Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Cabinet has this week (17 September) unanimously approved the reintroduction of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to block unauthorised vehicle access to the Cefn Brithdir area of the Gelligaer and Merthyr Common for the next three years, in a major step to combat fly-tipping and protect the local environment.
The PSPO, made under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, will allow the Council to install and manage barriers at key access points on the site. Legitimate users, including commoners, emergency services, contractors, walkers, cyclists, and local groups, will retain access through a managed key system.
A previous PSPO on the site proved to be highly effective, with fly-tipping incidents dropping significantly while the barriers were in place. Since it expired there has been a resurgence of waste dumping, prompting calls from residents and community groups for renewed action.
