Latest news with #MaritimeService
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Wales Online
Campervan saved from sea by 'snorkel' after being swamped on Welsh beach
Campervan saved from sea by 'snorkel' after being swamped on Welsh beach Several cars have been swamped by the sea at the drive-on beach already this year The marooned van is battered by waves (Image: Kev Wardlaw ) Visitors to a popular Welsh beach are calling for stronger safety measures after several incidents of cars being caught out by tides. This year has seen numerous vehicles overtaken by the sea at a drive-on beach in Gwynedd. Recently, an off-road VW campervan was the latest to suffer at the hands of the rising tide at Traeth y Greigddu (Black Rock Sands), prompting bystanders to seek help via social media to rescue it. The van was engulfed by the rough sea, with its distress becoming a spectacle as the owners awaited assistance. Fortunately, the van was built for such eventualities, fitted with a "snorkel" exhaust or raised air intake which helps guard against water damage and can enhance engine performance. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Though the van is believed to have been successfully retrieved, details of the rescuer remain unknown. While Cyngor Gwynedd's Maritime Service officers often aid in vehicle recovery, they operate only during working hours and the van was stranded after 9pm on Sunday, June 8. Morfa Bychan's extensive sandy stretch near Porthmadog is one of the rare north Wales beaches that permit vehicular access. The spot has garnered affection on TikTok, regularly described as "one of the best beaches in Wales", reports North Wales Live. The drive-up advantage allows families easy access to the shore without the burden of carrying beach gear from remote parking spots. However, this convenience isn't free: from April 1 to September 30, a day ticket costs £8 for cars and £16 for larger vehicles and campervans. Article continues below Despite several warnings about soft sand and rapidly changing tides, people often disregard the notices. This year alone, numerous vehicles have been trapped by the beach during the mild spring days, with expensive cars frequently becoming casualties. The incoming tide threatens to swamp the vehicle. Among those calling for help was Kev Wardlaw, who took these images (Image: Kev Wardlaw ) Reacting to a recent event, a woman from Staffordshire posted online: "People need to understand the sea around there. It can sweep around Porthmadog and suddenly you're on an island of quicksand." Recalling childhood holidays in the area, she noted: "On all the holidays we've had near there as a kid, it's caught many people out. There is a local farmer who gets the job of pulling people out. He risks himself and his equipment for the big egos who think they can take on nature." Some cars are rescued before damage is done, but for others, engine exposure to salt water could mean total loss. With warning signs and safety guidelines in place, insurers are unlikely to foot the bill for replacements. The beach offers great opportunities for swimming and water sports; however, its gradual slope brings the tide in swiftly. Saturated sand captures vehicles in no time, and without assistance, escape is nearly impossible. When council beach staff are unavailable, the only recourse is a "third-party contractor" such as a recovery firm or a cooperative farmer. In these instances, the local authority cautions that drivers will be "responsible for the associated costs". Over time, police have clamped down on drivers speeding and performing "donut" handbrake turns on the beach, which has a 10mph speed limit. In November 2023, two men from Wiltshire, aged 20 and 21, were penalised for dangerous driving on the sand. North Wales Police have consistently maintained that their officers will react to incidents of anti-social driving and intervene as needed. Dispersal orders have been implemented at several car gatherings, with patrol efforts ongoing in the vicinity. Echoing the stance of Cyngor Gwynedd, the force is committed to a "zero-tolerance" policy on dangerous driving. The local council is keen for beachgoers to savour their time by the sea but emphasises the importance of safety. They encourage visitors to stay informed about the weather forecast and tidal schedules, and to approach the seafront with due reverence. Article continues below Motorists are being particularly reminded to pay attention to safety signage on the beach. A spokesperson said: "Motorists are advised to avoid parking below the high tide line and stay alert to changes in weather and sea conditions."
North Wales Live
2 days ago
- Automotive
- North Wales Live
Stranded VW campervan saved by ‘snorkel' as rough seas batter notorious North Wales beach
Frustrated beachgoers have demanded greater safeguards on a stretch of sand that repeatedly catches out the unwary. Already this year, multiple cars have been swamped by the sea at the drive-on beach in Gwynedd. The latest to fall victim to the tide at Traeth y Greigddu (Black Rock Sands) was an off-road VW campervan. Horrified onlookers sounded the alarm, issuing a social media appeal for help hauling the vehicle back to dry land. In rough seas, the van was battered by waves as its owners waited for help to arrive. Luckily, it was a vehicle built to survive a degree of immersion, being equipped with an engine 'snorkel' exhaust, also known as a raised air intake. As well as potentially improving performance, snorkels protect the engine from water ingress. It's believed the van was eventually hauled to safety but it's not known by whom. Cyngor Gwynedd's Maritime Service officers always attempt to recover stranded vehicles - but only during staffed hours: the van became marrooned around 9pm last Sunday, June 8. The vast sandy beach at Morfa Bychan, near Porthmadog, is one of the few in North Wales onto which cars can drive. It's a TikTok favourit, often proclaimed 'one of the best beaches in Wales'. For visiting families, its accessibility means there's no need to haul sun-loungers and picnic boxes from distant car parks. But this conveniences comes at a price: between April 1 and September 30, day tickets are £8 for a car and £16 for larger vehicles and campervans. Despite repeated warnings of soft sand and fast-changing tides, the messaging is often ignored. Already this year the beach has snared multiple victims in the warm Spring weather. Often they've been high value cars. Visitors who tempt fate usually get little sympathy from others. Following the latest incident, a Staffordshire woman said online: 'People need to understand the sea around there. It can sweep around Porthmadog and suddenly you're on an island of quicksand. 'On all the holidays we've had near there as a kid, it's caught many people out. There is a local farmer who gets the job of pulling people out. He risks himself and his equipment for the big egos who think they can take on nature.' You can see a clip of a recent tractor rescue here. A few vehicles are pulled to safety before suffering damage but others are likely to be write-offs if their engines have been exposed to salt water. Given the number of warning signs and amount of safety advice, few insurance policies will cover replacement costs. The beach is excellent for swimming and water sports but its gentle shelf means the tide comes in fast. Waterlogged sand quickly traps vehicles and, without help, there's little chance of escape. When the council's beach staff are not available, the only option is a 'third-party contractor' such as a recovery firm or a friendly farmer. In this case, the local authority warns that drivers will be 'responsible for the associated costs'. Some Gwynedd residents are unhappy they must pay to go on the beach, and have complained about its use as a racetrack by local and visiting youngsters. A Harlech man believes Cyngor Gwynedd should always have a tractor on standby whenever there are vehicles on the sand. 'The council charges enough for folk to go on the beach,' he said on social media. 'I live in the area and pay council tax.... I find it disgusting that I have to pay full price to go on this beach with my car." Over the years, police have cracked down on drivers speeding and performing 'donut' handbrake turns on the beach, which has a 10mph speed limit. In November 2023, two men from Wiltshire, aged 20 and 21, were sentenced for driving dangerously on the sand. Despite this, complaints of inappropriate driving have continued. The Harlech man said: 'When will the police stop immature folk driving recklessly on the beach? Someone will be killed eventually at Black Rock Sands.' North Wales Police have always said its officers will respond to reports of anti-social driving and take action if necessary. Dispersal orders had been issued at some car meets and police patrols continue in the area. Like Cyngor Gwynedd, the force has promised a 'zero-tolerance' approach to dangerous driving. The council wants people to enjoy the beach and to do so safely, with visitors urged to check weather forecast and tides times – and to 'treat the sea and coastline with respect'. It has urged drivers to heed safety signs on the beach. A spokesperson said: 'Motorists are advised to avoid parking below the high tide line and stay alert to changes in weather and sea conditions.'
North Wales Live
05-06-2025
- Business
- North Wales Live
Free parking set to end at Gwynedd beauty spot dubbed 'sunset beach'
Charges look set to be introduced at Gwynedd beach car park that was previously free. Parking levies were introduced on a trial basis at the Dinas Dinlle beach carpark, near Caernarfon last summer. Cyngor Gwynedd's cabinet is now being asked to support a plan to start the legal process seeking a permanent off-street parking order at the site, at a meeting on Tuesday, June 10. Dinas Dinlle is a long sand and pebbled coastal area, popular with visitors and locals for its far reaching view towards Anglesey and the Llŷn Peninsula. It is also the site of a nearby Iron Age Hill fort, which has been the subject of archaeological excavation. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday The Cabinet is formally being requested to endorse a plan to delegate authority to the head of economy and community, in consultation with the Cabinet member for economy and community and head of legal services, to prepare an order to make the experimental order permanent, and give notice to the press. During 2018/19, the cash-strapped council had considered areas to make financial savings. In February, 2019, it had approved savings schemes, which included charging parking fees at the beach. The carpark falls within the responsibility of the Maritime Service, Economy and Community Department. Work to develop the parking fee plan was paused due to Covid. It was later decided to hold a trial period. "It was felt that conducting a trial period would be advantageous, and for the period to be reviewed and appraised as part of the work to develop permanent management arrangements for the site," a report had stated. During initial discussions with Llandwrog Community Council in 2019, some local concerns were raised. These had included the "detrimental impact" on businesses and residents of the village, highway safety, and that the beach served a vast number of Gwynedd residents and contributed to health and wellbeing. Further discussions with county council members and the Community Council saw a package drawn up for the site, which had also seen £400,000 improvements to the site, including resurfacing of the car park. The parking fee experiment was organised between August 16, 2024 - September 30, 2024. Fees were payable via a machine, between 9am-5pm, daily, with up to one of parking free, up to two hours: £2, Up to three hours: £3, Up to eight hours: £6 and a season ticket was £25.00. A survey had shown that 64% believed the fees were "too high" and 30% believed that the fees were "fine" , a report noted. Amid the feedback, 50% had agreed that vehicles which parked overnight in the car park should be "managed". A raft of recommendations mooted included introducing measures to prohibit overnight vehicle stays, introducing season tickets at a "reasonable fee" for locals, introducing seasonal fees, between March 1 and October 31, and earmarking 15% of income for maintenance. On April 1, 2025, changes came into force which led to an increase within the parking fees structure adopted by Cyngor Gwynedd. A new fee structure, would now see one hour still free, up to two hours: £2.20, up to four hours: £4.20, up to eight hours: £6 and a Season Ticket of £30 at the beach. A report noted the structure was recommended specifically for the Dinas Dinlle beach car park to "produce an income stream and contribute to the service's income targets, taking into account the site's features and restrictions". The Cabinet report also noted a comment from the council's chief finance officer, stating: "I can confirm that there is an income target for Dinas Dinlle Car Park since Cabinet agreed to introduce a fee and it is £57,930 for 2025/26. I therefore welcome the decision sought.."
