Sarn Helen

[the real muddy90]

An email I received yesterday & thought I'd share.

Sarn Helen - Hirfynydd. (South Wales)

(Neath, Port-Talbot County Borough - Byway 39)

I hope you'll excuse this random contact. It's an informative email which may be of interest to some members of your respective clubs.

Sarn Helen, (Helenas causeway), is ‘jewel’ amongst green-lanes and it's still open, (for nearly 3 months over the summer). At risk of closure due to one of the landowners having great ‘influence’ in Council. This is part of the 2,000 year old road which the Roman empire used to link the Northern & Southern ends of what we now know as Wales.

Having fought to stop this road being lost and having continued fighting to get this road re-opened this year – it’s been disappointing to note that the ‘motorised vehicular user’ element has been slow to return in anticipated numbers.

This road is open for just 3 more weeks. If you haven’t used it so far this year, or if you’ve never driven this route – it’s a must!

Some idea of the terrain and views to be enjoyed along this 7 miles of byway;

http://s942.photobucket.com/albums/ad261/oldenlay/Sarn_walk/'>http://s942.photobucket.com/albums/ad261/oldenlay/Sarn_walk/

http://s942.photobucket.com/albums/ad261/oldenlay/

The road largely follows the ridgeway of Hirfynydd, (which translates as Long Mountain). Views from the ridgeway on a clear day include the Bristol, Channel, Swansea Bay, Brecon Beacons, Black Mountains, etc. On a good day, you can see about 8 counties in Wales & England.

In a climate of progressively constraining TRO's / closures, etc. it's a shame that these 3 months of vehicular access aren't being fully exploited. If you know this road and have enjoyed it in the past – re-acquaint yourselves with it’s charms!

Out of interest, at the Northernmost end of the mountain, there are 3 other byway roads which run across the site, (they originally linked with what is now the Pontneddfechan Parish road). These are also open to traffic.

How to find it:-

Map:

http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad261/oldenlay/Real%20Sarn/Finding_Sarn.jpg

(please note this is my attempt at a map and is not to scale – it is generally intended to show the main roads & lanes which lead to Sarn Helen).

Via Neath Valley:

Sat Nav. SA10 8HH – this will take you along Ynysgerwyn Avenue, past a few industrial units, (look for Groundhog on your left).

From the M4;

ABERDULAIS entrance, (South to North).

M4 – Junction 43. (Signed Neath / Merthyr Tydfil)

Take A465 North for approximately 4 miles.

Look for slip on left signed Aberdulais / Crynant, (A4109).

Drive up onto the intersection roundabout above the A465.

Miss first exit, (Cadoxton / Cilfrew)

Miss second exit, (housing estate)

Take 3rd exit, (A4109), signed Aberdulais / Crynant, Seven-Sisters, etc.

Continue for approximately ¾ of a mile, (you will have passed the National Trusts Aberdulais falls site on your left). Look for a right hand turn onto the B4242.

Take this turn right, you will pass some housing and a few commercial units on your left, there is a grassed ‘banana island’ in the centre of the road.

Once past this banana island, continue along for about 200 yards keeping a careful look-out for the entranceway in the foliage to the left. This is well hidden and easy to miss, especially travelling from this direction. This ‘entrance’ takes the form of a tree-tunnel in through the foliage.

Still on the B4242, if you have come to an entranceway on your right which turns into a driveway for 2 detatched houses* then you’ve gone too far.

(*one of these is the Constituency home of Peter Hain MP).

Photos of this entrance:

http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad261/oldenlay/Real%20Sarn/Sarn_Aberdulais-1.jpg

http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad261/oldenlay/Real%20Sarn/Sarn_Aberdulais-2.jpg

http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad261/oldenlay/Real%20Sarn/Sarn_Aberdulais-3.jpg

http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad261/oldenlay/Real%20Sarn/Sarn_Aberdulais-4.jpg

http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad261/oldenlay/Real%20Sarn/Sarn_Aberdulais-5.jpg

-----

North to South, (recommended);

Sat Nav. SA10 9LN – this will take you to Roman Road. Just drive up it onto the mountain.

From Rhondda / Cynon Valley, etc;

A465 South / West-bound. Take turn off for Glynneath. Go straight ahead at traffic lights and follow the A4109, (inter-valley road), up. After approximately 2 miles the ‘Dove workshop / Banwen’ is signed to the left.

Turn left and drive straight ahead. Roman Road is one straight row of terraced houses. The road continues past these houses as Byway 39.

http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad261/oldenlay/Real%20Sarn/Roman_Road-2.jpg

http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad261/oldenlay/Real%20Sarn/Roman_Road-1.jpg

http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad261/oldenlay/Real%20Sarn/Roman_Road-3.jpg

From the M4;

Via Swansea Valley:

M4 – Junction 45.

Follow the A4067 all the way up the valley as far as Abercrave.

Passing Pontardawe, Ystylafera & Ystradgynlais. Drive through Caerbont and look for signposing on your left for Abercrave, (DON’T turn left!) Just after this junction, turn right onto the A4221.

After approximately a mile you will drive past signs for Coelbren on your left. After approximately another mile you will see the ‘Dove workshop / Banwen’ signed to your right.

Turn right and drive straight ahead. Roman Road is one straight row of terraced houses. The road continues past these houses as Byway 39.

From Brecon / Llandovery, etc.

Follow the A4067 South as far as Abercrave.

Approximately 1 mile after Penycae, Abercrave is signed to your right, (DON’T turn right!) Just after this junction, turn left onto the A4221.

After approximately a mile you will drive past signs for Coelbren on your left. After approximately another mile you will see the ‘Dove workshop / Banwen’ signed to your right.

Turn right and drive straight ahead. Roman Road is one straight row of terraced houses. The road continues past these houses as Byway 39.

R.O.W.A.N. has been fighting hard to prevent this amenity from being stolen from the community. It’s been an uphill struggle and is ongoing. This section of road is under great scrutiny and ‘misbehaviour’ only provides the landowners ‘friends in Council’ with the excuse that they need to further restrict vehicular access. So, please don’t give them any more excuses.

Please;

Stay on the road: If you wander off onto the private tracks or into the forestry or surrounding fields you are liable to get a s59 notice, (your vehicle may be seized if there are future infringements), you may be fined, receive points on your licence, etc. This area is policed by RAFT, (the Rural and Forestry Team). The local Police Sergeant, is a RAFT member, he seems to be generally sympathetic to our overall aims and has been taking a hard-line with one of the landowners over their intimidation of the public but if you’re being naughty on the mountain and he catches you – don’t expect preferential treatment!

Remember it IS a REAL PUBLIC road: Legally you are ‘on-road’ (even if it FEELS like ‘off-road’). You can be charged with numerous motoring offences such as speeding, reckless driving, dangerous driving, etc. If you are there to enjoy a ‘green-laning’ type of experience then you will find few better places to be. If you’re there to tear around or create a muddy pit so that you can try out your winch – then you risk your licence. There are plenty of proper off-road sites where you can try this extreme form of 4x4 sport.

Respect other rights of way users: You may encounter equestrians and cyclists. You will, almost certainly, encounter walkers. OK, it’s a road but please behave courteously to other users of this highway. If they see 4x4 drivers or scrambler-riders causing damage, behaving aggressively to other road users, driving recklessly, aggressively, etc. The offenders are highly likely to be photographed and reported. It also helps them to advance their argument to exclude motorised user altogether.

Club Activities: One of the ‘sticks’ we’re using against one of the landowners with is the apparently unlawful status of the motorsports they have been holding on site that the Sarn Helen runs through. This is a 2 edged argument inasmuch as club activities such as ‘off-road runs’ may need to look at whether they require any of the permissions we’re quoting, (such as land-owners permission / local authority permission, MSA authorisation, etc.) The safest way of sorting out a ‘run’ is probably just to make it an event where a few friends get together. If it’s on a club website, if there are charges / fees involved, if you’re using club insurance cover, if you’re using public roads, (which include Byways), then you risk being seen to have organised a motor sports event unlawfully on a public road.

There have been ongoing issues over many years with intimidation, unlawful blockades, etc. We advise that you carry a camera and use it if challenged.

If you have any queries and want to ask about the specific whereabouts of the byways, your rights on the byways etc. email this email address, (don’t hold your breath waiting for a reply though as it’s usually only checked weekly),

or

call in at 61 Roman Road and ask for Brian or Chris.

or

Phone 01639 700128, (evenings are best)

Other than that …

Enjoy!

Chris Williams

Secretary

R.O.W.A.N.

(Rights Of Way Alliance Neath)

Dedicated to protecting the amenity of ALL public Rights Of Way on

Hîrfynydd Mountain for EVERYONE to enjoy.

[Retroanaconda]

Should be driving it next weekend some time if all goes well

I assume the Walters Arena people want the byway closed as people leave it and tear round their site?

[jimyd]

I will be down that way next week so will try and sneak a trip along this lane. I thought most of Sarn helen had been closed for years!

[lee2008]

Excellent news. Thankyou very much for sharing, much apreciated. It makes a welcome change to hear of a lane being opened again (even if only for a limited period each year). Look forward to visiting in a few days, it's just a shame The Gap's been closed off to us. As jimyd says, we'll be down there later this week so will definately be driving it.

[Retroanaconda]

FYI. We were diverted at the northern end of this part of Sarn Helen this Saturday just gone by a rally that was being run on Walters Arena. The diversion was well signposted and took us down the northern side of the mountain before re-joining the byway. The route is very enjoyable, and not hard in any way. We took a Freelander through it with no issues, it was on AT tyres and had a bash plate, which is to be recommended.

No problems with the route though this part or any of the other parts of Sarn Helen further to the north

[RJF]

Stunning, stunning lane. Freelander friendly (just). I just have a Mantec sump guard (essential) and Grabber ATs. The centre exhaust box rubbed on some of the ruts and I needed waffles to descend the rocky steps, but that was about it.

Beautiful lane with lots of character.

Rob.

[GBMUD]

Has the TRO on the parts of Sarn Helen inside the BBNP been lifted then?

Chris

[Ed Poore]

I'll find out on Saturday for you - will be doing some lanes around that area and Sarn Helen is one of the ones on the list if it's open.<div><br></div><div>Ed</div>

[Retroanaconda]

Has the TRO on the parts of Sarn Helen inside the BBNP been lifted then?

Chris

Chris,

I'll reply here too for the benefit of others. There is debate regarding the legal status of this part of Sarn Helen.

To my knowlege there is no TRO on the two sections of Sarn Helen within the BBNP. They are not Byways and as such are not subject. They are RUPPs and as such are now restricted byways, however we encountered a high level of evidence of continuous vehicular use (including other vehicles) as well as a farmer/landowner who had no problem with us using the route. It is on Powys Council's list of streets as a UCR.

It's down to your individual preference, we were advised that it was a well driven route and that we would have no problems. It was and we didn't, and I'm glad we did it as it's a stunning drive. Your call though

[mickeyw]

FYI. We were diverted at the northern end of this part of Sarn Helen this Saturday just gone by a rally that was being run on Walters Arena. The diversion was well signposted and took us down the northern side of the mountain before re-joining the byway. The route is very enjoyable, and not hard in any way. We took a Freelander through it with no issues, it was on AT tyres and had a bash plate, which is to be recommended.

No problems with the route though this part or any of the other parts of Sarn Helen further to the north

Wish I had known you were going James. I'd have loved to tag along. I've never managed to drive this route before. Sounds like I may not get the opportunity now

[markyb]

shame that wasnt open when we were at seven sisters as we wanted to do a bit more after the site was shut,

[mudslingger]

Want to do the Sarn Helen in a few weeks time going north south from swallow falls betws-y-coed but tried a few months ago and got stopped by small walk over bridge that we could not x is there another way round please is this still open

Thanks for your help

[fatbloke]

I drove that about 4 years ago, lovely bit of countryside. Be a massive shame to loose it, but it just takes 1 puffed up landowner to ruin it for the whole country.

Incidently, on the same trip we got called a W****rs by a frail old lady out walking her dog whilst doing about 15 mph on a road !!!

[Trevorevans]

The section of Sarn running from Aberdulais to Banwen has a TRO on it and is only open for use from 31st May until 22nd of August. This TRO was campaigned for by A Mr. Walters of 'Walters mining' A multi millionaire who owns 'Walters arena' up at Severn Sisters. He wanted the section TRO'd so that it would not interfere with any 'motorsport event' he was holding on the section that includes part of the byway, now by my and a lot of others opinion if A TRO is in place then there should be no use of the byway barring access i.e. For Farmers to feed livestock etc. however Mr. Walters continues to flout the regulation that he campaigned to have introduced under the guise of preventing damage to the byway by use through winter months by using the area for profitable motor events himself during the exclusion period. Just please be aware that any payment for use of the site at Severn sisters/Walters arena is money going towards helping him close the byway for good and then allow him to charge you to access an area that is A right of way. As for the section running through the Brecon becons national park some will tell you it's open and some will say it's closed permanently, I myself can not get 100% clarification either way so have not driven it myself. Hope this helps and hope you have A good outing wherever you go.

[tiddler]

To pick up on Trevor's comments, is a Byway with a TRO on it still available to lower users, eg: horses, cyclists and walkers?

If so, could we not form a protest by exercising our rights (en masse or maybe even as an individual if that individual was stubborn enough!) along this Byway using one or other of the methods listed above whilst a motorsport event is taking place on the site, accross/along the Byway?

The event would be forced to stop. One or two of these interupted events could soon lead event organisers to consider less costly venues.

Just a thought,

Giles

[Retroanaconda]

A TRO will specify what is restricted, and in the vast majority of cases it is just motor traffic. Some TROs have specifications of vehicle width, length, weight, wheelbase etc.

With regard to the southern section of Sarn Helen across Walters Arena, the byway is diverted when motorsport events are taking place.

This was the case back in August when I drove it, we were diverted down the side of the mountain along the hard tracks built as access for the turbines. We then re-joined the byway near the exit down to Banwen.

[GBMUD]

Whether the TRO covers other users or not, there are several other FPs and BWs on Walter's Arena. I have no idea if there are temporary closure orders on them during motorsport events.

Chris

[mudslingger]

Am I talking about a completely different bit of Sarn Helen I am con fussed

[Retroanaconda]

The part in question is detailed in the first post of this thread. It runs from the B4242 road near Aberdulais right up the mountain and across to where it meets a yellow road at Banwen on the A4109. It passes through the Walters Arena Motorsport Complex at the northern end. There are several more sections of Sarn Helen, two just north of this one which both continue the path north into the Brecon Beacons National Park towards Brecon itself, and one more much further north in Snowdonia.

Chris, I believe the other ROWs within WAMC were also closed on the day our group came across a rally in our path. Whether they were supplied with diversions like the main byway or not I cannot say, some of the bridleways cross the entire site and are in reasonably regular use (from what I saw on the Shires 7S trip anyway), so one would hope they were.