National Resources Wales plan to cut millions from their 2025 staff budget, leading to closures of three of its visitor centres.
News broke last year that National Resources Wales planned to close the visitor centres at Coed Y Brenin, Nant yr Arian and Ynyslas. It’s worth pointing out that the trails, as well as toilets and car parks are not part of these closures.
According to the BBC, 265 jobs are at risk in this budget cut, and the three visitor centres will close in March 2025 if these changes are approved. Caru Coed y Brenin, a local community group, is in talks with NRW to take over management of the Coed y Brenin centre.
Robin Grant, Chair, UK MTB Trail Alliance, had this to say about NRW’s plans:
“This does not bode well for the future of mountain biking in Wales, but it’s a future we need to face up to and deal with as best we can. We need to be in a position to convince the Welsh Government that the mountain bike community can be a trusted partner. One that can help relieve some of the budgetary pressure by taking on responsibility for looking after their local trails. But also to help them understand that this can only happen if they cut back on the red tape that is currently blocking it.
The UK MTB Trail Alliance will only be able to do this if we ourselves are seen as a trusted and properly constituted partner, who have the backing of mountain bikers. We’ve currently raised only just over a third of the £10k we need to get us set up properly as a charity and take us through our first year. Now is the time to dig deep and donate to our GoFundMe if you can.”