‘Absolute carnage’ as five-mile rule is lifted, and the Beacons fill up
SOME of Wales’ beaches and tourist hotspots were busier than they have been in weeks on Saturday as it marked the first weekend since the end of five-mile travel restrictions.
Many people were clearly keen to get out and explore areas they hadn’t been able to enjoy for months since the coronavirus lockdown.
Car parks at Pen y Fan were full before 8am on Saturday as eager climbers enjoyed the first weekend since the lifting of Wales’ “stay local” rule. The recently-relaxed restrictions allowed people across the UK to travel to Wales for the first time since March and to visit popular beauty spots.
An “extremely busy day” had been predicted at the Brecon Beacons National Park as a result, the local roads policing team said on Saturday.
They wrote on Twitter: “We’re out today monitoring what we anticipate to be an extremely busy day particularly in the @BreconBeaconsNP. Please ensure you are driving and parking safely and responsibly at all times.”
And car parks were busy with visitors long before the sun came up.
Tracy Purnell, 42, of Libanus, said: “I reached Pont ar Daf car park at 4am and had problems finding a space. It was extremely busy.
“I am a regular sunrise walker to Pen y Fan summit and it is only usually this busy for summer solstice.”
Despite the eased restrictions, Tracy said not everyone was mindful of Wales’ ongoing two-metre social distancing rule, with large crowds gathering at the summit.
“The feeling of being able to climb a mountain again in the Beacons after so long and be surrounded by the views and nature, I am sure Covid-19 was unfortunately far from people’s thoughts,” she said.
But, as crowds grew in the morning, others recommended avoiding the area altogether.
One person tweeted: “Just driven over the Brecon Beacons and if anyone is thinking of going to Pen Y Fan, I would highly recommend you don’t waste your time. It is absolute carnage.”
Meanwhile, as the five-mile restriction was relaxed and the sun came out, thousands flocked to beaches around Wales.
Even though the beaches weren’t perhaps as packed as they would be on your average summer’s day, some were more busy than they have been over the last few weeks.
Whitmore Bay at Barry Island was particularly busy as pictures show hundreds of people soaking up the sun as the good weather returned to Wales.
Porthcawl also saw people visit to sunbathe, catch-up with family and friends and have an ice cream in the nice weather.
Swansea wasn’t quite as busy, according to some reports, but still had plenty enjoying the sunshine.
With this week marking an official end to the ‘stay local’ rule, it also meant many families could be reunited for the first time in months.
People from two separate households are now able to join together to form one extended household, however far apart they are.