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Residents celebrate as neighbour's gate is removed

Charlie Buckland
BBC News
Rhianon Evans Richard Clarke stood in front of the pathway to Cwmparc forest. He holds one arm out facing the path and smiles at the camera. He is wearing a red t-shirt and shorts. Rhianon Evans
Campaigner Richard Clarke says it's a "very good day" for the community

Residents have been left "elated" after a neighbour's security gate, which previously blocked access to a foresty, has been removed.

The gate, which prevented entry to Cwmparc forest, was erected in February and stirred a passionate campaign in Treorchy, Rhondda Cynon Taf - including a peaceful protest and petition with 4,284 signatures calling for its removal.

The homeowners previously said the gates were for their safety but they were found to obstruct the highway, the council said, so a legal order was issued in April for the gates to be taken down.

Richard Clarke, campaign leader, said he was absolutely delighted to see the gates removed so the community can "get back what they missed".

"I have had hundreds of congratulatory messages, we have all had congratulatory messages," said Mr Clarke.

"When we started it we didn't know what we would be up against," he said, adding that "so many people" were now relieved.

"Protecting the highway is a statutory requirement, the public must always have access to the highway. It shows that in the end justice has prevailed."

Mr Clarke said the whole process took four months to get to enforcement action, with hundreds of banners, posters and stickers put up around the town in solidarity.

The notice served to the homeowners by the council expired on 8 June, but the gates remained.

Richard Clarke From left to right - Barrie, who has short grey hair, wears glasses and a blue shirt and black gilet fleece. Lynda, who has brown short hair and wears a black and white striped t-shirt and black trousers. Philip, who is bald and has a grey beard and wears a red t-shirt and grey shorts and Rhianon, who wears sunglasses, a blue t-shirt and black leggings. She has a brown ponytail. Richard Clarke
Barrie, Lynda, Philip and Rhianon were some of the first local residents to enjoy the path again

The family living in the gated property moved to Cwmparc over a year ago, and previously said their private entrance had been abused in a way which they felt left them with no choice and were working on an alternative route.

"When the council didn't take immediate action, we were on an knife edge," Mr Clarke said.

"We realised we needed to do something, so many of the Gate Gate campaigners emailed Andrew Morgan asking for something to be done."

On Thursday, leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf council Andrew Morgan issued a statement which said the access arrangements put in place by the homeowners "did not fulfil the legal order for the gates to be removed".

He said the homeowners had the weekend to fulfil the legal order, and that the council would dispatch contractors to remove them should they not be removed within that time.

Mr Clarke said he had been up to the site on Friday, after the gates were removed that morning, and he met many "very very happy" locals.

"It is amazing to see what a difference this campaign has made to people's lives.

"One woman had tears in her eyes," he said, adding another went to see the trees she planted in memory of her husband and brother.

Mr Clarke added behind every campaign was a good group of people, and thanked campaigners for their unwavering effort.

Richard Clarke Picture of the gates from inside Cwmparc Forest, large pine trees can be seen either side of the bricked wall and black gates stand in the middle at about one metre tall. Mountains can be seen in the background, cutting into a grey sky.Richard Clarke
The gates previously obstructed access to Cwmparc forestry

He said he wanted to extend the same community spirit to the homeowners, and he never wished them ill.

"They may have chose to do something we disagree with, but they should now be left in peace," he added.

Speaking of what it means going forward, Mr Clarke said the school holidays were a crucial point for the community.

"For the first time in over 100 days, children can go there, it's just at the end of the street.

"I said I wouldn't celebrate until after the gates were down, I have come to Hot Gossip cafe and they have given me a free cappuccino.

"I don't do it for reward, but this in itself is worth it," he said.

"I don't know what I will do now actually, this has taken up every minute of my time for the last four months."