Early discussions begins on proposals for an ambitious and sustainable new approach to parking and transport in northern Snowdonia. The proposals outline how traffic, pollution and noise could be greatly reduced in the inner area during high season, whilst vastly improving the visitor experience.

The proposals put forward in the Parking and Transport Review include:

• Seasonal parking management in the ‘inner area’ with options for pre-booking;

• An all-encompassing visitor access pass that would also encourage use of local business through discounts and offers;

• A new fleet of zero carbon buses.

• Discussing ideas with communities for improved parking in gateway villages;

• Improved car park management and enforcement;

• A complete overhaul of the way information about parking and access is communicated;

• Electric vehicle charging infrastructure;

• Management of on-street parking and residents’ parking in the gateway villages;

• Public transport services, such as the shuttle bus network, interchange with rail and long-distance bus and coach services, broader transport network improvements, and demand responsive transport services from other origins;

• Refining and working with taxi operators;

• Coach parking;

• Highways and traffic management;

• Walking and cycling initiatives;

• Other complementary services to enhance the visitor experience as part of the ethos of promoting sustainable access.

These proposals aim to make the special landscape more accessible to non‐car based visitors and enable people arriving by car to access the area and it’s attractions by alternative means.

A central part of the work will be that communities and businesses help design the way in which the strategy is delivered on the ground. Once the principles of the approach are agreed, planning exercises will be undertaken with residents and businesses in the gateway villages to consider how best to deliver the strategy elements on-the-ground.

During 2020 a consultancy team appointed by Partneriaeth Yr Wyddfa carried out an in depth analysis on the various factors surrounding the parking and transport issues.

The report states that the current over-reliance on cars to access key honeypot sites and the chronic parking problem at busier times of the year is failing the National Park’s core purposes. It also means that local communities and the local economy suffer negative impacts associated with visitor levels, whilst not receiving as much benefits as they could.

From the assessment of background evidence, together with the consultations, there is a clear consensus that ‘doing nothing is not an option’. There is an appetite to position Yr Wyddfa and Ogwen, and Eryri/north Wales more generally, as a sustainable tourism exemplar. According to the review, alternative options will fail to address the chronic problems that Yr Wyddfa and Ogwen experience in the peak holiday season, as well as failing to address the policy direction of the National Park, regional and national policy.

The review recommends developing a Sustainable Tourism Approach which will reduce the environmental impact of visitors on the protected landscape, at the same time as reducing the problems and increasing the benefits of tourism to communities and the local economy, whilst improving the visitor experience and enabling a more diverse range of visitors to enjoy the area. North Wales and Eryri are perfectly positioned to respond to some of the longer-term ‘mega-trends’ in tourism around authenticity, activity and adventure, and eco-tourism. With a foundation in green travel, this would place north Wales firmly on the world stage as a sustainable destination. 

The draft proposals fit fully into the ethos of the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act, particularly with the emphasis on community master-planning, partnership working, encouragement of entrepreneurial skills and job creation for local audiences, whilst strongly promoting and sustaining the Special Qualities of the National Park.

This Sustainable Tourism Approach would transform how the area functions and is perceived as a destination. The approach is underpinned by integration, provision of new services and a re-scaling of existing services. Enabling such progressive delivery requires appropriate governance structures and a re-think of the economic model in which services are provided. A new governance model is recommended which is an opportunity for the area, and Wales in general, to be pioneering.

However, this world leading approach to visitor management will require initial revenue support and a substantial amount of capital investment before becoming sustainable in the long term. Long-term solutions to the infrastructure issues will require a multi-agency approach and strong partnership working to ensure success.

Below is a summary of the steps taken so far and the next steps in the process:

• Understanding the issues through meetings and site visits; a comprehensive policy review; data analysis of visitors, accommodation, all forms of transport and parking facilities in the region; and a review of other related initiatives. Completed in March 2020.

• Detailed consultation across all sectors within the study area, including workshops. Completed in May 2020.

• Refining the report based on the findings of Stages 1 & 2, with full recommendations, suggested implementation plan and case studies for delivery. Completed in August 2020.

• Present review to National Park Authority Members Working Group outlining recommendations and potential implementation strategies for feedback. Completed in September 2020.

• Partneriaeth Yr Wyddfa to consider findings of the report and next steps. Completed in September 2020.

• Present an update to the North Wales Executive Officers Group (Business) of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board. Completed in September 2020.

• Present an update to the North Wales Regional Tourism Forum. Completed in October 2020.

• Present an update to the Conwy County Borough Council’s Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

• High-level facilitated workshop with key players from core organisations to explore the governance and funding implications. Autumn 2020.

• Investment secured from Welsh Government through Transport for Wales towards the initial projects listed below:

  1. Community master planning workshops: Initial masterplanning work with 4 gateway villages and locations. Workshops held in March as part of an ongoing consultation process.

  2. Establish a mid-term, automatic pre-booking system for Pen y Pass. In place.

  3. Public transport management study: Define network and future operation of bus services, including wider linkages to train services – potentially to relevant airports.

  4. Cycle and walking network proposals and cycle hire scheme specified.

  5. Develop a robust and resource-light live monitoring system for traffic on approaches and in carparks.

This review supports the Partnership’s long-term vision for Yr Wyddfa, as well as Snowdonia National Park Authority’s broader purposes and duty of protecting the landscape, promoting understanding and enjoyment of the area, and supporting the economic and social wellbeing of local communities.