Newborough: Anger at traffic gridlock at House of Dragon beach
People living close to a popular north Wales beach made famous by hit TV series House of the Dragons say their lives are in "lockdown" due to traffic problems.Llanddwyn beach, also known as Newborough, and nature reserve on Anglesey have long attracted visitors for their natural beauty.But problems around congestion have worsened since the beach found fame as a film location.Now villagers are threatening to protest unless something is done to alleviate the issue that leaves some "afraid" to leave their homes.Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and Anglesey council said they are trying to find a long-term solution to the problem.
More than 40 people attended a public meeting on Thursday night to discuss traffic problems.Resident Geraint Thomas said matters had worsened in the past five years."Because film crews from all over the world have been here, Llanddwyn is a very popular place," he said."It's a lockdown, nobody can pass. Four roads to Llanddwyn all come together in Newborough and it's [causing] road rage and people are starting to argue. It'll get messy in the end."When an ambulance or fire service want to come down they have no chance. "It has gone on for years but nothing has been done and the people of Newborough are starting to lose patience. Maybe a protest is needed to get the authorities to respond."Newborough resident Heather Savage said the situation was "terrible"."You can't move, you get anywhere because the road just clogs up. Nothing works, my world isn't working," she said."Every year it gets worse and every year they say they're going to do something at this time of year and nothing happens."
Councillor John Ifan Jones said the objections were not aimed at tourists."We are not protesting against tourism in the area. We are protesting because we don't have the infrastructure in place to deal with the flow of traffic," he said."We've been living with a traffic control system that we've had for five years, since Covid and NRW says that's a temporary system."It's important that people can go to work in the morning, go to the shop and they shouldn't have to plan their life around a complete traffic jam in the village."
NRW said it understood the "frustrations" felt by the community, similar to those felt at other popular visitor locations, when car parks quickly become full.It said the issues at Newborough were "complicated" but has introduced an enhanced traffic management system and were deploying additional staff during peak times.This year, NRW will also trial the use of electronic messaging signs to alert motorists of car park closures further from the village as well as satellite car parking and consider the viability of a park-and-ride system.A spokesperson added: "The traffic management and access situation at Newborough is very complicated and there is no one solution to solve it."Those visiting are being advised of the potential for traffic congestion, to respect the local community and environment and to prepare for the car park to be full at busy times."We are asking people to think about planning their visit at different times or to consider one of the many other fantastic beaches and destinations on Anglesey.Anglesey council said it was "committed" to helping find a long-term solution but also admitted there was no easy solution.Head of Highways Huw Percy added: "The council recognises that Llanddwyn and the Newborough Forest has become an extremely popular destination and is aware of the negative effects this has on the local community."We will continue to work to find proactive steps that will reduce the local impact and a sustainable solution but, unfortunately, there is no easy solution and this will take time."
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North Wales Live
2 days ago
- North Wales Live
Sea rises around car on Welsh beach as onlookers search frantically for rope
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It said visitors were "responsible for their own safety", including those of children and pets. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox In May, a report by the Senedd's Climate Change, Environment and Infrastructure Committee told NRW to come up with a 'credible plan' for the now-closed visitor centres within three months. By shutting their doors, NRW was responsible for an 'abandonment of public trust', according to committee chair Llyr Gruffydd. In a subsequent meeting with NRW, Ynyslas campaigners were told there are no commercial plans to reopen the Ynyslas visitor centre. Instead, a 'community use' solution is being sought - unlike Coed-y-Brenin and Bwlch Nant yr Arian, where commercial operators are preferred. NRW has reiterated to North Wales Live that this remains its position. As Ynyslas visitor centre forms part of the Dyfi National Nature Reserve, it has specific statutory provisions. 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Wales Online
3 days ago
- Wales Online
The six locations in North Wales rumoured for House of the Dragon filming
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 Six film location sites in northwest Wales are said to have been earmarked for season three of HBO's House of The Dragon (HoTD). Some were used in summer 2023, others are new. Three large sets are already taking shape at Dinorwig Quarry near Llanberis, which in season two served as an HoTD backdrop for Harrenhal Castle, the largest fortification in Westeros. Props assembled so far suggest the aftermath of a visit by a fire-breathing dragon to the Harrenhal battle camp in the Riverlands. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has hinted of more filming at Traeth Llanddwyn and Newborough Forest in southwest Anglesey, where some trees are being felled. According to a source close to the production team, film crews will also be returning to Penmon in south west Anglesey. Other locations are in Eryri (Snowdonia), including Cwm Idwal and its iconic lake in the Ogwen Valley, Gwynedd. Two sites near Capel Curig, Conwy, have also been scouted. A seventh site, in Nant Peris at the foot of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), will reportedly be used as the production team's base. Northwest Wales was one of the main stars of season two, when eight locations were used. Half of these were on Anglesey, including Beaumaris and Porth-y-Cŵch. Llanddwyn Beach, near Newborough village, saw a good deal of filming and is said to have provided the backdrop for parts of Dragonstone. In a social media post NRW said an un-named TV production company was back on site this week. They were undertaking 'small scale preparation works' at the Twyni Penrhos area of Newborough Forest. This involved removing a 'small number of unsafe trees', along with rough vegetation and tree stumps. Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone (Image: Paula Hanks-Jones) NRW said: 'All work will be undertaken under close supervision of ecologists. The area will be restored to dune grassland and native scrub which will benefit wildlife and the local environment and provide accommodation space for filming equipment. "There will be no disruption to visitors.' At present it's unclear if HoTD will be returning to Trefor Quarry on the Gwynedd coast, which was transformed into Dragonstone Castle for season two. Other sites featured in the second series included the Ogwen Valley and around Penmachno Roman Bridge, near Betws-y-Coed. (Image: HBO) A source claimed the Nant Peris site above Llanberis will be the gathering point for actors and extras. 'A large marquee is to be erected and the actors will be ferried to the various sites in minibuses and 4x4s,' they added. Production, location and safety crews are to be staying in Caernarfon and Bangor. Locals have reported seeing HoTD teams picking up visitor litter from Dinorwic Quarry and placing bins to ensure it's spotless when vacated. Season three is expected to be released in late 2026. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox See what's on in your area
North Wales Live
3 days ago
- North Wales Live
The six locations in North Wales rumoured for House of the Dragon filming
Six film location sites in northwest Wales are said to have been earmarked for season three of HBO's House of The Dragon (HoTD). Some were used in summer 2023, others are new. Three large sets are already taking shape at Dinorwig Quarry near Llanberis, which in season two served as an HoTD backdrop for Harrenhal Castle, the largest fortification in Westeros. Props assembled so far suggest the aftermath of a visit by a fire-breathing dragon to the Harrenhal battle camp in the Riverlands. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has hinted of more filming at Traeth Llanddwyn and Newborough Forest in southwest Anglesey, where some trees are being felled. According to a source close to the production team, film crews will also be returning to Penmon in south west Anglesey. Other locations are in Eryri (Snowdonia), including Cwm Idwal and its iconic lake in the Ogwen Valley, Gwynedd. Two sites near Capel Curig, Conwy, have also been scouted. A seventh site, in Nant Peris at the foot of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), will reportedly be used as the production team's base. Northwest Wales was one of the main stars of season two, when eight locations were used. Half of these were on Anglesey, including Beaumaris and Porth-y-Cŵch. Llanddwyn Beach, near Newborough village, saw a good deal of filming and is said to have provided the backdrop for parts of Dragonstone. In a social media post NRW said an un-named TV production company was back on site this week. They were undertaking 'small scale preparation works' at the Twyni Penrhos area of Newborough Forest. This involved removing a 'small number of unsafe trees', along with rough vegetation and tree stumps. Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone NRW said: 'All work will be undertaken under close supervision of ecologists. The area will be restored to dune grassland and native scrub which will benefit wildlife and the local environment and provide accommodation space for filming equipment. "There will be no disruption to visitors.' At present it's unclear if HoTD will be returning to Trefor Quarry on the Gwynedd coast, which was transformed into Dragonstone Castle for season two. Other sites featured in the second series included the Ogwen Valley and around Penmachno Roman Bridge, near Betws-y-Coed. A source claimed the Nant Peris site above Llanberis will be the gathering point for actors and extras. 'A large marquee is to be erected and the actors will be ferried to the various sites in minibuses and 4x4s,' they added. Production, location and safety crews are to be staying in Caernarfon and Bangor. Locals have reported seeing HoTD teams picking up visitor litter from Dinorwic Quarry and placing bins to ensure it's spotless when vacated. See what's on in your area
