New Path Created at Neath Port Talbot Waterfall Destination to Enhance Public Safety

A new path has been created at one of Neath Port Talbot’s most popular tourist destinations in order to improve public safety.
The improvements have been made by Natural Resources Wales to a section of the path at Sgwd yr Eira falls, which is a well-known visitor destination at Waterfall Country in the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park.
These included works to a section that leads to the bottom of the waterfall that were carried out by specialist contractors, to better mark out the path beneath the waterfall, as well as levelling out the most hazardous parts which were uneven and with a number of jagged rocks.
However, despite the work a spokesperson for Natural Resources Wales said the path was still considered as “strenuous” and required visitors to be “well prepared and to focus on the uneven terrain,” while walking there.
Paul Dann, who is the land management team leader for Natural Resources Wales said: “Although we are very happy with the quality of the improvements made to sections of the paths leading to Sgwd yr Eira, it is still a challenging walk. This is not a stroll in the park, it is a rugged walk in the great outdoors.
“Anyone who plans on visiting Sgwd yr Eira should come prepared with the right clothing for the conditions, and with a sturdy pair of hiking boots. Too many people come unprepared, and ankle and serious injuries are all too common as a result.”
The work comes just months after a consultation period with the local council, over plans to spend around £7.7mon new facilities and infrastructure at Waterfall Country, Pontneddfechan, in order to “ease visitor pressures in the area”.
It followed a successful funding application to the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund to deliver investment at Pontneddfechan in 2022, with plans which, if approved, could see the creation of a visitor hub with overnight accommodation, along with improved toilet facilities, a new farm or community shop, and improvements to road safety and landscaping. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​