I REFER to the letter from Mr John Dowden (Penarth Times June 18 and 25) regarding part of the Wales Coast Path in the Sully area being blocked with out of control foliage.

As a walker myself, I can empathise with the sentiments he expressed in his letter, but at this time of the year as the temperature increases and we have rainfall, the weeds, grasses, thistles and other foliage practically grow before your very eyes and as a result footpaths become overgrown and sometimes unwalkable.

Although the Wales Coast Path is a major footpath and passes through part of the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s area, they have a huge network of footpaths to cover and therefore cannot foresee which ones need urgent attention unless the problem is reported to them after which they will respond.

As walkers we are in a prime position to locate footpaths that are very badly overgrown and I am wondering if Mr Dowden, who took the time to write to the press about this matter, also advised the Vale of Glamorgan about this problem which can easily be done by email through their website.

When I as an individual come across footpath problems or even when walking with my rambling group, we contact the local authority concerned to report the problem, so that hopefully action can be taken sooner, rather than later to avoid as he comments ‘the inevitable injury compensation claims’.

I am sure as walkers we will meet many more problem paths during the summer months, but in the meantime can I wish Mr Dowden ‘happy and safe walking’.

Joy Strangward

Barry