Five Pence Plastic Bag Charge Helping To Fund Footpath Repairs At Beauty Spot

Some of the money spent on plastic bags in supermarkets is being used to fund repairs to footpaths in a popular Bridgend nature reserve. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Visitors to the Craig y Parcau woodland next to Newbridge Fields in Bridgend will notice that some footpaths will be temporarily closed for the next couple of months so that essential repairs can be carried out. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The work is being co-ordinated by Bridgend County Borough Council’s countryside team after Bridgend Town Council successfully secured money from the national ‘Bags of Help’ fund which uses money raised from the 5p bag levy in Tesco stores to fund thousands of community projects that help to promote the use of outdoor spaces across the UK. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Councillor Charles Smith, Bridgend County Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration, said: “It’s great to hear a local example of the five pence plastic carrier bag charge being put to excellent use. Craig y Parcau offers one of the most picturesque walks in Bridgend, and the footpath repairs will ensure that the woodland can continue to be enjoyed and explored to the full by visitors.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Less than a mile from Bridgend town centre, Craig y Parcau can be found between the Ogmore river and the Broadlands estate. Other local nature reserves in Bridgend County Borough include Locks Common in Porthcawl, Tremains Wood in Brackla, Frog Pond Wood near Kenfig Hill, and of course Kenfig National Nature Reserve. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

With the Christmas period offering a perfect opportunity for coastal and countryside walks, Bridgend County Borough Council’s countryside team also has the following advice to help residents stay safe… ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

– Watch out for any paths that are slippery at this time of year, particularly if you are out walking when it’s getting dark.
– Be aware of any ‘escape routes’ if you’re walking long-distance paths and need to cut the walk short.
– Tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to be back.
– Check the weather forecast, take a waterproof with you and keep an eye on the sky! ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​