Tow trucks tackle Eryri car parking problems
EFFORTS to curb parking problems in Eryri’s tourism hotspots appear to be bearing fruit, the national park has said.
Over the recent bank holiday weekend, the number of vehicles towed away fell by almost 75%.
Blue skies and sunshine brought large numbers of visitors into Eryri to enjoy the region’s landscapes and attractions. While some still chose to ignore parking restrictions, there was none of the chaos that blighted roads over Easter.
This time, North Wales Police called in nine tow trucks to deal with vehicles parked illegally and causing an obstruction on the A5 in the Ogwen Valley. Local vehicle recovery firms say they would much prefer dealing with breakdowns than having resources redirected to illicit parking.
Over the weekend, around 10 vehicles were towed from the A5. At Easter, the road was shut for several hours as police grappled with badly parked cars. On Good Friday alone, 29 cars were removed from the Llyn Ogwen area and nine from Pen y Pass on Yr Wyddfa..
Eryri National Park Authority (NPA) said its messaging appears to be getting through. It said “only a small minority of visitors” are now not following parking and transport guidelines. In the run-up to last weekend, authorities warned of another crackdown to curb the “unacceptable” actions of a “selfish minority”.
A spokesperson said: “Through a collective effort with our partner organisations, our messaging on parking and transport in the Ogwen and Pen y Pass areas are increasingly being understood. We are very grateful for everyone’s cooperation in this regard. The surge in popularity of the
National Park brings challenges to the delicate balance of the environment and local communities. To ensure the preservation of this remarkable area, it is crucial that visitors adopt sustainable practices and adhere to the guidance provided, especially during peak times as we head into the busy summer months.”
For visitors fined for illegal parking, or who faced paying for the release of their vehicles, last weekend’s improved figures will be scant consolation. Some believe work remains to be done to improve information and signage so as not to compromise local tourism while keeping roads open for local users.
New “car-free” guides to Eryri were published last week in an attempt to encourage sustainable tourism. These offer information on how to get to Eryri without a car, best car-free walks in the area and picking routes of Yr Wyddfa that have good public transport links. During peak periods, visitors who do come by car are encouraged to use park-and-ride facilities or dedicated parking areas. A Sherpa bus service runs regularly and connects popular routes up Yr Wyddfa. Community electric buses also offer services in the area. Spaces at Pen y Pass car park must be pre-booked.