After news broke this week that Cwmcarn’s future could be in doubt, the forecast does, in fact, look far rosier than originally thought.
Thanks to CwmcarnMTB who got in touch to clarify the situation regarding the reported search for a private sector tender to run the Cwmcarn site.
It would appear that the council and NRW have understood that they don’t have the experience necessary to do the venue justice, so they have started the search for an organisation who can. Crucially, whatever happens going forward, the trails are safe.
Read the full chat from CwmcarnMTB below.
“This will not affect the trails, if anything, MTB brings year round revenue to the area which will be an incentive to improve the trails and facilities. The ‘drive’ works on a seasonal rota and is often closed due to bad weather including ice, fog and wind. The visitor centre and cafe also work on a reduced hours/menu schedule throughout the autumn/winter months due to reduced footfall of general public whereas the MTB footfall is consistent throughout all seasons with the cafe often being criticised for not accommodating the year round needs/wants of riders using the trails.
I have had a conversation with Cllr Whitcombe who has in depth knowledge and understanding on the current situation and the proposed future of the Scenic Drive and the ambition we all have to enhance what we have as a community to create a sustainable future and provide local well paid employment. We can confirm that the current talks regarding the scenic drive is for a partnership rather than a takeover.
The reason that this partnership is being sought is to get a private investor to help improve the scenic drive both financially and with much needed expertise. CCBC have acknowledged that running tourist attractions is not in their knowledge of expertise including such areas as the scenic drive and have been seeking advice from international consultancies from Sweden and Germany that specialise in these areas for a considerable period of time prior to announcing that a private partnership would be the best outcome. It was found from these consultations, that the scenic drive is only being run at a small percentage of what could be achieved there and this is largely down to cost and lack of knowledge.
The partnership will have to agree to certain conditions in order to move forward with plans, but could include better parking, longer hours and things such as more accommodation and better service/opening hours at the cafe plus several jobs being created.
The MTB Trails are currently protected as they have been acknowledged as a major attraction of the drive including local areas and status from EU funding that protects them for approx 30 years due to ‘clawback’ grants… meaning, if they were closed, it would put immediate debt in place as the grants would be eligible to have to be paid back.
Again, this is not going to be something that will happen overnight; however, it is fact that this partnership is being sought as a positive measure to protect and rejuvenate the scenic drive. The scenic drive land is NOT being sold, therefore, it will still be accessible to the public for many recreational activities as ultimately the land will still belong to NRW and CCBC who will still play an active role in what happens but with specialist guidance and also public consultations. This statement has also been put together with the help of Councillor Whitcombe and deems the content to be true.“
