PARKING AND TRANSPORT REVIEW FOR YR WYDDFA AND OGWEN UPDATE – 13/10/20

Partneriaeth Yr Wyddfa begins early discussions 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.

Since January this year, a consultancy team appointed by Partneriaeth Yr Wyddfa have been analysing in depth 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:

Step 1: 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.

Step 2: Detailed consultation across all sectors within the study area, including workshops. Completed in May 2020.

Step 3: 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.

Step 4: Present review to National Park Authority Members Working Group outlining recommendations and potential implementation strategies for feedback. Completed in September 2020.

Step 5: Partneriaeth Yr Wyddfa to consider findings of the report and next steps. Completed in September 2020.

Step 6: Present an update to the North Wales Executive Officers Group (Business) of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board. Completed in September 2020.

Step 7: Present an update to the North Wales Regional Tourism Forum. Completed in October 2020.

Step 8: Present an update to the Conwy County Borough Council’s Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Next steps:

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

• Community consultation and master planning workshops ensuring that all areas express their views and have the opportunity to shape the final outcomes. Due Autumn 2020.

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.

Yr Wyddfa visit Specialist

The first training day of a new Ambassador scheme took place in Plas Tan y Bwlch on the morning of the 13th of February, with 19 local businesses accredited as Visiting Yr Wyddfa Specialists.

The training session was the beginning of a new working relationship between the Yr Wyddfa Partnership and the tourism industry as a way to secure consistent and correct messages are shared with visitors to the area. Among the attendees were B&Bs and restaurant owners, together with experienced mountain leaders.

After a paned of Poblado Coffee kindly donated by the company who roasts their coffee a stone’s throw away from Yr Wyddfa, the event was opened by Snowdonia National Park Authority’s Chief Executive, Emyr Williams, who welcomed all and explained that the training is part of a new and exciting scheme being developed by Local Authorities across north Wales and the National Park.

The training session was organised by the Yr Wyddfa Partnership where business owners had the freedom to roam from one table to the next interacting with the experts and sharing their knowledge on visiting Yr Wyddfa. The information tables included: how to arrive, habitats and farms of the mountain, six ways to summit, local names and stories and Yr Wyddfa’s seasons.

The event was closed by the Chair of the Yr Wyddfa Partnership and Director of Snowdonia Society, John Harold. John rightly described the event as planting information seeds which will grow across Eryri as the scheme develops.

The Yr Wyddfa Partnership wish to thank everyone who attended for giving their time and for their encouragement and support to this new scheme. We received constructive feedback and ideas for future training events which will be taken into consideration.

The New Specialists

Catrin E Roberts

Dewi Emlyn – Accommodation/Guide

Belinda Gammon – Wellbeing/Guide

James Young – Outdoors

Stuart Bratton – Accommodation/Outdoors

Keith Hulse – Guide

Anelu Aim Higher – Bilingual Guide

Exploring Snowdonia Eryri – Guide

Alwen Evans – Accommodation

Claire Walters – Accommodation

Jess Ward – Outdoors

Jenny Dart – Outdoors

If you’re interested in becoming an Yr Wyddfa Visit Specialist or would like more information about the scheme, subscribe to our newsletter or contact the Yr Wyddfa Partnership Officer, Catrin Glyn – – [email protected].

APPOINTMENT OF MARTIN HIGGITT ASSOCIATES

PARKING AND TRANSPORT REVIEW FOR YR WYDDFA AND OGWEN

The Yr Wyddfa Partnership launched a management plan in 2018 for Yr Wyddfa and the surrounding area. The Partnership consists of a cross section of organisations, businesses and community groups who are committed to looking after the future of the mountain. Partners include local authorities, farmers’ unions, local access forum and local representatives from the tourism industry. Following a public consultation which placed the issues of parking and transport at the top of the agenda, the Partnership agreed on a vision for the future of the area and the steps needed to take to address challenges, to ensure that vision becomes a reality.

The Yr Wyddfa Partnership wish not only to offer a world class visitor experience that excels all expectations, but offer integrated parking and transport services working alongside the long term needs of the environment, our communities and our local heritage.

Following a tendering process, Martin Higgitt Associates have been appointed to carry out a review into parking and transport in the Yr Wyddfa and Ogwen areas on behalf of the Yr Wyddfa Partnership.

The Partnership received a number of strong applications, however Martin Higgitt Associates excelled with their future focused approach and methodology, especially with full consideration to sustainable public transport, outlining an ambitious but achievable long-term vision. The team consists of national experts with nationwide experience in leading on sustainable transport projects, with one of the team joining from Austria with experience in leading projects promoting sustainable tourism with environmentally-friendly mobility in 23 alpine communities.

Catrin Glyn, the Yr Wyddfa Partnership Officer said “it’s extremely exciting to be working in conjunction with an international company with such vast expertise in the field. We’re confident that the company will offer innovative approaches, and will be forming more sustainable solutions that will not only improve local people and visitors’ experience, but will contribute towards protecting what makes Yr Wyddfa so exceptional.”

The Partnership is therefore delighted to announce details of this appointment and that the work has started. An inception meeting was held between Martin Higgitt Associates and the Yr Wyddfa Partnership at Plas Tan y Bwlch on the 9th of January. In the next few months as part of the work Martin Higgitt Associates will complete the stages listed below before submitting the final report before the summer:

• Stage 1 – The purposes of Stage 1 are for Martin Higgitt Associates to familiarise with locations and partners, and the strategic longer-term vision. This involves: meetings and site visit, policy review, data analysis and a review of other related successful initiatives.

• Stage 2 – Engagement with the public involving an online questionnaire, workshops and one on one consultations with partners and stakeholders. This will be an opportunity for the public to have a say on the issues and to discuss ideas.

• Stage 3 – Martin Higgitt Associates will hold a partnership workshop to present the draft objectives, developed from the public engagement.

• Stage 4 – Following submission of the draft final report, Martin Higgitt Associates will present and discuss with the Partnership before making any corrections and additions to the report before submitting a final draft.

The views and aspirations of local communities and users are integral to the development of any proposals and more information will be shared about the consultation and process in the Yr Wyddfa Partnership newsletter. For more info on how to subscribe – click here.

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