A TAXI driver from Gwynedd who moved safety barriers to clear his path over a structurally damaged bridge to avoid travelling via the detour has been fined and ordered to pay costs.

55-year-old David Gwynedd Morris, of Nantlle Road, Talysarn appeared before Caernarfon Court yesterday (Monday) after being summonsed for interfering with traffic equipment contrary to Section 22A of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

The Grade 2 listed Pont Bodfel (Bodfel Bridge), situated on the A497 in Boduan, Gwynedd was cordoned off back in January due to structural damage.

Morris was filmed by one of his passengers moving the safety barriers and lifting a traffic cone to the side of the A487.

The footage was posted onto social media and North Wales Police were informed.

Police enquiries began and Morris was identified as being the taxi driver.

At Caernarfon Court David Gwynedd Morris was fined £250, ordered to pay £775 CPS costs and pay a £30 victim surcharge.

Sergeant Meurig Jones of the Roads Policing Unit said: “This was a costly mistake by Morris, who risked lives by moving the barriers and cone that were placed there for safety reasons.

“This was completely unacceptable, senseless and shocking behaviour from a so-called professional driver. This was a dangerously damaged section of road yet he opened himself, his passengers and other innocent motorists to danger.

“We’d like to thank the passenger who filmed the whole incident and then placed it onto social media, despite not willing to provide a statement this was a successful prosecution.

"I hope that the sentence will send a message to anybody who is caught doing something similar that they will be brought to justice.”

A Gwynedd Council spokesperson said: “As the local licensing authority, we are considering the court’s verdict in the context of taxing licensing issues.”