‘Reckless’ tourists tombstoning into fast-flowing river causing chaos at Eryri beauty spot

A rise in antisocial behaviour has been blamed on groups drinking and taking drugs while wild camping in the area.

A well-known tourist spot in Eryri (Snowdonia) has seen a surge in tombstoning linked to “unpleasant” visitors.

Jumping from the historic bridge in Betws-y-Coed has long been a local tradition, but in recent years the activity has been discouraged.

North Wales Police have started regular patrols around Pont-y-Pair bridge, a narrow crossing over the River Llugwy that dates back more than 500 years.

Photo © David Dixon (cc-by-sa/2.0)

It follows complaints that groups of young people have been “causing havoc” on the bridge and behaving aggressively while leaping 20ft into the water below.

Because of safety concerns, the site was once covered by a Police Public Space Protection Order. A CCTV camera was even installed, with anyone caught jumping threatened with a £100 fine.

That camera is no longer in use and the local byelaw has since expired. Last week, a multi-agency meeting was held in Betws-y-Coed to discuss “social disorder and bridge jumping” and to consider whether restrictions should be brought back.

Betws-y-Coed Community Council acknowledged that tombstoning has been part of village life for generations.

Photo © Peter S (cc-by-sa/2.0)

But in a statement, the council said: “In recent times there has been a clear shift in behaviour and the type of people it attracts, which is leading to disorder, drug taking and alcohol-related problems.”

Trouble flared last month when a large group of visitors arrived in the village. Councillors said the “unpleasant experience” included threatening behaviour while they jumped into the river. Traffic was blocked on the bridge, and after the group left, the area was left littered with rubbish.

At last week’s meeting, Natural Resources Wales staff raised further concerns about incidents at Llyn Geirionydd near Trefriw and the Miner’s Bridge near Betws-y-Coed. They said groups of young campers were lighting fires, drinking heavily and openly taking drugs.

Conwy Council has now promised to review other byelaws in the community to see if they can be applied to the bridge and to confirm who has the authority to enforce them.

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As with anywhere outdoors, kindly keep these areas pristine and wild by taking all trash with you. The amount of complaints we have seen since the pandemic is crazy. It's really not that hard to take your rubbish with you!

Litter tends to spread, so if you see any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the hidden gem, it will help keep the area tidy.

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