Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has announced a consultation that looks to close all three of its mid-Wales MTB visitor centers including the UK's original MTB center at Coed y Brenin.
The NRW announced the news to staff members at the three sites, Bwlch Nant yr Arian and Ynyslas near Aberystwyth, and Coed y Brenin that they were at risk of redundancy and the possible site closures via email earlier this week. It stated that the NRW had to reduce its budget by £13 million by the 1st of April 2025, and that would include the removal of 265 posts (108 posts are already vacant) with an internal consultation running for 45 days with staff and Trade Unions. NRW said that there are no confirmed dates for the closures, but without staff they could theoretically close soon after the consultation period in September.
The news is, of course, disastrous for the employees facing redundancy but also for the NRW-managed mountain bike trails and mountain biking in general in Wales. It seems that the redundancy consultation includes all 265 positions, so looks certain to threaten the staff who look after mountain bike trails. The cuts would also see the MTB trail maintenance budgets slashed which could see the trail upkeep potentially falling into the hands of community groups and volunteers. However, with no NRW staff or budget to work with, it looks like a difficult situation going forward and assumes these groups and NRW can reach an agreement on how to keep the trails and facilities open.
Robin Grant the Chair of the UK MTB Trail Alliance spoke about his concerns for the future saying: "This announcement 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."
A glimmer of hope that some jobs and visitor centers could be saved came from the announcement that in the short term. NRW will seek alternative partners to deliver trails, access, car parking, and toilets on its behalf. The NRW said: "Because we need to ensure the redundancy consultation is meaningful, we cannot at this stage engage with any potential partners at any sites, as this would look, incorrectly, that a final decision had been made which it has not. If the outcome of the consultation is that NRW proceeds along these lines, we will then start engaging with potential partners, including community groups, over future operations."
The community group, Caru Coed y Brenin, whose members hope to be given the chance to run the mountain bike visitor center at Coed y Brenin, has said they will meet NRW officials soon. But there will be no commitment about the future of the sites made during the redundancy consultation period.
The timeframe looks already set with likely closures and redundancies from September onwards. Even if the NRW find potential partners, the negotiations and arrangements are likely to involve a substantial time frame and could see the mountain bike trails closed and unattended for a lengthy period.
This is an ongoing story that we will monitor and update as it develops. Anyone wishing to donate to the UK MTB Trail Alliance can do so at its GoFundMe page.
