'Disgusting!' Council row erupts as giant metal fence suddenly appears in iconic national park

Angry villagers confronted council officials at a heated meeting in Clydach Village Hall, demanding the removal of the structure despite the council's insistence it is necessary for safety reasons.

The controversial fence was installed without warning over three days last week.

The fence is located within the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park, close to the Unesco Blaenavon World Heritage site boundary.

From ground level, the structure appears as a solid wall across the face of the mountain that overlooks Clydach.

It was revealed at the meeting that the controversial barrier cost taxpayers £40,000 to purchase and install.

Though intended as a temporary measure for nine months, the council has indicated it will consider removing it earlier following the backlash.

Monmouthshire County Council officials defended the fence as a safety measure, stating that previous efforts to keep vehicles off the road had failed.

Carl Touhig, the council's neighbourhood manager responsible for highways, explained that gates and boulders had been damaged or removed.

A rockfall in 2023 prompted further investigation, which suggested the road should be closed to both vehicles and pedestrians.

Touhig warned: "A rockfall could take the whole road out. If someone was on that road and I know I've not made it safe I could be prosecuted for corporate manslaughter."

Residents at the meeting expressed strong opposition to the fence, with most raising their hands when asked if they wanted it removed.

Former county councillor Martin Thomas called the fence "disgusting" and raised concerns about safety on the A465 below.

"What about the visual impact? It could cause the first fatality on the Heads of the Valleys road with people looking up at the glare," he said.

Other concerns included impacts on wildlife, particularly a breeding pair of peregrine falcons, mental health effects, and potential decreases in house prices.

Council bosses apologised for the lack of communication and failure to keep promises about updating the community on the road's future.

They agreed the fence could potentially be reduced in height and painted a darker colour such as green to minimise its visual impact.

However, it was noted that galvanized steel isn't suitable for painting.

The council has committed to mitigating the fence's impact "as soon as practicable" once they understand what local residents want.

Senior officer Debra Hill-Howells acknowledged the council needed to improve its communication as a highways authority.

A further public meeting has been scheduled for 14 May to discuss permanent solutions.

The council has committed to working with the community on both mitigating the fence's impact and providing a long-term fix.

Among options being considered are new footpaths over the mountain top and below the existing road.

Rebuilding the road further back into the mountain has been estimated to cost more than £1 million.

Local farmer Wayne Elliot remains unconvinced about the danger, stating: "I'm not worried about it collapsing it's been there donkey's years."