VOLUNTEERS and rangers have been out in force to replace the wooden pedestrian bridge on the National Trust-owned piece of the Ceredigion Coast Path at Penbryn.
The bridge has been there for nearly 20 years but it really wasn’t going to make it through another storm season and it was time for a change.
Wales coast path ranger Nigel Nicholas and area ranger Osian Jones met up with some of the loyal rights of way volunteers at the National Trust car park above Penbryn beach.
The work party, two trucks full of tools, a hired mini digger, two trailers full of assorted timber posts, rails and treads and two incredibly substantial crossing timbers, made their haphazard but organised way down the beach access road.
While the edges of the timbers and fastening metalwork nearest the sea had rotted and rusted, those on the inland side still held fast. The timber work was dismantled slowly through the morning by the team and piled into the trailer to be taken.
The reinforcing bars, on the other hand, would not be beaten. Reinforcements in the shape of a blow torch had to be called in and the old structure finally admitted defeat with the crossing timbers being dragged out by the mini-digger.
Once the new timbers were laid across the stream, it was all hands on deck for the volunteers to create the new bridge.
Cabinet member for economic and community development, Cllr Gareth Lloyd said: “This work showcases the level and complexity of works undertaken by volunteers, working in partnership with the council’s ranger team.
“We are extremely fortunate as a council that we have volunteers who are willing to give their time in helping maintain our fantastic network of public rights of way.”
The volunteering scheme has been in existence for around 20 years now with the last of the original participants having only very recently moved on.
As well as maintenance work, volunteers can also help by walking their local paths regularly and reporting any problems or obstructions to the council. If you have some spare time and would like to be part of your local Adopt a Path Scheme volunteering group call Jill Lowry on 01545 574140 or email jill.lowry@ceredigion.gov.uk
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