Highways Act 1980 – Section 118 and 119. Application to divert public footpath no. 6 (part) and extinguish footpath no. 8 in the Community of Yscir, County of Powys.

The NPA proposes to divert a section of footpath no. 6 and extinguish footpath no. 8 at Fennifach Brecon, Powys. 

Members can contact Phil O’Shea for full details. The plan shows details of the proposal and also indicates any adjacent or connecting rights of way and/or adopted roads. Also provided is a plan incorporating an aerial photograph of the application area, the effect of the proposal and the justification for it, which is shown below:-

National Park Authority has been monitoring the condition of public footpath no. 6 for a number of years. The footpath is particularly concerning as most of it is located on the be of the Usk There is not a long-term solution as the river continues to erode the riverbank, destabilising the area and the structure is regularly damaged by flood water and buckled by the growth of the trees. The Authority does not believe that the structure is fit for purpose and it is extremely unlikely that a more permanent solution would be authorised. It is impossible to manage, and the Authority considers that it is neither safe, practical nor sustainable to maintain a public footpath at this location.

The Authority has discussed with the landowner and an alternative route has been found Consequently it is proposed to extinguish footpath no. 8 as it would no longer serve a purpose. A diversion of footpath no.6 would follow the headland of a field and would be gated at either end with self-closing pedestrian gates. This route would provide access when the current route of footpath no. 6 would be submerged and would be accessible in all but the highest spate conditions.

Observations are needed by 30.1.26