'Absolute robbery' claim over radical measures for iconic North Wales beach

North Wales Live

17-05-2025

Radical steps are being taken to ease gridlock at one of Wales' most in-demand beaches. Day prices are to more than double and, over the next Bank Holiday weekend, a 300-space beach car park will be locked down once it's full.
The measures are to be put in place by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to curb the traffic congestion that regularly blights Newborough, Anglesey. Vehicles wanting to park by the beach at Traeth Llanddwyn must first pass through the village, which often grinds to a standstill as visitors wait for parking spaces to become available.
From Friday, May 23, prices will rise at the main beach car park and two others within the adjacent Newborough Forest – Airman's and Cwningar
Parking for up to two hours will be £5 and 70p for each additional 20 minutes, with a maximum daily charge of £15. Currently it's £2 for the first two hours, 40p for each additional 20 minutes, with a maximum charge of £7 per day.
Some people have labelled the increases 'extortionate' and 'absolute robbery'. It's feared that people across the Menai Strait will be priced out of visiting the area, a National Nature Reserve.
NRW also plans to trial a lockdown plan at the three car parks. Once they are full, access barriers will come down and no more vehicles will be allowed in until 4.30pm that day – even when spaces become available.
Arriving visitors will be alerted to closures via a matrix sign on the A4080 at Pen Lôn roundabout a half-mile south of the village. The trial will take place on Saturday, Sunday and Monday (May 24-26). Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now
Richard Berry, NRW's land management team leader for northwest Wales, said: 'The new pricing structure reflects that of other beach car parks on Anglesey to bring the site in line with other areas.
'The trial will stop vehicles accessing the site once the car park becomes full – this is generally from 11am or sooner during Bank Holidays, weekends and periods of good weather.
'Even as cars leave the site and spaces become available no vehicular access will be allowed until after 4.30pm.
'We hope this approach will safeguard the site's precious wildlife, improve the visitor experience and reduce congestion in the village where motorists currently wait for a parking space on the site to become available.
'We are therefore asking visitors to consider visiting at quieter times or to try one of the many other beaches and destinations on Anglesey.'
Free parking for Blue Badge holders will remain unchanged. Residents of Newborough, Dwyran, Llangaffo and Malltraeth will also get free parking if they apply for an annual pass.
Other Anglesey residents can by a season ticket – this also stays at the same price of £35. A £70 annual pass for non-Anglesey visitors also remains unchanged.
'Absolutely ridiculous'
Earlier this month, Newborough residents staged a 'slow walk' to blockade the sole access road to the beach car park. More were planned over the next Bank Holiday weekend.
While villagers are pleased action is finally being taken, concerns have been expressed elsewhere about the new measures. They prompted a heated debate on social media.
A Gwynedd woman told NRW: 'I'm glad you'll be discouraging people from going but, honestly, everyone will rush to get there before 11am! Also, what about out of season (pricing)? Talk about cashing in!
'I'm glad to see people power worked but seriously, it'll be at least £8.50 to go for a walk there now, and £15 a day is absolute robbery. There are local people from Bangor area who deserve to have access to our local beaches without being priced out!'
One man backed the price rises, saying they will bring them into line with other UK beaches. One comparable destination is Holkham Beach in Norfolk, which charges £13.50-a-day. However east England incomes are typically higher than North Wales, and the visitors more affluent.
Referring to Llanddwyn's charges, another person said: 'That pricing is only comparable to the Pen y Pass rip-off.' Two years ago, prices at the Pen y Pass car park for Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), were hiked to £20 for up to eight hours – and £40 for more than 12 hours.
Steep parking prices have prompted fears of more illegal parking on nearby roads and even on residential streets in Newborough. Other just worry they will no longer be able to afford to visit one of their favourite places.
One Llanddwyn regular said online: 'Am I correct that pricing will be more than doubled? When we go for a walk in the evenings it costs us a couple of pounds but with the new pricing it will cost us £5! Surely that's not right?'
In defence of the measures, a woman said: 'To be fair, £5 for 2 hours with say five people in the car is 50p each and you can enjoy the great outdoors with beautiful walks and toilet facilities at the main car park. It's £4 for a mocha latte at Starbucks if not more, try and park for £5 in a city car park."
Another claimed it was actually cheaper to park in the centre of Manchester, calling the move 'absolutely ridiculous'. One woman was left fuming, saying local people who walk there for their mental and physical health will now be priced out.
She added: 'It's impossible to go there during the summer months, unless you go in the evening and I'm certainly not paying £5 to go at that time! Shame on NRW.' Get the best island stories from our Anglesey newsletter - sent every Friday
As it happens, traffic restrictions will be in place today (Saturday, May 17) due to a funeral taking place in Newborough village. Church Road access to the beach and forest will be stopped from 10.30am.
To avoid disrupting the funeral procession, the car park barriers will be closed, meaning vehicles will not be able to leave the site between 10.30am and 12.30pm.