Latest news with #RichardBerry
Scottish Sun
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Parking prices at popular UK seaside spot to DOUBLE with ‘car park lockdown' system to be introduced this weekend
The cost for parking up to two hours at the spot will increase from £2 to £5, while each additional 20 minutes will now cost 70p, up from 40p PARKED OFF Parking prices at popular UK seaside spot to DOUBLE with 'car park lockdown' system to be introduced this weekend Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A POPULAR coastal spot that's loved by Brits is set to double its parking charges - in an effort to address severe traffic congestion in the area. In addition, a new "lockdown" system will be introduced to restrict access to a 300-space car park. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 New parking regulations at Newborough Beach in Anglesey aim to curb severe traffic congestion 4 A new barrier system will also prevent vehicles from entering Newborough Beach car park during peak times, even if spaces become available Credit: Getty 4 Parking charges at Newborough Beach and nearby car parks will significantly increase Credit: Getty 4 Natural Resources Wales have introduced the measures to reduce traffic and protect the area's wildlife Credit: Getty From Friday, 23 May, parking charges at the main car park for Newborough Beach in Anglesey, as well as two other locations within Newborough Forest, will rise significantly. The cost for parking up to two hours will increase from £2 to £5, while each additional 20 minutes will now cost 70p, up from 40p. The maximum daily charge will more than double, increasing from £7 to £15. However, free parking for Blue Badge holders will remain unchanged, while visitors from outside Anglesey, the £70 annual pass will also stay at its current price. Furthermore, over the Bank Holiday weekend, a trial car park lockdown system will be introduced which will use barriers to block access to the 300-space beach car park, preventing additional vehicles from entering until 4:30pm - even if spaces become available earlier. These measures are being taken to help tackle the severe traffic congestion often seen at one of Wales' most popular coastal attractions. Unsurprisingly, the price hikes have drawn criticism from many motorists - with locals concerned the new prices will prevent many from visiting the National Nature Reserve. Nevertheless, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) believes the new pricing structure aligns with those of other beach car parks on Anglesey. The trial lockdown system will be applied not only to the main beach car park but also to the Airman's and Cwningar car parks within Newborough Forest. According to NRW, visitors heading to these three locations will know of closures via a matrix sign situated on the A4080 at Pen Lôn roundabout - around half a mile south of Newborough village. Major parking change for ALL drivers in England Reports indicate that the car parks typically reach full capacity by 11am, or even earlier, during peak times such as Bank Holidays, weekends, and spells of good weather. Richard Berry, the land management team leader for northwest Wales at NRW, said: "We hope this approach will protect the site's precious wildlife, enhance the visitor experience, and reduce congestion in the village, where motorists currently queue for parking spaces to become available. "We therefore encourage visitors to consider coming at quieter times or exploring one of the many other beaches and destinations on Anglesey."
The Irish Sun
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Parking prices at popular UK seaside spot to DOUBLE with ‘car park lockdown' system to be introduced this weekend
A POPULAR coastal spot that's loved by Brits is set to double its parking charges - in an effort to address severe traffic congestion in the area. In addition, a new "lockdown" system will be introduced to restrict access to a 300-space car park. 4 New parking regulations at Newborough Beach in Anglesey aim to curb severe traffic congestion 4 A new barrier system will also prevent vehicles from entering Newborough Beach car park during peak times, even if spaces become available Credit: Getty 4 Parking charges at Newborough Beach and nearby car parks will significantly increase Credit: Getty 4 Natural Resources Wales have introduced the measures to reduce traffic and protect the area's wildlife Credit: Getty From Friday, 23 May, parking charges at the main car park for Newborough Beach in Anglesey, as well as two other locations within Newborough Forest, will rise significantly. The cost for parking up to two hours will increase from £2 to £5, while each additional 20 minutes will now cost 70p, up from 40p. The maximum daily charge will more than double, increasing from £7 to £15. However, free parking for Blue Badge holders will remain unchanged, while visitors from outside Anglesey, the £70 annual pass will also stay at its current price. Read more Motors News Furthermore, over the Bank Holiday weekend, a trial car park lockdown system will be introduced which will use barriers to block access to the 300-space beach car park, preventing additional vehicles from entering until 4:30pm - even if spaces become available earlier. These measures are being taken to help tackle the severe traffic congestion often seen at one of Wales' most popular coastal attractions. Unsurprisingly, the price hikes have drawn criticism from many motorists - with locals concerned the new prices will prevent many from visiting the National Nature Reserve. Nevertheless, Most read in Motors The trial lockdown system will be applied not only to the main beach car park but also to the Airman's and Cwningar car parks within Newborough Forest. According to NRW, visitors heading to these three locations will know of closures via a matrix sign situated on the A4080 at Pen Lôn roundabout - around half a mile south of Newborough village. Major parking change for ALL drivers in England Reports indicate that the car parks typically reach full capacity by 11am, or even earlier, during peak times such as Bank Holidays, weekends, and spells of good weather. Richard Berry, the land management team leader for northwest Wales at NRW, said: "We hope this approach will protect the site's precious wildlife, enhance the visitor experience, and reduce congestion in the village, where motorists currently queue for parking spaces to become available. "We therefore encourage visitors to consider coming at quieter times or exploring one of the many other beaches and destinations on Anglesey."
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
New parking measures to tackle beach gridlock
Visitors to a beach featured in the hit TV show House of the Dragon will face new parking restrictions in a bid to halt gridlock. Ticket prices are set to rise, while the main car parks for those heading to Llanddwyn beach on Anglesey could be closed off from mid-morning. National Resources Wales (NRW), which manages the beach and forest nature reserve, say it is in response to ongoing problems in the nearby village of Newborough. Residents there have held public protests over the level of congestion as more and more people flock to the beach. The main route to the beach car park means vehicles have to pass through the village on a narrow road to reach the beach. At peak times, such as summer and public holidays, it has led to long queues of traffic. For the road down to the beach - Church Street - it can leave residents there unable to get in or out from their own homes for hours on end. "The people who live on Church Street, there are so many houses there, and they basically have to plan their day around the visitors that come to the area - which isn't right at all," said the county councillor for the area, John Ifan Jones. Anger at traffic gridlock at House of the Dragon beach Cash for tourist firms to shelter visitors from rain Prison threat for residents over parking cones From Friday a fresh attempt to address the issues is being tested. Parking at the main beach car parks will rise to £5 for two hours, and then a further 70p for every additional 20 minutes - up to a maximum of £15 a day. In addition, there will be a trial over the bank holiday weekend, closing access to the car parks on Saturday, Sunday and Monday as they become full. The car parks will shut to new vehicles entering until 16:30 BST each day. "The trial will stop vehicles accessing the site once the car park becomes full," explained Richard Berry, the NRW land management team leader for the region. "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." NRW warned that could see the car parks closed from as early as 11:00 during the trial, and said prospective visitors should consider venturing to the beach at quieter times - or choose other beach locations on Anglesey - it has over 40 dotted around the island's coast. "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." The area's county councillor said the trial would be carefully monitored by the community, to see what impact it had on traffic through the village over the summer. "We have to try something, and this is the first step of many I hope," said Mr Jones. An official for Anglesey council said it would be enforcing existing parking restrictions in the village itself and the surrounding areas over the holiday weekend. "In addition, we'll ask the public for their support by parking responsibly and safely and asking them to take the needs of the local community into account," they added.
Daily Mirror
21-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
UK's 'most beautiful' beach unveils brutal £15 charge as locals threaten action
Following a huge influx in tourists, a stunning Blue Flag beach has issued a stark clampdown on visitors - including a £15 maximum daily car park charge and strict cut-off times An out-of-this-world Blue Flag beach with a stunning mountain backdrop has revealed a brutal clampdown on tourists. Often touted as the UK's 'most beautiful' beach, Llanddwyn (also known as Newborough) boasts over a mile of soft golden sand, crystal-clear waters, and a breathtaking view of Snowdonia and the Lleyn Peninsula.. Tucked away in Newborough Warren National Nature Reserve on Llanddwyn Island (which is technically not an island as it remains attached to the mainland) - this idyllic slice of UK coastline has become increasingly popular in recent years. However, its insatiable appeal has resulted in backlash from locals - who say their lives were in 'lockdown' due to traffic issues worsened by day-trippers. Bolstered in popularity due to the acclaimed TV series House of the Dragon, residents threatened to erupt into protest unless something was done to tackle congestion in the area. As a result, Natural Resource Wales (NRW) has introduced a new car park pricing scale, along with a trial that will prevent cars from accessing the car park when it has reached capacity - even when spaces become available. On its website, NRW says the updated prices will apply to the Main Beach, Airman's and Cwningar car parks and will come into force on Friday, May 23. Tourists will be charged £5 for the first two hours, and then 70p for each additional 20 minutes. The hefty charge is capped at £15 per day. Tourists will also face fines for those trying to park overnight, or holidaymakers wanting to camp on the beach. A trial of closing car parks at the site until 4.30pm once they are full will take place on Saturday, Sunday and Monday (May 24, 25, and 26) to ease traffic flow and congestion and try and prevent cars parking in Newborough village waiting for spaces to become available. Richard Berry, Land Management Team Leader for North West Wales, defended the new pricing structure, arguing it reflects that of 'other beach car parks on Anglesey'. He confirmed that season tickets and discounted season tickets for local residents won't be hit by the surcharge, while free parking for Blue Badge holders will remain. "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," he added. "Even as cars leave the site and spaces become available no vehicular access will be allowed until after 4.30pm." Richard states the new approach aims to safeguard the site's 'precious wildlife' as well as improve the visitor experience and slash congestion in the village. He has therefore urged tourists to consider visiting the beach at 'quieter times' or to visit a nearby beach on Anglesey. If you're undeterred by the hefty parking charge, Llanddwyn beach is around 263 miles from London - meaning it'll take a gruelling five hours and 36 minutes in the car. Indirect train routes to Bodorgan, which tend to include a stopover in Chester, slash the journey time to just under four hours. However, from here, you'll have to take a 21-minute taxi ride. If you're flexible with dates, you can grab single adult fares for around £87.
North Wales Live
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- North Wales Live
'Absolute robbery' claim over radical measures for iconic North Wales beach
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.
