Proposal for private car parks to address Eryri’s traffic congestion

The suggestion of landowners making their private parking areas available to visitors at Wales’ largest national park has been put forward as a potential remedy for the region’s traffic issues. Parking difficulties are a frequent occurrence at popular sites in Eryri, also known as Snowdonia, with some individuals previously having their vehicles towed away. While the national park has increased its bus services in an effort to ease the problem, local councillor John Pughe Roberts is advocating for further action, proposing a temporary scheme that would allow landowners to open private car parks. Mr. Roberts characterized the idea as “a win win for everybody,” but the national park authority indicated that it does not align with current planning policies and would necessitate national consideration. Mr. Roberts, who is also a farmer, stated that the parking disorder creates significant negativity and that his solution would benefit both visitors and local residents. He remarked, “Every year, we have problems with parking, and we have even seen some people having their cars taken away.” He added, “I don’t think it’s a good look for the national ark really.” He further questioned, “Why not ask farmers in the hot spots to allow cars to park in their fields?” Mr. Roberts proposed a provisional, five-year plan, which would permit landowners to charge a fee to visitors wishing to park on their property. He suggested that the revenue generated be shared between the landowner and the park, to be allocated for local path maintenance, specifically targeting the areas most affected by the problem. He mentioned that the plan could also encourage people to utilize local facilities, such as cafes, instead of rushing back to their vehicles. Mr. Roberts stated, “We can welcome people. People would rather pay £10 to know their cars are safe.” He concluded, “It would be a win win for everybody, and would provide money for the rural economy.” Parking challenges have long been a concern for the park authority, with complaints about emergency vehicles being obstructed due to people parking on the side of the road in certain areas. Although the national park is responsible for numerous parking facilities, the sheer number of visitors often means these locations are not always sufficient. Gwynedd Watkin, the county officer at the Welsh Farmers’ Union in Gwynedd, believes Mr. Roberts’s concept warrants additional discussion, adding: “We have aired this idea for many years, to tell the truth, but we were led to believe that the planning department would not tolerate the requests.” Angela Jones, the head of partnerships at the park authority, expressed willingness to engage in dialogue but noted that broader evaluation would be required. She stated that it would be reviewed as part of the organization’s local development assessment next year, but also clarified that it is a national issue falling under Welsh government planning legislation. Ms. Jones explained that the current local development plan allows individuals to use or establish car parks for up to 28 days each year. She advised visitors to plan their journeys in advance and affirmed that existing measures to alleviate traffic have been successful, citing a 70% increase in users of the Yr Wyddfa bus service over the past three years. The Welsh government commented: “Temporary use of land for car parking is possible in most locations up to 28 days in any year.” It further added, “If the National Park Authority want to consider a five year temporary use this should be done through the planning application process.” Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.