Mountain fence will be replaced after backlash

A HUGE fence put up across a mountain and overlooking a beauty spot is to be replaced after a public backlash.

- TWM OWEN Local democracy reporter

The 2.1m-tall (6ft) steel fence appeared suddenly and without warning across the face of Gilwern mountain in the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park and close to the boundary of the Unesco Blaenavon World Heritage site in April.

Locals dubbed the 200m-long galvanised steel structure with sharp spikes as the “Great Wall of Clydach” and demanded its removal.

Monmouthshire council, which said it had to take action to stop people accessing Pwll Du Road that runs across the face of the mountain and has been closed to traffic on safety grounds for the past five years, has now agreed to replace it.

The council has said it will use stock fencing instead and the posts at either end of the road, supporting the fence, will be reduced in height. It will also be painted to blend in with the surrounding countryside.