Second Cadw investigation at same Offa’s Dyke site a month after 28 day stop notice was issued

Cadw and North Wales Police are again investigating following allegations that a section of Offa’s Dyke has been damaged.

29 days ago we reported that Cadw, the historic environment service of the Welsh Government, had issued a 28 day ‘stop notice’ after allegations that the same section of Offa’s Dyke had been damaged

The stop notice meant ‘all work should cease immediately for the period detailed and non-compliance with a stop notice is a criminal offence punishable by a fine’.

Today Cadw told us “We’ve been informed that work has restarted at the protected site and the matter is under investigation. It is inappropriate to comment any further at this stage.”

Wrexham Council Executive Board member, and Chirk Councillor Terry Evans published the above picture yesterday dated Sunday 13th September on twitter and said: “All legal stop notices have been removed, oak trees damaged limbs removed from oak tree, cattle sheds erected and now animals on the Dyke, the access needs securing.”

Today Wrexham Council told us, “Wrexham Council can confirm that they are aware of the situation which is being investigated by CADW with support from North Wales Police”.

Previously Cadw explained, “It is a criminal offence to destroy or damage a scheduled monument without scheduled monument consent. The person commissioning or carrying out the works is responsible for avoiding damage to scheduled monuments. Anyone found guilty of damaging or destroying a scheduled monument can be prosecuted.”

The earthwork, believed to have acted as a border between Wales and England, was constructed by Offa, King of Mercia at the end of the eighth century.

It is listed as a monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979