RURAL communities are at risk because too many people are driving to beauty spots near the Herefordshire-Powys border, Brecon Beacons National Park Authority has said.

While England and Wales are both still in lockdowns in a bid to control the spread of coronavirus, the authority said people breaching Welsh Government rules is putting "the park's fragile rural communities at risk".

To tackle the problem, bosses have closed areas of the park which are popular with 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," the authority said.

"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."

Areas which have been closed include the popular Pen y Fan in the central beacons, south of Brecon.

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Julian Atkins, chief executive of the authority added: “In agreement with, 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.

"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.

Under the current lockdown in Wales, people must start and finish their exercise from their front door, and driving to exercise is not considered essential.

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, café, toilets and shop.
  • Craig y nos Country Park, Café, shops, toilets and car park.
  • Cwm Porth, car park and toilets.
  • Abergavenny tourist information centre