The local Labour group and opposition councillors have escalated calls for urgent action after several stretches of the Wales Coastal Path in Neath Port Talbot remained closed, fenced off and deteriorating. The council says the closures are necessary because of significant ground instability that places public safety at risk, but campaigners say the prolonged shutdown — which has continued for several years — is harming active travel, local tourism and community wellbeing.
Petition and political pressure
An online petition launched in May by opposition councillors in the borough demands the council formally write to the Welsh Government to seek intervention and a clear timetable for reopening. The petition is led by councillors Josh Tuck, Carol Clement-Williams and Suzanne Paddison, and follows an open letter from 20 members of the local Labour group to the Welsh Government cabinet minister for rural resilience and sustainability, MS Llŷr Gruffydd.
Signatories tell of mounting frustration among people who previously used the path for walking, cycling and enjoying the coastline. In their description of the situation, the councillors emphasise the harm to active travel connections in the borough and to businesses that benefit from visitors.
“The Wales Coastal Path is one of our nation’s greatest assets – a world-renowned route that should be a source of pride for communities across Wales. Yet for several years major sections around Baglan, Briton Ferry, and Sandfields West have remained closed, fenced-off, and left to deteriorate.”
Local impact and concerns
Residents and campaigners highlight several specific consequences of the closures:
- Reduced options for walking and cycling for local people, affecting everyday journeys and leisure activity.
- Damage to tourism and to small businesses that rely on visitors to the coastal route.
- Negative effects on health and wellbeing where safe outdoor routes are limited.
Those behind the petition are requesting that the Welsh Government secure funding to repair the affected sections and publish a clear restoration plan, including a timetable for reopening.
Council stance and safety considerations
Neath Port Talbot Council has made clear that the decision to keep parts of the path closed is based on safety concerns linked to ground instability. The council says the condition of the terrain presents a risk to the public, a point likely to weigh heavily with local risk assessors and engineers tasked with any repair work.
The tension between ensuring public safety and restoring a much‑used community asset is at the centre of the dispute. Residents and councillors pressing for action say they need greater transparency on planned works and timescales, while the authority’s short-term priority remains preventing accidents.
| Area | Reported status |
|---|---|
| Baglan | Closed / fenced off |
| Briton Ferry | Closed / fenced off |
| Sandfields West | Closed / fenced off |
Next steps and expectations
The petition calls on Neath Port Talbot Council to write formally to the Welsh Government requesting urgent intervention and funding. It also asks that any funding secured is matched with a published timetable for restoration so residents can see clear progress.
For people in Neath and the surrounding communities, the coastal path is not just a scenic route; it is a practical asset that links neighbourhoods and supports local wellbeing. Restoring it will require balancing engineering assessments, funding availability and the urgent desire of residents to regain access. Those campaigning will be watching for a response from both the council and ministerial office in Cardiff.
Locally rooted and resilient, communities in Neath Port Talbot are determined that this nationally important route should be safe, accessible and once again a source of pride.
