Harlech street loses world's steepest title after New Zealand claims it back

A town in north Wales has lost the record for having the world's steepest street - after it was reclaimed 10,000 miles away in New Zealand.

Dunedin held the title for their Baldwin Street in Down until the gradient of Ffordd Pen Llech in Harlech, North Wales, was judged to be steeper in July last year.

At the time, it was officially recorded of being at a gradient of around 37 per cent – two per cent steeper than the previous record holder Baldwin Street in New Zealand.

The start of Ffordd Pen Llech Credit: Guinness World Records

But now an "extensive review" has been held into their giant gradient - and the Welsh town is now judged to be second in the world.

Checks found that Baldwin Street in fact boasts a steeper gradient coming in at 34.8% compared to Fforn Pen Llech's which is now thought to be 28.6%.

Appeal leader Toby Stoff said: "The issue of gradient was technical in nature only.

"There was no bad feeling toward the people of Harlech. I had the great joy of visiting last November. It is a wonderful heritage town full of friendly people."

Harlech resident Glyn Headley

The appeal included a comparative survey of the three dimensional shapes of both streets.

Harlech campaigner Gwyn Headley said: "I feel sorry - but steeper is steeper."

Mr Headley's research found the street was the steepest in Great Britain, though a different methodology was used to calculate Baldwin Street in New Zealand.

Criteria for the record stated the street must be a public thoroughfare, fully surfaced and have buildings alongside the carriageway.

However the Harlech bid was able to justify the absence of blueprints before 1842 because the street was thought to have existed for more than 1,000 years.

A Guinness World Records statement said: "We’re very grateful to the Baldwin Street appeals team, led by surveyor Toby Stoff, for making us aware of a rare gap in our stipulations and we’re pleased to see the title return to New Zealand.

"We’re also very grateful to the Ffordd Pen Llech team for their application and good humour throughout this process."