Parking warning as motorists flock to Beacons
THESE were the scenes at the Storey Arms on Saturday – despite a police warning the previous day about parking rules.
On Friday, Dyfed-Powys Police said roads policing officers would be patrolling the area, near Pen y Fan in the Brecon Beacons, to enforce parking rules around the A470.
The warning came after families had flooded into the area the previous weekend to make the most of the snowfall. That ended in police having to tow two cars away for parking in a bus stop and issuing parking tickets to four vehicles for causing an obstruction.
But the crisp winter temperatures and January sunshine saw a new influx of visitors and cars could be seen lining a stretch of the A470.
On Friday Dyfed-Powys Police issued a warning to motorists, saying they expected a flurry of visitors over the weekend to the area due to another Fan Dance event, despite there being no snow forecast. They urged anyone planning a trip to the beauty spot to consider finding alternative parking and routes to Pen y Fan.
Sergeant Owen Dillon said: “There are a number of alternative places to park your vehicles if visiting the Brecon Beacons, which still have good routes to Pen y Fan. I would urge anyone planning on visiting to consider parking at locations including Cwm Gwdi, the Neuadd Valley or Craig Cerrig Gleisiad Nature Reserve.
“We will be continuing with police patrols of the Storey Arms area this weekend and will take action where it is required.
“Our priority is ensuring there are no obstructions on the A470 and that people observe the clearway and do not park on the road.”
Last January more than 100 cars were issued parking tickets at the same spot over one snowy weekend.
Due to the popularity of the walking routes, the National Trust has submitted a planning application for the improvement and extension of “limited” parking facilities at Pont ar Daf. If approved, the proposals would see car-parking charges brought in at Pont ar Daf car park and the number of spaces increased from 50 to 263.