Council apologises to residents after ‘monstrous’ railings ‘blight’ national park

Stephen Price

Monmouthshire County Council has apologised to residents of a picturesque Bannau Brycheiniog community for failing to consult with them or ‘explain the rationale’ after two metre high railings appeared along a disused quarry road.

Locals in Clydach and Llanelly Hill in Monmouthshire recently woke up to the sight of large metal railings which were installed during the week commencing 31 March along Pwll Du Road above Clydach’s quarry and limeworks.

Passers-by have since spotted the ‘monstrous’ large fence from miles away in the opposite side of the picturesque valley, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSI) while driving on the nearby A465 Heads of the Valleys road.

A Monmouthshire County Council spokesperson said: “The road was closed in 2020 due to serious safety concerns over the structural integrity of the roads supporting sub-structures.

“We have installed a number of temporary measures since 2020. However, these have been damaged or removed, resulting in users putting themselves and others at risk. A recent rock fall in the adjacent quarry has further undermined the road.

“Therefore, we made the decision to install a permanent fence to address the ongoing safety risks. We acknowledge, however, that in undertaking this action, we failed to consult with local residents or explain the rationale for the installation of the fence.

“We apologise for this and are listening to the concerns raised over the visual impact of the fencing. We are committed to working with the community and their elected representatives to find ways to mitigate the impact of the structure while ensuring the safety risks associated with the deteriorating road are effectively managed.”

The road on Gilwern hill has been inaccessible since 2020 following safety concerns over lack of barriers and ongoing landslides caused by the unstable sandstone and limestone quarry below, but villagers claim that no consultation has taken place over the railings which they say have ‘ruined’ the appearance of their beloved mountain.

While Clydach Gorge, is considered a “true hidden gem” and is an area of outstanding natural beauty, rich in industrial archaeology and home to a National Nature Reserve

Questions

Residents have expressed concern over the lack of public consultation, with John Hunt who lives nearby, writing: “How an earth has this been allowed in the National park? What planning approval was there? Why? How’s it supposed to work? How much does it cost?”

He added: “There is local outrage already at this eyesore being allowed in an area of outstanding beauty, it can be seen from the HOV and all around the area.

“I have now measured the height of this fence which exceeds 2 metres everywhere and generally is between 2.1 and 2.2 metres. So it required planning consent under planning rules (greater than 2 metres) but I have been unable to find it on the park’s portal at all.

“However, given the location I would have thought any 400-metre-long structure would require some sort of planning consent anyway.

“Now that the gates have been added, it shows the limited space behind the fence for walkers and certainly inadequate for bikes. And another view from the bottom railway track/cycle path.

“Rough calculations suggest that this has cost at least £40K of our money, when the local roads are full of potholes because there is none to spare.”

While another resident shared: “I noticed lots of work going on last Monday, then saw the fencing while driving home on the Heads of the Valleys late last week.

“The area is a tourist hotspot because of its natural beauty, and there are cliff faces, steep drops and old relics at every corner – this sets a very worrying precedent for the rest of the gorge.

“Surely we should have been consulted, and any fencing should be as inconspicuous as possible?”

“Hideous”

Villagers have taken to the local Facebook page to update each other in lieu of any official information, complaining about the design and lack of consultation, with many pointing out the fencing’s ‘inadequacy’.

Linda Lane wrote: “Heritage Site, you’re having a laugh. Absolutely hideous spoilt a beautiful area, National Parks how have you let them get away with this !!!

“If it’s supposed to be unsafe , by the look of that you will be walking on the unsafe side too.”

Thomas Humphreys added: “National Parks… what a joke, they come down on residents like a ton of bricks for painting your windows the wrong colour then allow something like this, shocking!”

While Wayne Elliott shared: “I noted it going up early in the week and e-mailed the local authority as they previously agreed to have open dialogue with the community before further acting in regard to the roads temporary closure.

“This was on the back of me taking them to court over the road closure matter a little over two years back, after which they promised to work with the community and not act in isolation, so much for that! I have spoken with councillor Simon Howarth on the matter, he was not aware of the councils actions despite expressly asking previously to be involved given he represents the local community as a councillor.”

John Hunt has completed a complaint to the National Park Authority and is currently encouraging others to do so here: https://beacons-npa.gov.uk/planning/enforcement-monitoring/forms/

Bannau Brycheniog National Park shared: “We can confirm we have received an enforcement complaint, and we are investigating it further.”