NATURE lovers have again been warned not to visit Mid Wales beauty spots, or enter Powys from England, after a minibus driver was fined for bringing a party of 10 people to the Brecon Beacons on Saturday.

Dyfed Powys Police reported that the minibus driver had brought his passengers from Cheltenham to the Brecon Beacons on February 13. The 10 passengers were presumably off exploring the local area as police revealed they were not present when police arrived.

Cheltenham is an hour and 39 minute’s drive from Pen y Fan, in the heart of the Beacons – or 79 miles – and local police are again finding themselves reiterating the same message.

“The BBNP remains closed, do not drive to the area, you will be fined,” tweeted Breconshire Police.

“One minibus driver booked today drove from Cheltenham, with 10 passengers, the passengers were not present on police attendance, 2 from Swansea area also booked #stayhome #savelifes.”

Some of the most popular parts of the Beacons have been closed off in recent weeks – including car parks and footpaths – due to people continuing to insist on break lockdown rules by travelling to the area.

Hundreds of people were fined for breaking Covid-19 rules in Wales over the first weekend of February.

Dyfed Powys Police intercepted three people visiting the Brecon Beacons on Monday, February 1. Motorists from Cardiff and Bristol were sent back from popular walking hot spot Pen-y-Fan, near Brecon, while one person had travelled from Liverpool – a distance of more than three hours and over 130 miles.

The Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, in light of continuing problems, released a statement and closed Central Beacons footpaths and car parks to deter visitors.

“While Wales remains in lockdown, it has become apparent that people are continuing to park at popular National Park beauty spots, against Welsh Government regulations and putting themselves and the park’s fragile rural communities at risk,” said the BBNPA in a January 27 statement.

“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.”

Julian Atkins, chief executive of the authority, said: “In agreement with the Welsh Government, Dyfed Powys Police, 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.”

Superintendent Craig Templeton, from Dyfed Powys Police, added: “It has been disappointing for officers carrying out high-visibility patrols in the Central Beacons area, as we’ve seen scenes where there were hundreds of vehicles present.

“Over the Christmas period they were engaging with people to remind them of their responsibilities to adhere to Welsh Government essential travel lockdown restrictions, and some had travelled from as far afield as Hertfordshire and Cheltenham.

“Fixed penalty notices have and will be issued to those blatant breaches where engagement fails. But we have continued to see people venturing to the area.

“We understand that this is a very difficult time and that these beauty spots are tempting to people, but there is good reason for the restrictions. We fully support this decision, and believe it is sensible for the National Park Authority to close areas of the national park at this time due to the risks involved.”

The BBNPA says the protected landscape will be well worth the wait when it’s finally safe to return – safe for local communities, visitors and staff.