Latest actions to deter crowds ahead of Elvis weekend

Bridgend County Borough Council has worked alongside partners such as South Wales Police and the Shared Regulatory Service to introduce a range of measures designed to deter people from travelling to Porthcawl this weekend.

With new restrictions in place following a huge rise in cases of coronavirus across the region, the council is appealing to people who may be planning to celebrate despite the cancelled Elvis festival to stay away.

Normally held between 25-27 September, this year’s festival has been cancelled due to the impact of the ongoing pandemic, and the need to avoid people from gathering in large numbers.

Following discussions with Welsh Government and Trecco Bay operators Park Dean, anyone who is not already a resident of Bridgend County Borough has been told they must leave the caravan park.

Around 4,000 people have left Trecco Bay, which styles itself as being the largest caravan holiday park in Europe, with operators offering options for refunds and credit.

Elsewhere, hotels and accommodation providers have rearranged bookings to take account of the new restrictions, which came into effect on Tuesday 22 September, and the car park at Newton Beach has been closed by its private owners in a bid to deter camper vans and visitors intending to stay for the whole weekend.

The council has erected digital signage at key entry points into the county borough and along the M4 motorway to remind people that the Elvis Festival has been cancelled, and that pandemic restrictions are in place.

Tannoy cars and enforcement officers will be on patrol over the weekend. Officers from the Shared Regulatory Service will be monitoring the situation, and South Wales Police have confirmed that there will be a full presence in the town.

The Leader, Cllr Huw David, said: “I like to thank the operators of Trecco Bay, hoteliers and other business owners for embracing the need to do all that we can to ensure the safety of visitors and residents.

“As part of our joint efforts to limit the spread of the coronavirus, it is essential that we avoid crowds of people turning up for the cancelled Elvis Festival.

“Not only do we need people to think twice, stay safe and stay home, we all need to come together to act as a single, unified community as well, and to do all that we can to help keep everyone safe.”