Parents of seven-year-old boy with cystic fibrosis fear for his life after council reopen footpath

The parents of a young boy with cystic fibrosis say they fear his life has been put at risk after a council's decision to re-open a footpath to walkers.

Dyfan Eilir Jones and fiancé Elliw Angharad took action to protect their 7-year-old son Gruff during the coronavirus lockdown after hundreds of people continued using a footpath which skirts their farmhouse near Ruthin.

The farm is being shielded under Welsh Government guidelines, with food and medicines being left in a box at the end of the farm lane.

To navigate the path walkers must open and close 16 gates, all of which are used daily by the family during lambing time.

On March 29 Dyfan erected posters on three gates and sealed them shut with black tape.

After the couple refused demands to unblock the gates, Denbighshire Council reopened the path.

But on Tuesday afternoon, the council reversed this decision.

''For Gruff this is a life and death situation,'' Dyfan said.

''He needs to take 40 tablets every day, and he needs to be outdoors to keep his lungs going.

''He has a daily exercise regime which includes walking, running and using a trampoline. He's very good at sticking to it because he knows how serious his condition is.

''He also helps with lambing because it involves him running to catch the lambs, which helps clear mucus from his lungs.

''But Gruff is a serious risk from coronavirus and every day we worry about him catching it on the farm - or that we take it back to the house.''

According to Dyfan, a bed is always kept open for his son at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Bodelwyddan.

''If Gruff gets a cold he needs to be admitted,'' he said.

''He's put on a drip because his own body can't fight it.

''We dare not think what would happen if he got coronavirus.''

Merllyn farm lies half-a-mile from Ruthin's outskirts and, before its gates were barred, Dyfan estimates 200-250 people were using the path every day.

The beef and sheep farm has 18 footpaths and walkers are welcome to use the other 17.

''On Sunday one couple used it twice and were extremely abusive when we asked them to consider an alternative,'' Dyfan said.

''We are mostly worried people will use the path not because they don't care, but simply because they are unaware of the danger to our son.''

After discussions with the family and NFU Cymru, the council announced on Tuesday afternoon the footpath will be closed off to the public again.

A spokesperson for Denbighshire County Council said: “Following meaningful and constructive discussions between the parties involved and the local councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts; Leader of the Council, councillor Hugh Evans; as well lead member councillor Brian Jones, head of service Tony Ward and Joe Mault from NFU Cymru, this matter has been resolved.

“Due to the farm being home to a child who could be very vulnerable to the Covid-19 virus, it was felt the increased use of these paths was likely to be of mutual concern to all.

“It was agreed that two footpaths in the area will therefore be closed until the situation eases – although the matter will be kept under regular review.

“Both the Council and NFU Cymru recognise these are popular paths and therefore it is with regret that they will be closed however, on balance, both parties feel this is the right thing to do in what could very well be unique circumstances.

“The Council apologises for the inconvenience this action may well cause but would ask that walkers respect this decision given its context and make use of the many other walking opportunities available in the vicinity.”