‘No-one social distancing as hundreds pack out popular lake beauty spot’

A POPULAR lake in Gwynedd was “rammed” with visitors apparently disregarding safety measures.

Llyn Padarn in Llanberis recently reopened after closing earlier this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Gwynedd council has, however, introduced signs restricting access to a pontoon.

But witnesses said the rules did not appear to be being followed.

Nathan McCarthy, from Bethel, said there were hundreds of people dotted around the lake on Sunday.

The 29-year-old said there were clear signs warning people not to go on the pontoon.

He said that thrillseekers had “completely disregarded the rules”.

He added there were “easily more than two hundred people in attendance, possibly double that”, and that roads in the village were also heavily congested.

He said there have been many visitors in recent weeks but noted that “it’s just extreme” this weekend.

Llanberis councillor Kevin Morris Jones said access to the lake itself is no longer restricted, as Llyn Padarn was recently reopened by the local authority in line with the easing of lockdown restrictions.

He confirmed that the pontoon at the lake remains “blocked off”

– as stated on signs located nearby.

The closure was meant to ensure that large crowds don’t congregate together in close proximity – in breach of social distancing rules introduced by the Welsh Government.

Cllr Jones said the local authority was aware of visitors ignoring such signs, but said it would be difficult to enforce the restrictions.

He said that it would be “tricky to get [people] off” without enforcement officers coming into close contact with visitors themselves.

North Wales Police said it was aware of the issues, but that they would be dealt with by local authorities.