03 September 2023 , 13:35
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Locals at a popular seaside spot are furious after “idiotic” and “irresponsible” drivers of 4x4s drove onto a beach as children and dogs were roaming free.
On Bank Holiday Monday, beachgoers were shocked to see three 4x4s drive onto Traeth Cysgod y Llanw, near Llanfwrog, on the isle of Anglesey in Wales. Apparently unable to find anywhere to park near to the beauty spot, the drivers took matters into their own hands, heading onto the beach and parking up.
According to witnesses, the visitors stopped for a BBQ and left their litter behind. A woman said more vehicles were parked up further along the beach.She was saddened to see the beach being used “like a car park”. On Facebook, she said: “There were people there with children playing not expecting to have to look out for cars. I had to call my dog back to me as there was one driving towards her.
“It’s not great when we can’t feel safe on our local beaches. I felt angry and upset – I’m not a fan of selfish, inconsiderate and self-entitled behaviour. I wouldn’t dream of driving onto a beach but it seems that some people think they can park wherever they want.” Traeth Cysgod y Llanw is small and the bay is reportedly rich in wildlife. As well as the safety threat, there was alarm over the potential for oil leaks on the beach’s sand.
They drove onto Traeth Cysgod y Llanw at Porth Trefadog, where they reportedly set up a BBQ before leaving their litter (Gillian Metcalf)The drivers were branded “idiots” and “irresponsible” and were accused of “dangerous” behaviour, NorthWalesLive reports. Several residents have vowed to lobby Anglesey Council and local politicians. For some, it was a show of disrespect. “It is totally selfish to drive cars onto that beach,” said a Facebook user. “Clearly not appropriate but some people don’t care about others.”
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The incident was the latest in a series of reported transgressions by drivers with no apparent regard for public safety on the island’s beaches. Lockable barriers have been erected on some Anglesey beaches and there have been calls for similar measures at other locations. Anglesey Council said bylaws are in place banning vehicular access on many of the island’s beaches. The local authority pledged to consider installing more barriers if problems persisted.
Anglesey Council erected barriers at Porth Tywyn Mawr (Sandy Beach), near Llanfwrog, following complaints that cars and motorhomes were parking on the beach (Daily Post Wales)Some Anglesey residents trapped in their own homes by illicit and inconsiderate parking have had enough. “I can’t wait until winter,” one sighed. “This island is a nightmare now in the summer.” Andy Godber, Anglesey Council’s visitor economy and coastal areas manager, said many of the island’s most popular and accessible beaches have bylaws prohibiting the use of “mechanically-propelled vehicles” on the foreshore. Exceptions are allowed for launching and recovering boats, litter collection, and area maintenance.
He said: “At certain locations, some individuals have not adhered to these bylaws. Consequently, barriers have been installed at certain locations to restrict vehicle access. These barriers were installed following consultation with local communities. We continue to monitor and assess the impact this issue has at locations across the island. If the issues are determined to have a detrimental effect on the safety and enjoyment of others or nature conservation, then we will liaise further with local communities to look at restricting vehicle access and installing new signage.”