COVID-19: Visitors turned away from Brecon Beacons after ‘hundreds of vehicles’ arrive
Written by News on 30/12/2020
Police have been stopping visitors trying to “enjoy the snow” at the Brecon Beacons after hundreds of vehicles arrived at the national park despite Wales being in lockdown.
One man drove nearly 200 miles from Hertfordshire to walk up Pen-y-Fan, while a minibus of mixed households had travelled to the area from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, according to Dyfed-Powys Police.
Officers issued fixed penalty notices for some breaches, though many people listened to advice and returned home after seeing police in the area, a spokesman said.
A national lockdown came into force across Wales on 20 December.
Under the Alert Level 4 restrictions, only essential travel is permitted for the likes of caring responsibilities or work.
People are allowed to shop for food and exercise, but should only do so alone or with a member of their household or support bubble.
Inspector Andrew Williams, from Dyfed-Powys Police’s specialist operations team, said: “We are carrying out high-visibility patrols at Storey Arms and engaging with people to remind them of their responsibilities to adhere to Welsh government lockdown restrictions.
“There are a couple of hundred vehicles in the area.”
He added: “Officers have spoken to one man who had driven from Hertfordshire to walk up Pen-y-Fan, while a minibus of people from mixed households had travelled from Cheltenham.
“Fixed penalty notices have and will be issued to those blatant breaches where engagement fails, but the vast majority of people are listening to advice and when they are turning up and seeing RPU vehicles at the site, they are turning around and going home – which is the objective of our high visibility patrols.”
Powys County Council said Wales was “not open” for visitors to travel from other parts of the UK unless for essential reasons.
Councillor Graham Breeze said he was “shocked” to witness large numbers of people heading to the Brecon Beacons to “enjoy the snow”.
He added: “We all know that getting out and about is good for your mental health, but please stick to the rules and stay close to home.
“We are at Alert Level 4 for a reason, because there has been a huge spike in COVID-19 cases which is affecting all parts of Wales.
He said the increasing number of visitors is “putting a huge strain” on Wales’ health and social care services while placing the vulnerable at risk.
(c) Sky News 2020: COVID-19: Visitors turned away from Brecon Beacons after ‘hundreds of vehicles’ arrive
