Campaigners count 1,700 Glenfinnan visitors in two hours
Glenfinnan residents have stepped up their campaign for a new car park to deal with the reported 300,000 visitors who descend on the village each year.
Volunteers, frustrated by the lack of action in sorting out traffic chaos in the tourist season, took a ‘snapshot’ of traffic in Glenfinnan on Tuesday July 10 between 10.30am and 12.30pm.
The volunteers were placed at key village sites counting cars, chatting to visitors and taking pictures and videos. Between the various locations, the volunteers counted 1,700 visitors, 245 parked cars, 27 parked campervans, eight mini buses and countless near misses in the two hours.
Plans to find a solution to the parking problems are under way. Glenfinnan Estate has secured land between the National Trust museum and the River Finnan – used for games parking – and are willing to lease it to create car parking for up to 130 vehicles. A path across the river to the viaduct is also planned. To make this happen, Glenfinnan Community Council is applying to the Rural Infrastructure Fund and need to gather evidence in support of an application.
The community council said: ‘Thank you so much to everyone who turned out today to support the ‘Snapshot Day’, gathering evidence in support of a new car park. It all adds weight to the cause so many thanks for your time and effort.’