Mountain sky on Herefordshire border to be protected from lighting (From Hereford Times)

Mountain sky on Herefordshire border to be protected from lighting

7:00am Friday 8th March 2013 in News

Moves will be made to protect the quality of the night sky above Llanthony Priory in the Black Mountains. Photo; Michael Sinclair

THE Black Mountains are loved by walkers and cyclists who take to the hills to admire the views throughout the day.

But now the region has been recognised for the unusual clarity on offer for those fond of clear nocturnal skies.

The Brecon Beacons National Park, which includes the Black Mountains running along Herefordshire’s Welsh border, has this week become just the fifth Dark Sky Reserve in the world.

The award celebrates the area’s star-filled skies and will restrict future levels of light pollution so generations to come will be able to see the area in the same darkness through which beacons would have shone hundreds of years ago.

The National Park follows Devon’s Exmoor as the second British recipient of prestigious Dark Sky Reserve status.

Julie James, chairman of Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, said attaining the status is a massive boost for the entire area.

“There are numerous environmental, wildlife, economic, tourism and wellbeing benefits attached to this wonderful accolade, and this will safeguard the magical dark skies above the national park for future generations,” she added.