Sledge-wielding visitors flock to Welsh beauty spots including the Brecon Beacons despite police pleas to stay away and threats of fines during coronavirus lockdown
- Hikers defied pleas from officials and headed to the Storey Arms beauty spot
- Brecon authorities have expressly told people to follow ‘stay at home’ orders
- But they acknowledged ‘it is clear’ people have been flouting the rules
Crowds descended on the Brecon Beacons today despite Welsh police and park authorities urging people to stick to stringent lockdown rules.
Hikers and families with sledges defied pleas from officials and headed to the snow-blanketed Storey Arms beauty spot, wrapping up for the crisp wintry weather.
Brecon Beacons authorities have expressly told people to follow ‘stay at home’ orders and not come to the site.
‘Wales is in lockdown with only essential travel permitted, therefore people are unable to drive to visit any of the Welsh National Parks,’ reads the instruction.
Hikers defied pleas from officials and headed to the Storey Arms beauty spot, wrapping up for the crisp wintry weather
Crowds descended on the Brecon Beacons today despite Welsh police and rangers urging people to stick to stringent lockdown rules
But they acknowledged ‘it is clear’ people have been flouting the rules and ‘putting themselves and the Park’s fragile rural communities at greater risk’.
And yesterday police threatened rule-breakers with hefty fines after it emerged that English residents were crossing into Wales and make use of the sprawling hills.
Welsh Government guidance is to exercise locally and officers have stepped up patrols to enforce the country’s ‘Alert Level 4’ restrictions.
But there did not appear to be a large police presence today and warnings did not deter people driving to Brecon, where cars lined the walking routes.
The warnings did not deter people driving to Brecon this morning and cars were pictured parked by the snow-blanketed countryside
Brecon Beacons authorities have expressly told people to follow ‘stay at home’ orders and not come to the site
Police refuse visitors from Snowdon
Police yesterday stopped and turned away a number of visitors who wanted to walk up frozen Snowdon.
Many were from the north Wales area. However, some had travelled more than 200 miles from London and Milton Keynes to walk their dogs and enjoy the snow.
Welsh Government restrictions allow only essential travel.
North Wales police urged : ‘Please listen to what is being asked of you – we are in the midst of a global health pandemic.’
It came as the UK reported a record 57,725 cases amid dire warnings from medics of hospitals creaking under the load of new patients.
Brecon park authorities said that people heading to the beauty spot could contribute to the strain.
Tegryn Jones, Chief Executive of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority said: ‘There is no doubt these are challenging times but all of our safety depends on people respecting the rules and doing the right thing.
Right now this means staying at home to stay safe and only exercising from our doorsteps. If not, there is real concern that our rural health services will face increased pressure and social distancing measures will not be followed.’
Yesterday North Wales Police blasted Bank Holiday walkers who journeyed up to 270 miles to snow-covered Snowdonia National Park to scale Wales’ biggest mountain.
They drove from as far away as Kent, Southampton and Solihull, the force revealed on Twitter.
North Wales Police tweeted: ‘Patrols continue across North Wales and we are working closely with our colleagues.
‘Several reported for Covid-19 breaches already today – with some travelling here from as far as Southampton, Kent and Sollihull. Please do not travel for exercise.’
Brecon park authorities said that people heading to the beauty spot could contribute to the strain
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