Need to remove barriers on Wales Coastal Path in Flintshire raised in Senedd

North Wales Member of the Senedd (MS) Mark Isherwood has brought a nine-year campaign to improve accessibility along the Wales Coastal Path to the Welsh Parliament, urging action to remove barriers that affect disabled and elderly users.

In a Senedd session on Wednesday, Mr Isherwood questioned the Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant MS, about measures to ensure compliance with the UK Equality Act 2010 and Welsh accessibility policies.

Mr Isherwood stated that the current lack of accessible infrastructure along parts of the Wales Coastal Path in Flintshire contravenes the Equality Act and is inconsistent with both national and local government frameworks.

He expressed frustration at what he sees as insufficient monitoring and enforcement of equality duties by local authorities, pointing out that the responsibility for compliance largely falls to the Equality and Human Rights Commission, which he said has limited powers for addressing individual cases.

“Over nine years, I’ve worked with disabled people and others across Flintshire to remove barriers along the Wales Coastal Path, managed by the Council, allowing access for all,” Mr Isherwood said, naming groups including TCC, a north-east Wales charity, Cycling UK, Sustrans Cymru, and Disabled Ramblers UK among campaign supporters.

He stressed that many people with disabilities and older individuals face difficulties accessing public spaces due to insufficient facilities such as public toilets, benches, and dropped kerbs.

In response, Ms Bryant acknowledged Mr Isherwood’s long-standing advocacy on the issue and highlighted the Welsh Government’s role in promoting the Equality Act within the public sector, noting the work of the Workforce Partnership Council in fostering initiatives like the Disability Confident scheme.

“There is work ongoing, and I think it’s really important that we find areas of best practice and share that,” she said.

After the session, Mr Isherwood voiced his concerns, stating, “Without effective monitoring, evaluation and, where necessary, intervention, the Welsh Government’s legislative commitments and policies are about as much use as a chocolate fireguard.”