Concrete barriers have been installed along a scenic coastal path in Cardiff to keep out illegal motorbike users. Cardiff council installed the blockage along the part of the Wales Coast Path, an 870-mile walk around the entire Welsh coast.
Bikers were using the route to break into and vandalise the council's motocross track and education facility off Tide Fields Road in Splott, the council said. The off-road bike track, called Foreshore MXC, teaches young people aged 11 to 16 to ride responsibly, with the aim to reduce motorcycle-related antisocial behaviour on streets.
Wales Coast Path posted a tweet on Wednesday, March 30, stating that it was aware of the blockage and advised walkers to use a temporary inland diversion instead, which you can view here. But Cardiff council has assured that the blockage does not prevent pedestrians from walking along the path, and there has always been accessible through the barrier since it was installed, including for those using pushchairs.
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The council said the barriers were in fact installed two months ago and the measure has since mitigated the problem of the illegal bikers. The authority added that signposts will be installed on the path to make access through the barrier clearer for walkers, and it will be meeting with the Wales Coast Path this month to discuss a more permanent solution.
A Cardiff Council spokesman said: “We installed the concrete barriers two months ago to keep illegal motorbike users off the coastal path at that point. They were breaking into the council’s motor cross and education facility off Tide Fields Road and causing damage but the problem has largely been solved since we took this measure.
“However, we have always ensured that pedestrian access along the path at this point remains possible, including for people using pushchairs. We plan to put signposts up soon so that people accessing the path in this area know it’s accessible and we have a meeting planned in April with the Coastal Path authorities where we will discuss a more permanent solution."
