‘STUPID AND SELFISH’ DRIVERS BLOCK 999 ACCESS TO SNOWDON
TWO inconsiderate drivers have been criticised for blocking one of the most popular paths to the summit of Snowdon.
A large white van and a red estate car were seen by mountaineers in the Pen-yPass car park near Llanberis on Sunday morning.
While walkers could make their way around the two vehicles to begin their four-mile trek along the Miners Track to the summit, the gate could not have been accessed by emergency vehicles because the gap was too narrow.
Yellow ‘keep clear’ road markings – identical to markings used at a box junction – have been painted close to the entrance of the track to protect access.
However, at least one of the vehicles can be seen to have parked on those markings.
The track is wide enough for use by 4x4 vehicles and is often used by mountain rescue teams.
Jonathan Al-Qazzaz, general manager at the nearby youth hostel, posted this picture on social media with the phrase “Hope no-one needs a 4x4 evacuation today!”
His post attracted immediate criticism of the drivers.
The offending drivers were branded “idiots” by mountain guide Jason Rawles and “stupid and selfish” by another.
The vehicles were later seen to have been moved.
The car park, operated by the Snowdonia National Park Authority, can accommodate fewer than 100 vehicles and is invariably full by 7am on weekends throughout the year.
More parking is available on the main road between Capel Curig and Beddgelert and a footpath has been created between Pen-y-Gwryd and Pen-y-Pass for walkers to use.
Additional car parking has been provided by the authority in Nant Peris and a regular bus service operates between the village and Pen-y-Pass.