Over 2,000 sign petition against boulders used to block parking at popular beach

Gareth Williams, local democracy reporter

More than 2,000 people have signed a petition calling for the removal of boulders at a popular Anglesey beach, following an apparent attempt to stop people from parking on it.

Claiming that “local landowners have decided to act upon themselves” to block vehicles from parking on the foreshore with “damaging and quite frankly dangerous boulders”, the petition is urging authorities to take action.

The boulders are understood to have been placed there in late March following claims of “hordes of Campervans and Motorhomes” parking for free at the site.

But the petition, which was only set up this week, also notes that the rights of local people have been affected and calls on the local authority to invest in wardens and more bins.

It states: “These people have come down there to try to claim ownership of this land and stop others from enjoying it.

“These boulders are blocking emergency services, such as the coastguard and ambulance from gaining access directly to the beach.

“This petition is here to show that as a local village community, we will not allow this to happen and we will come together and force the Anglesey County Council to make a stance on this, to stop it happening now, and to protect it for future generations to enjoy this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.”

Claiming that the authority “has not been doing enough to protect the beach”, it says: “This beach deserves to be looked after, by providing the relevant services to allow people to come and enjoy this beach for what it should be, a safe place for families to come to with their children knowing that it is clean and safe for them to enjoy.

“Get the council to put new bins along the foreshore, giving those who wish to come down to the beach plenty of options to keep it clean.”

Exact ownership of the land has not been clearly established, although Anglesey Council has said it is not its responsibility.

Efforts have been made by the Local Democracy Reporting Service to contact nearby landowners via Llanddona Community Council, which has organised meetings  over recent weeks involving councillors and local landowners to try to solve the impasse.

But while one community councillor believes that campervans are an issue, he is adamant that blocking access was “not the way to go about it”.

‘It’s wrong’

Cllr Myrddin Roberts added: “Some of these people have only just moved here yet now decide to block off access to a beautiful beach that’s been enjoyed by generations of local people. It’s wrong.

“Many people who are disabled or elderly enjoy being driven down to the beach, but they can’t do that now as the public car park doesn’t have the same access. It feels like something’s been lost.”

Local county councillor Carwyn Jones said: “I have asked those who placed the aggressive boulders and barriers to remove them and for discussion to take place.

“This request to remove the boulders was refused by those who placed them there.

“I would like to see the foreshore come under the ownership and protection of Llanddona Community Council like the common land within the village.

“In this way, the area can be managed and protected and for all to enjoy and a group such as friends of Llanddona beach could be created.

“We want to see a solution and hopefully we can get everyone around the table again to discuss further.

“We hope those who placed the rocks will remove and discuss a way forward with us and Llanddona Community Council.”

Anglesey Council has been approached to comment on the possibility of further maintenance and bins in the area.

But on the ongoing concerns over parking on the beach, a spokesman said: “The land on which this parking occurs is not within the ownership of the council, and therefore the council cannot take any enforcement action or implement any measures to prohibit or control or encourage use.

“The nearby car park has remained open and is available for use.

“We are currently engaging with local landowners and the community council to try to identify appropriate solutions to address the issues and concerns that exist locally.”

The petition can be found here.