A FARMER who says tourists are destroying one of the UK’s greatest treasures has been forced to take matters into his own hands.
Meredydd Williams, 68, said he is being made to look like the bad guy because he dug up a car park for those wanting to visit Snowdonia‘s greatest historic treasures – Tomen y Mûr.
WNSA farmer says tourists are destroying one of the UK’s greatest treasures[/caption]
WNSTomen y Mûr in Snowdonia can no longer be fully explored[/caption]
The Roman military settlement, in Wales, can no longer be fully explored after landowner Meredydd took action after he claimed tourists were ruining the sites.
He claimed they were climbing on structures and the ancient artefacts while some would park up late at night and explore with a metal detector for hidden treasure.
Meredydd reached his wits end when passing trucks then ruined the site – accusing heritage body Cadw, which manages the site with Eryri National Park Authority (NPA), of not fixing the issues.
The angered farmer told NorthWalesLive: “Serious damage has been done, these activities are scarring the landscape.
“It’s a disgrace. I’m being made to look like the bad guy when really I’m the good guy.”
A voluntary access agreement between the landowner and Eryri NPA was not renewed following talks last year.
With neither party returning to the table, Meredydd said he’s been forced to manage and maintain the site himself and out of his own pocket.
He added: “With help from my neighbours, I’ve been looking after the site for as long as I can remember.
“But it’s got to work both ways – they’ve got to work with me to stop the illegal activities.
“Ninety nine per cent of the visitors are great but one per cent like to dig up the site and cause trouble.”
A spokesman for Eryri NPA said: “As part of the access agreement, which has now lapsed, parking provision was formerly made available to visitors on a private roadside parcel of land.
“This is no longer available.
“Alternative or additional parking provision would require the necessary consents.
“The authority is unaware of any such proposals and therefore we cannot comment on these until we have received further details.”
They also claim to have looked into site damage but found the police took no further action.
A Cadw spokesperson said: “We have worked in partnership with Eryri National Park and the private owner of Tomen y Mur for many years to support the conservation of this important historic site and make it accessible for visitors to enjoy.
“While there is some limited public access still available along the pre-existing rights of way, Cadw would welcome the establishment of the new gated car park.”
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