Patrolling in Wales: Ranger Program works on National Cycle Network

Wales now has over 175 volunteer rangers acting as the eyes and ears for Sustrans to ensure the National Cycle Network signing is up to date and vegetation is cut back to provide a clear path for users. With each ranger having their own patch to maintain it could quite often be a lonely activity but Gwyn Smith, the Volunteer co-ordinator based in the Sustrans Cardiff office is once again running a series of working rides to bring rangers together.

Last year the rides focused on improving signing. This summer that is still a priority but now much more of the signing is up to scratch, time is typically spent cutting back vegetation and making the routes wider and easier to pass.

Between six and ten rangers attend each ride every two weeks and Gwyn has found that by having a ranger who doesn't know the route lead the ride, it is a great way of identifying if the signing works and where the problem areas are.

Cycling Officers also sometimes come on the rides, giving them a chance meet the rangers and find out any problems faced in their role - and vice versa.

The Rangers don't exclusively work on signing and maintenance. Rangers in Swansea are now working with the Local Authority to provide back up to ensure the automatic counters which monitor usage on the Network are fitted with fully charged batteries. They have also been trained to collect the data.

Rangers also play a key role in the promoting the work of Sustrans in the local community, taking parting school events and recently acting as marshals in the British Heart Foundation charity bike rides.

This article courtesy of Sustrans.