Welsh Government issues new order to deal with problem plaguing Eryri beauty spot
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info
Welsh Government has taken action over a problem caused by visitors to an Eryri beauty spot. Llyn Ogwen is one of the honeypot sites of North Wales - a key starting point for some of the finest walks and scrambles in Eryri National Park.
But this creates problems in the area due to the sheer number of visitors arriving by car and the limited parking options due to the topography of the area.
This has seen people parking at the roadside - often on both sides of the A5 near the lake - causing issues for passing traffic and pedestrians.
Two years ago a road order was introduced. The Prohibition of Waiting Order banned parking on the roadside - with yellow lines added on both sides of the road around parts of the A5 at Llyn Ogwen. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
There have also been major efforts to get more people utilising park and ride services using the Sherpa buses.
But the problem has continued and the parking ban is now set to be extended to a wider area as the government says 'dangerous and inconsiderate parking has become an increasing concern'.
A new order is being introduced after consultation with North Wales Police. This will see the parking ban extended further along the A5 in the direction of Capel Curig.
The Government said: "The proposed Order is required to prevent indiscriminate parking on a length of the A5 trunk road at Llyn Ogwen, Conwy County Borough.
"The main purpose of the Order is to modify the extents of the current parking restrictions at this location.
"Dangerous and inconsiderate parking has become an increasing concern at this location. It is obstructing the movement of vehicles along the trunk road and is also forcing pedestrians onto the live carriageway in certain places.
"Making this Order will further address these issues and provide a safer route for vehicles and pedestrians. The current parking restrictions are imposed by virtue of the A5 Trunk Road (Llyn Ogwen, Conwy County Borough) (Prohibition of Waiting) Order 2023 (S.I.2023/337 (W. 48)).
"That Order will be revoked by the proposed Order."
The order will give parking enforcement teams extra powers. A double yellow line parking fine is usually £70. There is leeway for dropping people off or unloading and loading goods. Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
an hour ago
- Wales Online
The hidden paradise waterfalls made famous on Instagram where two people died
The hidden paradise waterfalls made famous on Instagram where two people died The attraction is a magnet for tourists and locals alike, with waters that are always crystal clear and a series of tumbling water, but this week it was the site of tragedy, underlining the difficulties around the high number of visitors to the area TikTokers increasingly refer to the cascades as the 'fairy pools' (Image: Ian Lilley ) In the summer, the mountain waters of Yr Wyddfa often appear enticing, even to those not undertaking a tough climb. The aqua blue waters and cascading waterfalls create an illusion of being somewhere far more exotic. Located just a brief walk from the A498, the Watkin Pools are a dream for Instagrammers seeking wild swimming photos without much effort. Until this week, their popularity was assumed and their use unchallenged. However, on Wednesday evening, tragedy struck when two women lost their lives in the pools. One woman was retrieved from the water, while the other was later rescued by emergency teams but sadly passed away despite resuscitation attempts. A police investigation is currently underway into the incident that has left Britain in shock and sorrow. You can read our report on the tragic event here. Mountain activities inherently carry some risk: on average, eight people lose their lives each year on Yr Wyddfa due to falls, trips and health conditions. However, fatalities involving the mountain's lakes, streams and pools are rare, reports North Wales Live. While the cause of this week's tragedy remains unconfirmed, it's important to remember that wild swimming – or even a quick dip – carries risks, particularly in icy mountain waters where rocks can be slippery and sharp. In light of this, the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) UK has issued a special warning to Welsh residents and visitors to remain vigilant around water this summer. Article continues below New statistics have revealed that in 2024, the drowning rate in Wales was twice the UK national average. The year saw 18 accidental drownings, with an additional 19 water-related deaths still awaiting official cause determination. Interim charity director at RLSS UK, Matt Croxall, said: "The high drowning rate reported in Wales emphasises just how important it is that families are aware of the importance of water safety and have the correct knowledge to be safe around water." The river's iconic slab bridge balances delicately on boulders having endured the worst of Eryri's winter storms (Image: Ian Lilley ) Following the Covid pandemic, the Watkin Pools near Yr Wyddfa experienced a surge in popularity. A comparison of parking figures from 2021 indicated a significant 64% increase at Pont Bethania car park in Nant Gwynant, relative to the pre-pandemic year of 2019. While some visitors were hikers tackling the challenging Watkin Path to the summit, Eryri National Park officials attribute much of the rise to "trending social media posts" showcasing the picturesque Watkin Pools. At that time, a travel website hailed it as "one of the most beautiful spots in the whole of Snowdonia and maybe therefore in the whole of the UK." Since then, the praise for this location has only intensified. Guides tout the pools as a "perfect cool-down" for hikers ascending the mountain. Yet in practice many take the plunge more for the sake of soaking up the ambiance and capturing crucial snapshots than for the hike itself, then promptly retracing their steps downhill. It's considered amongst the top UK spots for inducing "Insta envy." The Watkin cascades were recently dubbed the UK's second prime "hidden waterfalls". Despite their prevalence on social media hinting they aren't quite so concealed, their popularity is understandable. Even on overcast days when they're not shimmering aqua blue, the waters retain their crystal clarity. At certain cascade points, visitors fancy themselves in "infinity pools", gazing from atop craggy ledges down to the splendid Nant Gwynant valley. Suspended from an overhead branch by a tree-lined pool, a makeshift rope swing invites adventure. Amongst two trees sits a flat rock functioning as an impromptu slide. Countless videos have been shared on TikTok, with the cascades increasingly referred to as "Snowdon's fairy pools". A traveller commented: "5-star turquoise waters – the kind of place that makes you feel like its summer on the darkest day. Crystal clear, ice cold, delicious. Children adore it." Lately, finding solitude at these pools has proven more of a challenge. Seasoned visitors suggest getting there early to dodge the throngs, as the falls become crowded post-noon. Especially on sun-filled days, it's not unusual for guests to find themselves sharing their slice of "paradise" with fellow revellers. Article continues below However, you don't need to take a dip to appreciate the waterfalls and their iconic slab bridge. Picnics in this area have grown increasingly popular, leading to noticeable wear on the surrounding ground. Over 600,000 people annually flock to Yr Wyddfa, though this week's double tragedy starkly demonstrates the risks such visits pose.
Reuters
2 hours ago
- Reuters
UK warns British travellers to Israel: Situation could escalate quickly
LONDON, June 13 (Reuters) - Britain on Friday updated its travel guidance to Israel, saying the situation could escalate quickly following Israeli strikes against nuclear and military facilities in Iran. "The situation could escalate quickly and could pose significant risks, including missile fire," an update, opens new tab on the government's website said. The same warning was added to its advice for the occupied Palestinian territories. Britain also re-issued its travel advice for other countries including Iran, Iraq, Saudia Arabia, Egypt and Syria to include a warning on the risk of wider escalation.
South Wales Guardian
2 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
100,000 electric vehicle charging points to be installed with £381m funding
The cash aims to help the uptake of electric cars among motorists who do not have their own driveways and charging points. The new charging points come on top of 80,000 already installed publicly across the UK, and tens of thousand more installed privately. Transport minister Lilian Greenwood said: 'This Government is powering up the EV revolution by rolling out a charge point every 29 minutes, and our support to roll out over 100,000 local charge points in England shows we're committed to making even more progress. 'We're delivering our Plan for Change by investing over £4 billion to support drivers to make the switch, while backing British car makers through international trade deals – creating jobs, boosting investment and securing our future.' The money comes from the Government's Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure fund, which helps councils to instal new EV charging points. Meanwhile, in a sign of growing market confidence in EVs, London-based firm Believ has secured £300 million to roll out charging points across the UK.
