**Controversial ‘Great Wall of Clydach’ Fence Costs Monmouthshire Council Nearly £70,000—and Counting**
A row has erupted in Monmouthshire after it emerged that the county council has already committed around £66,000 to a newly constructed steel fence in the rural village of Clydach, with further remedial works anticipated in response to widespread local criticism. Dubbed the ‘Great Wall of Clydach’, the imposing structure was erected across Gilwern mountain in April, but its abrupt appearance and substantial cost have sparked heated debate among residents and councillors alike.
The fence, which stretches over 200 metres within the scenic Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, stands at a height of 2.1 metres, or just under 7 feet. According to the local authority, it was installed as an emergency measure to restrict access to Pwll Du road—an area thought to be at risk of sudden collapse above a disused quarry. The need to take decisive action, the council insists, arose after previous safety barriers such as bollards and gates were repeatedly removed in acts deemed illegal.
Yet what may have been conceived as a safety measure has become a point of local contention. The installation was executed without public consultation, much to the annoyance of many villagers who have described the fence as both unsightly and excessive. Its industrial appearance—bristling with metal spikes—has drawn particular ire, with one councillor labelling it as “hideous”.
During a recent council session, the subject of the spiralling cost was brought to the fore by Councillor Richard John, the Conservative leader of the opposition group. He called on the council to offer full transparency regarding the total expenditure and questioned what processes would be put in place “so we do not see this huge scale of money wasted again”. Cllr John, who represents the areas of Mitchell Troy and Trellech, went on to express his frustration after inspecting the fence alongside colleagues, stating, “It’s absolutely hideous. It is 7ft high and has huge metal spikes.”
Councillor Catrin Maby, who oversees environmental matters for the Labour-run cabinet, provided a breakdown of the costs so far: £42,000 spent initially to instal the structure, with a further £22,000 allocated for modifications aiming to make the fence “more visually acceptable”. Following vociferous public complaints in May, the council resolved to lower the height of the fence and repaint it, accounting for an additional £20,000 beyond the original estimate.
Defending the outlay, Councillor Maby explained that the council had recorded instances of members of the public unknowingly venturing onto a road at risk of collapse. “Saving lives is our priority,” she insisted, highlighting that the issue was not merely bureaucratic but one of public safety. Notably, she pointed to widespread acts of vandalism as a factor that had inflated costs—remarking that if the project had not been subject to such disruption, the expenditure could have been limited to a mere £2,000.
Cllr John, echoing concerns raised by his constituents, maintained that there was a “real sense” that funds had been squandered. He pressed the cabinet for accountability and requested that the council clarify how much of the total sum might be seen as “unnecessary” spending, particularly given the raft of alterations now being made in response to public outcry.
In a pointed exchange, Cllr Maby countered by asking, “How much do you think saving a life is worth if you think that’s an over-expenditure?” Her remarks underline a clear divide over what constitutes necessary protection versus financial prudence.
The debate surrounding the fence highlights a broader issue of public consultation in rural infrastructure projects—many locals feel decisions are too often made without their input, with councillors left to pick up the pieces when controversy erupts.
As work continues to make the fence less obtrusive, Monmouthshire County Council faces the ongoing challenge of balancing its responsibility for public safety against the need for financial discipline and maintaining the rural character of the area. Whether the remedial work will succeed in winning over local opinion, however, remains to be seen.
The unfolding situation in Clydach has become a cautionary tale about the complexities that arise when public safety, local identity, and fiscal responsibility collide. For now, the “Great Wall of Clydach” stands as a visible reminder of those competing priorities.