Grass causing trouble.
For many years the grass in the estuary of the river Dwyryd near Llanfihangel y Traethau has been an attraction for the locals. It is Crown land and public rights of way have been registered on it by the old District Council in Penrhyndeudraeth. However, there appears to be opposition to some fencing that was erected recently.
However, there are traces of old fences here and there on the beach. There was fencing here in the past. Local farmers use the land as pasture for their sheep. According to the farmers, putting up a fence makes it easier to sort sheep - that is a matter of common sense. Some of the local residents are of the of the opinion that the fences are an offense and that it is no longer easy to walk easily from one end of the estuary to the other. The farmers' answer to this debate is that there is a gate near the tidal wall. It is then a matter of deciding which part of the estuary one wants to direct his or her feet or pram to.
As well as this, the farmers are willing to install stiles, but for users to mark the places most convenient to them. But the opponents of fences are not satisfied with this as the law states plainly that local people have a right to walk freely in the grassy estuary. What is interesting is that the act also allows the purchase of Crown Land at the same time as encouraging public use. A bit of trouble - a bit of a dispute, but it was made clear to our newspaper by The Talsarnau Commumity Council that the issue was under consideration. Only time and facts will tell if there is a solution to the problem.