Call for lay-bys to be closed to stop people travelling to the countryside
Lay-bys across the Shropshire/Welsh border should be temporarily closed to deter people from breaking Covid-19 rules, say politicians.
Clwyd West member of the Senedd Darren Millar and two Denbighshire county councillors, Martin Holland and Huw Williams say people are parking in lay-bys alongside easily accessible countryside to go walking and sledging during lockdown, despite Welsh Government Covid rules stating that people should not travel for exercise,
Darren said: “In between Christmas and New Year, Denbighshire Council rightly took the decision to close the car parks at Loggerheads and Moel Famau following reports of large numbers gathering there over the festive break.
“Whilst such action has had the desired effect, unfortunately people have now taken to parking along the A494 and in lay-bys along this stretch to access nearby fields for walks and sledging.
“North Wales Police are patrolling the area, but even this does not seem to be deterring people and I think the only way to put an end to it is to temporarily close off the lay-bys.”
Councillor Holland, who represents Llanarmon-yn-Iâl and Llandegla, said: “As a County Councillor, I always dread it when it snows as people flock here to sledge. But given all the terrible news on the television in recent weeks regarding the pandemic, I’ve been shocked that people are still travelling here.
“The Welsh Government rules clearly state that you should not be travelling for exercise.
“My constituents are very concerned that they are being put at risk and I’m therefore calling for these lay-bys to be temporarily closed to prevent people coming here during lockdown.”
