Path connecting two popular Welsh beaches finally set to reopen
Path connecting two popular Welsh beaches finally set to reopen
The Tramway, which links Wisemans Bridge to Coppet Hall, has been closed for months after a series of landslips - the latest in January - and substantial investment has been made to reopen the route
This section of path in Pembrokeshire is expected to reopen within weeks, having been shut since January
(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service )
A section of a coastal path connecting two popular beaches in Pembrokeshire is set to reopen in just over a month. The pathway, which connects Wisemans Bridge with Coppet Hall near Saundersfoot, had previously been shut down following 'substantial rock falls' towards the end of 2023 and into early 2024, despite significant council investment to make the route accessible before the most recent landslides occurred.
In January, another collapse took place on the cycleway from Wisemans Bridge to Coppet Hall, disrupting the connection between Wisemans Bridge and Coppet Hall beach.
Pembrokeshire Council responded by issuing a temporary prohibition order to restrict access.
The order read: "The Order is necessary to ensure the safety of the public from the eroding cliff face and follows two public notices previously issued under this same Act advising of this restriction."
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It further detailed: "The effect of the Order will be to temporarily prohibit all vehicular and non-vehicular traffic other than exempted vehicles from proceeding along the Public Right of Way SP42/P1/3 Coppet Hall to Wisemans Bridge – from Coppet Hall Point, northeast to its junction with the access road leading towards Hean Castle."
The restrictions are set to be clearly signposted and are planned to commence on Thursday, February 27, with an anticipated duration of around four months.
A Pembrokeshire County Council spokesperson stated that the pathway is due to reopen next month.
"The end of June is the target to reopen the path between Coppet Hall and Wiseman's Bridge which has been closed due to a landslide."
However, the council official also cautioned: "Every effort will be made to meet the re-opening target but given the complicated nature of the works this cannot be guaranteed."
The closure notice has a six-month limit, serving as a backup plan in case of unforeseen delays or rescheduling of the works. Meanwhile, the upper path remains accessible to users.
By March, the accumulated costs of repairs for multiple incidents had reached nearly £700,000.
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This development comes after local councillor Chris Williams voiced his frustration last year with "selfish" path users who compromised others' safety by repeatedly breaching safety barriers and fencing during the repair works.
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