The current state of a small nature reserve north of Llanvihangel Crucorney has prompted a local resident to demand some answers.

Nature lover Christine Walby emailed the Chronicle asking if we knew anything about the apparent closure of the Cwm Coed y Cerrig site and also contacted Monmouth AM Nick Ramsay and local county councillor David Hughes Jones.

In her email to the Chronicle she said she understood that the reserve was originally the responsibility of the Countryside Council for Wales.

On a recent visit she said she had found it in ‘a sad state – all leaflets removed and obviously abandoned’.

In her email to Nick Ramsay and David Hughes Jones she pointed out that the CCfW’s own leaflet stated Cwm Coed y Cerrig offered a rich diversity of habitats - with ‘diverse woodland’ including wet boggy areas, a range of important flora and fauna species and numerous bird and butterfly species.

“The wet and boggy areas had board walks for safe walking and were also suitable for wheelchair and pushchair use,” she said.

“In addition to the wet area in the floor of the valley the reserve stretched up the hillside into Cwm Coed y Cerrig which has a large range of trees and wildlife.

“There was a useful map of the whole reserve in the car park and there were explanatory leaflets/maps in containers there and in the wetland area.

“On my visits over recent years there have usually been other cars parked in the small parking area and other people enjoying the reserve.

“On visiting yesterday with a friend we discovered to our dismay that the reserve appears to have been abandoned by CCfW or its successor agency.

“Signboards and leaflets have been removed and a fallen tree obstructs part of the boardwalk in the low level wetland area.

“As far as I am aware there does not appear to have been any public consultative process about the withdrawal of responsibility for the reserve and subsequent closure, but I would be grateful if you could inform me otherwise.”

The Chronicle discovered that the reserve is now the responsibility of Natural Resources Wales, who were keen to stress that it has not been abandoned.

In fact it seems they are already addressing some of Christine’s concerns, with plans for new signage and updated information.

They have also promised that an officer will visit the site and arrange for the removal of the fallen tree.

The NRW spokesman said, “Cwm Coed y Cerrig is one of 76 National Nature Reserves (NNR) managed by us to protect a wide range of wildlife and landscapes and are great places for people to connect with nature.

“The nature reserve is open to the public all year around and is an area of distinctive habitats with a rich diversity of wildflowers and plants and home to a wide range of birds and insects.

“We are currently reviewing signage for our nature reserves across Wales and working towards providing new and updated signage for the benefit and wellbeing of our visitors.

“We welcome any information from the public regarding issues with our sites and an officer will be visiting Cwm Coed y Cerrig to remove the fallen tree from the pathway in the coming days.”

• Natural Resources Wales is the largest Welsh Government Sponsored Body – and was formed in April 2013, largely taking over the functions of the Countryside Council for Wales, Forestry Commission Wales and the Environment Agency in Wales, as well as certain Welsh Government functions.