Plan to improve common land

Common land surrounding Gwynedd quarries is being improved

A plan to revitalise common land surrounding former slate quarrying communities in north Wales has been given more than £360,000 in funding.

The scheme will improve footpaths and conserving the wildlife archaeological features on 2,500 acres of common land around the former quarrying villages of Rhosgadfan, Carmel, Y Fron and Betws Garmon, near Caernarfon, Gwynedd.

Boards will also be put up on the land to promote understanding of the area's history.

Around £180,000 of the £367,000 funding for the project has come from the European Union's Objective One Fund, which is aimed at regeneration projects in some of the poorest parts of south, west and north Wales.

Environment Officer Sion Williams, who is co-ordinating the work, said: "This plan aims to add value to the common land as an asset for the community.

"I'm certain the improvements will increase awareness of what the common has to offer.

"The first priority will be to make the common safer for visitors and then go on to work on improvements to the footpaths next year," he added.

Environment Officer Sion Williams, is co-ordinating the work

Local contractors have been invited to offer tenders for the work.

The plan is the result of a partnership between the Graziers' Association, Llandwrog and Llanwnda Community Councils, Gwynedd Council, the Welsh Development Agency, Countryside Council for Wales, the Snowdonia National Park Authority and the rural development company, CYMAD.

"The plan aims to safeguard the agricultural interests and wildlife of the area, while increasing awareness of the area's historical, archaeological, literary and cultural interests," said Elwyn Vaughan of CYMAD.

The planned work follows a scheme last year to place poetry on gates, stiles and picnic benches across Snowdonia to attract a greater number of walkers and ramblers to the area by promoting the region's rich literary heritage.