Expensive stone is being stolen (From Barry And District News)

Expensive stone is being stolen

A FORMER Rhoose policeman has hit out at thieves who are stealing capping stones from a local landmark.

Don Rowlands, of Fontygary Road, said slabs of granite that crown the top of the drystone wall surrounding Cardiff International Airport have been disappearing over the last year.

He is now worried the wall is unsafe and dangerous.

Mr Rowlands told the News: "I had noticed the deterioration of the wall for some time, but felt I had to act after I read a report last week in the Barry and District News' sister paper, the Penarth Times, about paving slabs being stolen.

"Although I haven't actually seen people stealing the stones, they are definitely being taken away from the site, and it won't be long before the wall comes crashing down. It could be a real danger."

According to Don's recollection, the wall was built approximately 10 years ago as part of the redevelopment of the road running past the airport.

He said: "The whole structure is being taken apart for these stones, which I think could be a particular type of granite, mined from a quarry in Pontypridd.

"If they are, they are very expensive. They are also very heavy and difficult to move, so whoever has been removing them must be taking only a few at time."

But there is some confusion over the ownership of the wall.

A Vale of Glamorgan Council spokesman said: "We have made some preliminary investigations into who is responsible for the up-keep of the wall.

"At the moment, it does not appear to be the council's property, but we will continue to look into it."

Sales and marketing manager for Cardiff International Airport, Vincent Rey, added: "This matter has now been brought to our attention. At this point, we are not certain with whom the responsibility lies, but we are looking into it."