

Then recently I heard locally that it was still driveable and someone has forged Ceredigion council notices saying it was closed.

Having been there recently, there are indeed notices saying it is closed and that the old maps are wrong. These notices have a Ceredigion council 'crest' printed on them and are cheap laminated affairs. They do not resemble the official 'TRO' style you normally see around the country.

The point is, are these forgeries someone has produced by cutting and pasting the council crest with some map images, as has been suggested to me locally. I have seen variuos different types of unofficial signs to deter use over the years, mainly in the south-east.

It is also interesting that Powys classify the track around the dam to this point as byway and where it crosses the border to Ceredigion (at the bridge), it ceases to be a byway, until it meets the UCR. Strange that proof if historical use stops at the bridge.

Anybody got any knowledge? That is all I know and won't be subsequently posting pictures of people driving it in Isuzus! (private joke)

Pete H
4th May 2005, 16:04
Hmmm ive been asking this question to head staff at Elan visitor center a good while back,i was told that the farm(Claerwaen farm) is owned by the Elan trust(severn Trent),and that the road is open until you get to the farm,after that the road is closed,as far as im awere,this has been the case for about 3 years....

ROB 110 HICAP
5th May 2005, 07:55
Thanks Pete, shame as it used to make a nice link from Claerwen to Strata, without driving miles round on the roads. Amazing how different counties interpret rights of way, with it ending on the county border in this case!

Pete H
5th May 2005, 15:11
Thanks Pete, shame as it used to make a nice link from Claerwen to Strata, without driving miles round on the roads. Amazing how different counties interpret rights of way, with it ending on the county border in this case!
Rob.
i plan to go up there for the bank holiday at the end of May,im gonna ride said track on the MTB,ill take some pics of sign and track...
Ill keep you posted .

Mike_Hammond
5th May 2005, 20:34
Worth asking the local council RoW officer, what about Wayfinder Pete I've not got access to it yet.;)

Pete H
5th May 2005, 20:37
Worth asking the local council RoW officer, what about Wayfinder Pete I've not got access to it yet.;)
Good idea,ill go and have a looksie :)

Golly
6th May 2005, 22:04
I know this bit of track very well. It is indeed owned by by the Elan vally trust. It has also been known for people to get heavy fines if cought!. This hole section was bought up at a ROW meeting not so long ago. From what I gatherd it was declasified to stop a though route. The Elan vally trust have alot of wait behind the name, They were the main voice behind Monks Trod being TRO'd They are now pushing for full closure. If you are coming from the north end there isnt any signs saying it is privite untill you have cross the bridge. Also have been told the farmer will wave and be very nice but soon as you have gone he is on the phone. Personaly I would keep clear from this track as it only set to upset the Elan Trust more!

ROB 110 HICAP
7th May 2005, 18:55
Thanks Pete and Golly. Shame that the Elan Valley trust have such clout. 10 or 15 years ago most of the bridleways round there were byways and you could spend a day without really having to touch tarmac. Word was that there were some dodgy dealings between councilors etc which ended it. It is still strange they don't get the Powys byway from the dam to the bridge closed to make it clearer to all.