Residents and council clash over 'great wall'

Residents have clashed with a council after a 2.1m galvanised steel fence – dubbed the 'Great Wall of Clydach' by villagers – was put up without notice on a hillside in Monmouthshire.

The 200m (652ft) fence was built along Pwll Du Road, which has been temporarily closed to traffic for five years, and across the face of Gilwern mountain overlooking Clydach.

Residents demanded the "disgusting" fence be taken down at a meeting on Wednesday evening – despite the council's insistence access to the road must be prevented due to fears it could collapse at any moment.

The council apologised after the fence was put up over three days without communicating the plans to residents.