'We'll be ready' warning with parking lockdowns to continue at popular North Wales beach
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A parking lockdown trial at a popular Anglesey beach is to be extended through the summer. The measure was first implemented over the Bank Holiday weekend in an attempt to ease congestion in Newborough.
To prevent long traffic queues forming for Traeth Llanddwyn, which often back up into the village, site manager Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has begun closing the large beach car park when full. All beach-bound traffic is then diverted until the car park is reopened later in the day.
Poor weather last weekend meant traffic flows were lower than expected and the beach car park was closed just once. As well as leaving some visitors bewildered, Newborough residents said there were already signs the measure was creating 'unintended consequences'.
With beach parking prices now doubled, up to £15 for a day visit, local people claimed the combined impact was to shift parking away from the beach and onto local roads and residential streets. Despite reduced visitor numbers, Newborough housing estates like Tyn y Cae and Rhoddfa Merrick were reported to be as busy as ever.
Last weekend, Anglesey Council traffic wardens issued three parking tickets, all on the A4080 by Llyn Parc Mawr in Newborough Forest north of the village.
Meanwhile, residents near Llangefni fear redirected traffic is heading to Llyn Cefni instead, causing problems there. Regular day-trippers from Gwynedd have also complained of being "punished" for over-tourism by being priced out of visits to the beach.
In principle, NRW's measures have been welcomed by Newborough's long-suffering residents, who often struggle to leave their homes, or return to them, when the village is gridlocked. Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone
(Image: Llanddwyn & Forest Support Group)
NRW said the parking lockdown trial is due to continue 'until further notice' during busy periods – mainly sunny weekends. It may be fine-turned based on local feedback.
An NRW spokesperson said: 'The trial had been discussed with the local community and stakeholders before being introduced.
"Initial feedback has been positive, and we will repeat the trial before reviewing evidence and speaking to the local community before making a decision on wider implementation.
'We also had staff on site over the weekend who prevented a number of people from camping overnight. We would also like to thank the local residents who were handing out leaflets to motorists when the car park was closed promoting other sites on the island.'
(Image: Steve Fareham/Wiki)
Last weekend's parking measures were earmarked for three days. Due to lower-than-expected holiday traffic, Llanddwyn's beach car was shut down only on Sunday, May 25, with cars allowed back in after 3.30pm.
On the approach to the village at Pen-lôn roundabout, an electronic sign advised motorists the car park was 'full' and to go elsewhere.
By 1.30pm that day, local walkers reported the 300-space car park was 'only half full'. By 3.30pm, they counted just 28 cars. A baffled visitor noticed the same and wondered if some kind of emergency had been declared.
Another, from South Wales, added online: 'At 14:00 there was absolutely no reason for the road to be closed as there were plenty of spaces - literally half empty. There are more intelligent ways to manage car parks and it's only going to move the problem elsewhere.'
(Image: Eryl Crump/North Wales Live)
That's the worry at Llyn Cefni, Anglesey's second largest reservoir with walking trails and a nature reserve. One site guardian fears it could be the next 'over-tourism hellhole' if Llanddwyn's visitors head there instead.
Recreational activities on the lake are banned but site custodians have complained of plastic waste littering and parking on 'dangerous' road sections. 'In other words, a direct transplant from Llanddwyn,' said a local man on social media.
'We'll certainly be ready for any nonsense that develops over the summer. There are plenty of locals 'on patrol' on dog walks at all times of day, so a new Llanddwyn this is very definitely not going to become.
'The authorities are clueless and have no excuse because over-tourism has been extensively written about in the academic press for decades by now.' Get the best island stories from our Anglesey newsletter - sent every Friday
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