Motorhomes and campervans are routinely ignoring a Gwynedd beach parking ban, locals have said.
Residents in Morfa Bychan, near Porthmadog, have become increasing annoyed at the number of vehicles spending the night illegally on Black Rock Sands.
A Freedom of Information request by Natural Resources Wales revealed that no fines have been issued to campers since a night gate was installed on the beach entry road in 2018, alongside a sign warning £50 fixed penalty notices would be imposed “as damages for trespass”.
Gwynedd Council installed the gate amid claims portable toilets were being emptied in the dunes.
Helen Leeder, a quality manager at Natural Resources Wales, said: “Some weekends there can be 40 or 50 campervans, motorhomes and tents on the beach,” said
“Surely they can’t all be taking a chance and hoping not to be fined?
“Six days out of seven I’m on the beach at 6am and some days it’s alarming to see just how many vehicles are parked up there.”
The beach gate is locked during the tourism season at 8pm but residents claim scores of vehicles remain on the beach.
Helen’s Freedom of Information request received the following reply: “In terms of fixed penalty notices for remaining on the beach at Morfa Bychan overnight, we confirm that no fixed penalty notices have been issued.
“This area is not an area defined under an Order that permits the issuing of Fixed Penalty Notices.”
Helen added: “If I was trying to run a campsite business I would be pretty annoyed knowing the council was letting campervans stay for free on the beach.
“There’s also the safety issue – how would emergency vehicles get to the beach at night if something happens to the campers and the gates are locked?
“There’s been lots of discussion about it on local online forums.”
Gwynedd Council has secured funding for six French style aires for fully equipped campervans and motorhomes.
These are expected to be operational by next spring.
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