CALLS for the National Trust to take action over flytipping and illegal camping at a Carmarthenshire beauty spot have been led by a local MP.
Mountains of waste have been left at Morfa Bychan near Pendine since the end of last summer and illegal campers have already pitched up this year.
“If this was happening at Freshwater West then quite rightly there would be a public outcry,” said Simon Hart: “But because this is a less well known spot this rubbish has been left there for nearly six months.”
The problem arises because a track that leads to the small cove means that anyone can drive down to the bay.
“Last summer there were people camping there for months and when they left there was a huge pile of waste – including a broken trampoline, kids’ bikes and old mattresses,” added Mr Hart:
“It’s been made worse because a plastic container that has also been left there is now being used like a skip and campers dump their black bin bags in it. These then get ripped open by gulls and the litter is blown up the valley.
“The rubbish was reported in September to Carmarthenshire County Council but no action has been taken yet. “But this land is owned by the National Trust and I have written to them to ask that they urgently tidy it up and prevent fly camping.
“When I visited a few weeks’ ago I was amazed to see four campervans and a caravan were there, they were clearly going to stay sometime as they had set up a pig roast.”
Local resident Ruth Griffiths, who regularly walks down to the bay, said: “There have always been a few people camping down there on and off over the summer and no one minded as long as they left nothing behind, but now they turn up in campervans and stay for months and then leave so much rubbish behind. It is absolutely horrendous.”
The road down to the bay is used regularly by Welsh Water as they need access to a reservoir pumping station in the bay and the lane is classified as a Byway Open to All Traffic (BOAT).
Mr Hart added: “As I understand it, this means that it is difficult to restrict vehicle access but I have asked the Trust to erect some “no camping” signs and for them to police the ban.
“This was one of the most beautiful and unspoilt bays in south west Wales and what is happening down there is a terrible shame.”
Carmarthenshire County Council confirmed that clearing the site and policing any campers would be the responsibility of the National Trust, which owns the land.
A spokesman for the National Trust said: “We’re grateful to Mr Hart for raising this matter with us and the local media. Unfortunately, we have an ongoing problem at the area where a small group of people acting illegally are spoiling the enjoyment of the area for the majority.
“Ragwen Point is a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) and indeed the bay was used by Allied Forces preparing for the Normandy landings, evidence of the structures used then can still be seen.
“We do have regular litter picks and beach cleans in the area – particularly during the height of the summer season – but we do ask visitors to be socially responsible and take litter home with them. We appreciated any assistance we can get from MPs, councillors and the media in getting that message across.
“However, illegal flytipping and camping is a more challenging problem for us and the community. We are having conversations with other partners in the area about setting up lockable barriers that would prevent flytippers and illegal campers getting to the site but allow other users to continue enjoying the beauty and remoteness of Morfa Bychan/Ragwen.”
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