Welshpool council has ruled out taking on the town’s historic “wiggly path”, but is open to working with other organisations who could.

After some disputes over whether a path that runs from Red Bank to the town centre would remain open to the public, the town council ruled out taking ownership of the path itself at a meeting on Wednesday, September 4.

Cllr Phil Pritchard set the tone by saying: “I don’t think it’s anything to do with us. If the Natural Resources Wales or one of the other organisations want to take it over we’d support them but I think we need to keep out of it as we don’t have the resources to do anything.”

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Cllr Phil Owen responded: “It’s important to do everything we can to try and keep it open. I would hate to see out of control development in that part of the town.

"I know it’s difficult for us and we would have to find someone of a similar interest, but I think we must do everything to keep that path."

Fears for the path’s future date back to 2017, when Powys Council proposed closing the path but were met with protestors who organised a chain-link rally as part of a demonstration to show support.

Cllr Morag Bailey reminded the council of this by saying: “The last time there was a suggestion it should be closed there were protests up there, so don’t be under any illusion that if it closes it’ll go quietly. There’s a strong voice in the town to keep it open.”

The council noted that it would be open to working alongside and supporting any organisation that was interested in adopting the path, with Cllr Gwalchmai due to have a meeting with Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust over the issue.

Cllr David France added: “I understand that we as a council are not resourced to take over the path and run it on our own.

“I’m glad there’s a desire for it to be kept open for the people of the town as an active travel route. I’m also glad to see offers to connect us with the wildlife trust who I’m sure would have an interest in maintaining that route.”