FOOTPATHS and car parks have been closed in Powys due to the continued actions of people visiting Mid Wales beauty spots despite the country being under national lockdown.

The Brecon Beacons National Park Authority (BBNPA) says it has closed access to beauty spots in the south of the county, due to fact visitors continue to flock to areas like Pen y Fan.

Although Wales remains in lockdown, it has become apparent that people are continuing to park at popular Brecon Beacons beauty spots, against Welsh Government regulations and putting themselves and the park’s fragile rural communities at risk.

As a result, the National Park Authority, working in cooperation with the local authorities and other partners, has closed areas of the National Park which are popular with visitors and which pose a risk for the transmission of coronavirus.

These closures ensure that the authority is complying with the the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (Functions of Local Authorities etc.) (Wales) Regulations 2020. The areas affected are listed at the bottom of this article.

Julian Atkins, chief executive of the BBNPA, said: “In agreement with the Welsh Government, Dyfed Powys Police, the National Trust, South Wales Trunk Road Agency, Natural Resources Wales and Powys County Council, we have closed two areas of land either side of the A470, through the Central Beacons.

“People should not be using their cars to enjoy a walk in the countryside, Welsh Government guidance states that exercise should start and finish at home.

“We would like to thank both residents and visitors for their patience, support and for continuing to respect the restrictions in Wales. The protected landscape will be well worth the wait when it’s finally safe to return – safe for local communities, visitors and staff.”

Areas and locations that are closed:

Central Beacons

Those areas of access land, above the hill fence, comprising of the Central Brecon Beacons including Pen y Fan, Corn Du, Cribyn, Waun Lysiog, Twyn Mwyalchod, Graig Fan Ddu, Gwaun Taf, Gwaun Perfedd, Cefn Crew, Tyle Brith, Pen Milan, Y Gyrn, Cefn Cwm Llwch, Allt Ddu and Bryn Teg, including all public footpaths, bridleways and restricted byways are closed.

Eastern Great Forest

Those areas of access land, above the hill fence, within and adjacent to the Eastern Great Forest including Fan Fawr, Rhos Dringarth, Fan Dringarth, Fan Llia, Waun Llywarch, Ton Teg, Waun Tincer and Mynydd y Garn and all public footpaths and restricted byways within those areas are closed.

The Beacons Way

The Beacons Way where it crosses any of the above areas is closed.

Other sites that are closed

Taf Fechan Forest car parks at Neuadd (SO03768,16960) and Cwmyfedwen (SO04235,16399)

Pont-ar-Daf car park adjacent to the A470 (SN98689,19989)

Storey Arms car park adjacent to the A470 (SN98369,19915)

All lay-bys between the junction of the A470 with the A4059 (SN99008,18166) in a northerly direction up to and including the lay-by to the north west of Storey Arms (SN97750,20377).

National Park Visitor Centre Libanus, cafe, toilets and shop.

Craig y nos Country Park, Café, shops, toilets and car park.

Cwm Porth, car park and toilets.

Abergavenny Tourist Information Centre.