Police have blocked off the Esplanade to cars due to the number of people travelling to the site this afternoon.

A police car and officer were present at the junction of Beach Road and Bridgeman Road directing drivers up the hill, and cones were placed along the road.

The block was put in place at roughly 2pm, a police officer told Nub News and when asked how long it would last said "we're going to have to play it by ear".

"People can't be driving somewhere to exercise," said the police officer.

"When we came down earlier, there were a number of cars at the top and there were groups of people.

"We had to make the decision to close the road to try and maintain the groups and gatherings to a minimum.

"We're urging people to follow the guidelines and regulations."

Pedestrians are still able to walk along the Esplanade and businesses were open offering takeaway food and drink.

A police car was also seen parked at Cliff Parade and Cliff Hill junction, but it had moved roughly 30 minutes later.

Caprice Wilson, who works at Casa de Margarita, said: "There were quite a few cars but everyone was socially distanced.

"When they closed off the road everyone just went home," she said.

"It seemed like the same amount of people out as other weekends in lockdown."

Darren Lane, who works at The Baileys, said: "It's the first time they've shut the road off since March last year.

"The rules written on that sign over there are council rules that have been enforced since 2016.

"They don't want too many people down here, and of course it's gotten quieter since they blocked the road off.

"This time on a Sunday night anywhere your trade goes anyway, especially in the wintertime."

On Friday it was announced that Vale of Glamorgan Council officers would join South Wales Police to monitor activity at the Esplanade, after reports that level four Covid restrictions were being broken.