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Cwmcarn Forest Drive could reopen to the public next Easter, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has said.

The announcement comes as resurfacing work at the forest gets underway.

NRW is hoping the drive will open for a trial period in March, with a view to it being officially reopened in the Easter holidays.

In recent months, new play areas, a story-telling area, learning facilities, trails, seating areas and picnic spots have been set up at the site ready for its reopening.

Four mountain bike trails, a visitor centre with a cafe, camping facilities and a lake for water sports are already in place at the drive, which was hit by a tree disease in 2014.

The tree disease meant around 70% of the trees on the site had to be cut down, which lead to the closure of the drive.

NRW project manager, Geminie Drinkwater, said: “Cwmcarn Forest is such as important asset to the local community and visitors alike, providing much needed access to green space and stunning countryside views.

“Like so many others I’ve met throughout this project, as a child, I spent many happy days visiting the drive with my family, and I can’t wait to be able to take my own family to Cwmcarn Forest and enjoy the drive once again.”

Dav Letellier, NRW operations manager, said it had been a “challenging project” and thanked the community for their patience.

He said: “The first challenge was dealing with the devastating impact of larch disease within the forest, leading to the loss of many thousands of mature larch trees and the temporary closure of the drive.

“Then came the challenge to secure the significant funds required to begin the redevelopment project, followed shortly by the impact of the global pandemic and an unavoidable set back in construction just as the project was getting started.

“It feels really good to be able to say that we have overcome all these challenges and that completion of the works is within sight.”

He added: “We hope the new-look Cwmcarn Forest Drive will nicely complement the other facilities offered at the site and help secure it as a much-loved visitor attraction for many years to come.”