Locals claim motorhomes and campervans are blatantly ignoring the risk of a £50 fine for parking on a Gwynedd beach because they know it won't happen. The vehicles are routinely parking on Black Rock Sands, say residents in Morfa Bychan, near Porthmadog, who say they are fed up with it.
A gate was installed on the beach entry road in 2018, and there is a sign warning of £50 fixed penalty notices 'as damages for trespass'. Gwynedd Council took the action to try to curb the activities of overnight campers amid claims motorhome toilets were being emptied in the dunes, a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
More than 150 vehicles were said to be being parked on the beach overnight, posing a health and safety issue. But despite the issue, a Freedom of Information request has confirmed that not a single fine has ever been issued to anyone breaking the rules there. And despite the fact overnighting numbers have since fallen, there were 62 motorhomes and tents pitched up on the beach on the August Bank Holiday Monday. You can get more local news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
