Village braced for repeat of tourism, traffic & tailbacks
THE sunflowers pull the crowds in - but there’s also a downside to summer in Rhosilli, Gower.
Put simply, it’s fitting all the visitors in!
The sunflowers have only been there for the past few years - but they’ve already become a much-loved attraction and a permanent date on people’s calendars.
The fields of sunflowers at Rhossili were first planted by the National Trust three years ago, and have attracted thousands of visitors to come and enjoy the golden view with the stunning Worm’s Head backdrop.
And while visitors have also brought plenty of welcome additional custom to local traders, they are accompanied by another issue for the small village at the end of the Gower peninsula.
Last year, cars parked on the sides of the narrow road through the village made it difficult for emergency services trying to access an emergency medical evacuation from the beach below the cliffs.
On that occasion, last June, the National Trust car park which can accommodate 1,500 vehicles was closed due to coronavirus restrictions.
But even with it open later in the summer, at peak times the lure of the sunflowers in one of the most beautiful parts of Gower has meant a huge increase in the amount of traffic winding its way through the narrow roads of the peninsula heading to the village.
At some points, traffic has stretched back to some of the villages on the way to Rhossili and there have been awkward blockages in the village itself with traffic trying to get out being trapped by vehicles coming the other way through one-at-a-time sections of road.
Adding to the issue last year was the continuing difficulties with foreign travel which led to more people holidaying in the UK, and that could well be the same this year with Covid-19 rates still high in many parts of the world.
This year, the sunflowers will be returning once again, and while visitors continue to be welcomed, there is some caution about how, or where, they will leave their vehicles.
A Rhossili Coastguard spokesman said: “Last year, when the car park was closed, there was a big issue with cars being left at the side of the road. It meant there was a risk to emergency vehicles not being able to get through.
“This year the car park will be open which means there will be a lot more space to leave cars. But there can still be an issue with where people leave vehicles.
“It is important to make sure there is access all the way through the village, and that cars are not left next to gates or doors. There have been occasions when there have been tailbacks as far as (neighbouring village 3.5 miles from Rhossili) Scurlage”.
Adrian Short, proprietor of the Worm’s Head Hotel, said: “Usually there is enough parking in the car park, but with the popularity of the sunflowers sometimes there is not enough space. There have been times when the road is blocked all the way back to Scurlage.
“The traffic can be a problem in the village, as it can all around Gower.”
He said it had also been a problem in prelockdown times.
“The year before last, before lockdown, it was so popular there were long tailbacks and signs had to be put up on the approach to let people know. I’d recommend anyone coming down to check first with the National Trust to find out what the situation is.”
Sue Muddeman, owner of Rhossili’s Bay Bistro, added: “The flowers have been fantastic for business as it brings a lot of people down.
“But I live in the village and when there is a lot of traffic it can be a challenge.”
One Rhossili resident, who did not want to be named, added: “Obviously, over the last year the number of people coming down has been different from what we would normally get. We do get ordinary days, but there are times when the traffic stretches way back.
“When the sunflowers were out and we had large numbers coming to visit them there was a problem with traffic through the village. If there is an accident and there are cars parked along the sides of the road it does pose a problem for emergency services, and it could be a matter of life or death.”
When the National Trust car park closed last summer, when lockdown travel restrictions were in place, people continued to visit Rhossili.
It re-opened at the beginning of July, and stayed open throughout autumn and winter, until all National Trust locations in Wales closed in line with fresh Welsh Government legislation later in the year, urging people not to travel unnecessarily.
When open and the car park is full, people are encouraged through roadside signs and social media to return another time to help keep the area safe for everyone.
Community councillor Steve Walmsley added: “When the sunflowers are in full swing it can be very busy.
“They have increased the number of people who come down to Rhossili.
“We do not want people not to come down to Rhossili, but it is just a case of being responsible.
“It is difficult to gauge how it will be this year because we are in strange times. But I think traffic is an issue in Gower.”