The Auto-Cycle Union is pleased to confirm it has secured a new five-year land use agreement with Natural Resources Wales (NRW) that will safeguard the future of Enduro competition in Welsh forests through to the end of the 2030 season.
The agreement represents a major milestone for British Enduro and follows an extensive period of engagement between the ACU, Welsh organisers and NRW to establish a new framework for the sport’s long-term future on NRW-managed land.
As the governing body for motorcycle sport in the UK, the ACU is the only organisation authorised to run permitted motorcycle sport events on NRW land. Wales remains one of the discipline’s most important regions, hosting around 30 Enduro events each year and playing a vital role in the future of the sport nationally and internationally.
The new agreement comes after several years of uncertainty following the expiry of the previous master agreement in 2018. Discussions around future access had proved challenging at times, with forestry operations, environmental responsibilities and event management requirements creating significant challenges for the sport.
Those challenges intensified after Storm Darragh struck the UK in 2024, causing widespread damage across Welsh forests and leading to the temporary suspension of access for motorcycle sport and other activities on NRW-managed land.
Against that backdrop, the ACU and NRW have worked together to establish a more collaborative approach that provides long-term certainty for the sport while ensuring events continue to meet NRW’s environmental and operational expectations.
ACU President Tim Lightfoot headed the ACU delegation that liaised with NRW. He said: “Securing this agreement is hugely significant for Enduro in Wales and for the future of the discipline in the UK.
“Following Storm Darragh there was genuine uncertainty around future access, so reaching this agreement is a major achievement and reflects the commitment from both the ACU and NRW to work together constructively and responsibly.
“This is about much more than securing permissions for events. In the last year, we have worked closely with organisers and NRW to develop a more consistent and collaborative approach around environmental stewardship, route management and event operations.”
As part of the process, the ACU has worked with organisers and NRW to introduce updated event documentation, environmental protocols and standardised operating procedures for Welsh Enduro events. Earlier this year, organisers also met in Rhayader to undertake training on the new requirements.
Paula Harley, Head of Land Stewardship for Natural Resources Wales, said: “NRW is pleased to have worked with the ACU to develop the new agreement, and we look forward to working with them in the future.”
The five-year agreement is also a major boost for the planning of the 2027 International Six Days Enduro (ISDE), with Welsh forests expected to play a key role in delivering one of the world’s premier off-road motorcycle events.
The ISDE and other prominent Welsh Enduro events also make an important contribution to rural economies across mid-Wales, bringing competitors, teams and spectators into local communities throughout the season.
The ACU would like to thank Enduro subject experts Andy Waters, Huw Watkins and Phil Wilkinson, whose knowledge and experience in forestry-based Enduro events proved instrumental during the process to establish a new spirit of collaboration between NRW and the ACU.
Andy Waters, Vice Chairman of the Enduro Commission, a figure that has been organising events since 1981, and someone that is experienced in dealing with Forestry England, said: “It’s been a real challenge and has taken a lot of hard work by a number of ACU personnel to get to this stage, so I’m personally very glad we’ve secured a long-term agreement with NRW because gaining access to land is becoming more and more difficult."
There’s still some work to be done around environmental management, sustainability, and the detailed consideration required for reinstatement, but organisers will be fully supported via a suite of templated documents and training to ensure these critical deliverables are approached in a consistent way.”