Latest news with #SteveFareham
Wales Online
28-05-2025
- Automotive
- Wales Online
'We'll be ready' warning with parking lockdowns to continue at popular North Wales beach
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 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 See what's on in your area
Wales Online
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- Wales Online
Warning over parking at busy beach as locals demand 'tow them away'
Warning over parking at busy beach as locals demand 'tow them away' Enforcement officers are due to be out and about over the bank holiday weekend Parking like this on verges close to Llanddwyn and Newborough Forest will see you getting fined (Image: Anglesey council ) Images of vehicles parked on grass verges near a famed Welsh beach are being circulated, accompanied by a cautionary message. As the bank holiday is anticipated to draw large crowds to the area, local businesses are poised to benefit, but the influx of visitors may exasperate residents. Llanddwyn beach and Newborough Forest have long been cherished destinations on bank holiday weekends, but their popularity has surged in recent years, leading to local discontent and environmental concerns. Parking has emerged as a significant challenge. Beach car parks filling up rapidly most mornings, prompting drivers to seek alternative spots nearby. This has led to vehicles being parked along the A4080 between Newborough and Malltraeth, despite the presence of double yellow lines. The car park for Traeth Llanddwyn often fills up fast on summer weekends (Image: Steve Fareham/Wiki ) In anticipation of this weekend, the council has announced that enforcement officers will be issuing fines to drivers parking along this stretch. Article continues below However, many in the area have urged the council to take stronger action, pointing out that vehicles causing road safety concerns in Eryri National Park are often towed away. North Wales Live reports the council has appealed to visitors, stating: "If you're visiting Llanddwyn this weekend - the County Council urges you to park responsibly. "Residents have highlighted road safety concerns due to inconsiderate parking along the A4080 between Newborough and Malltraeth." "Parking Enforcement Officers will be active in the area throughout the Bank Holiday weekend. Any vehicles found parked on the grass verge by the A4080 (as highlighted) will be issued with a fine (fixed penalty notice). "Thank you for your co-operation." One local's reaction to this was forthright, suggesting: "Don't bother with fines, just tow them away!" Another local proposed a more permanent measure: "put big boulders on the grass Echoing the sentiment for more drastic measures, someone commented: "If they can remove cars illegally parked at Eryri then surely this can also be done here" and another opined "Tow away like Snowdonia. For some the fixed penalty notice is nothing!". However, the views weren't all one-sided; another individual questioned the issue with the parked vehicles in question. Article continues below This person argued: "I don't know why they have a problem with the cars in the photo. They are well off the road not interfering with the pavement. They aren't dangerous or in anyone's way."
Wales Online
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- Wales Online
'Tow them away' say locals as parking issue near iconic Anglesey beach leads to warning
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 A council has issued an image of vehicles parked on grass verges near an iconic beach - with an attached warning. The bank holiday is expected to see hordes of visitors descend on the region - which is good news for businesses but can lead to frustration for many locals. Llanddwyn beach and Newborough forest have always been popular destinations but in recent years they have been overrun by visitors, causing issues for local residents and posing an environmental threat. Parking has been a major problem with the paid for car park near the beach quickly filled up most mornings - leaving people scrambling to find a nearby spot. This has included on the edge of the A4080 between Newborough and Malltraeth, where double yellows often don't deter drivers. Ahead of this weekend, the council warned enforcement officers would be out issuing fines for those who parked along this stretch. In response many in the area demanded they do more, with it pointed out that over at the hotspots of Eryri National Park vehicles are often towed away if they are causing road safety issues. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now The council said: "If you're visiting Llanddwyn this weekend - the County Council urges you to park responsibly. Residents have highlighted road safety concerns due to inconsiderate parking along the A4080 between Newborough and Malltraeth. "Parking Enforcement Officers will be in the area over the Bank Holiday weekend. Any vehicles parked on the grass verge alongside the A4080 (as shown) will receive a fine (fixed penalty notice). (Image: Steve Fareham/Wiki) "Thank you for your co-operation." In response, one local said: "Don't bother with fines, just tow them away!" while another had the alternative solution to "put big boulders on the grass The first idea was repeated with a person adding: "If they can remove cars illegally parked at Eryri then surely this can also be done here" and another saying "Tow away like Snowdonia. For some the fixed penalty notice is nothing!" But it wasn't one way traffic - with one respondent asking what the vehicles in the image were doing wrong. He said: "I don't know why they have a problem with the cars in the photo. They are well off the road not interfering with the pavement. They aren't dangerous or in anyone's way." Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Find out what's happening near you
