The Ramblers’ Association has a Downing Street petition here which is self-explanatory. I would only add that not only paths enjoyed by long-distance walkers are affected. Habitual footpaths, such as those taken as a short cut by ordinary members of the public and which may be taken for granted, are liable to be lost.

I know that Cadoxton’s footpaths have already been defined and are preserved by good use.  However, we can help others save their habitual rights-of-way from being lost.

The Ramblers’ Association organised a useful training day at Llandarcy today. As well as grounding in basic footpath law, we had a presentation on the Wales Coastal Path.

Some long-held erroneous beliefs were dispelled, while there was reassurance that the law was stronger than I assumed. However, it has yet to be tested in some cases.

Another gratifying message was that our county borough is among the more progressive authorities in respect of footpaths. Neath Port Talbot is cooperating over the missing sections of the coastal path, though there are some tricky problems to solve.

A major benefit of events like this is the opportunity to meet the keen walkers who use our footpaths, as well as people from other communities in South Wales. Two ramblers from Llanelli brought the good news that Carmarthenshire county council are reconsidering their decision to abandon St Illtyd’s Way, which might encourage our environment people to maintain the eastern section down to Margam.

An application has been made to upgrade footpath26 (shown alongside on map copied from Blaenhonddan community council’s guide to public rights of way) to a bridleway.

If anyone has any comments, could they send them to me, or to the Head of Legal Services of the City of Swansea who is coordinating, by 7th December.