Early implementation has begun on proposals for an ambitious and sustainable new approach to parking and transport in northern Snowdonia. The proposals outline how traffic, pollution and noise could be greatly reduced in the inner area during high season, whilst vastly improving the visitor experience.

The proposals put forward in the Parking and Transport Review for Partneriaeth Yr Wyddfa / Snowdon Partnership include:

• Seasonal parking management in the ‘inner area’ with options for pre-booking;
• An all-encompassing visitor access pass that would also encourage use of local business through discounts and offers;
• A new fleet of zero carbon buses.
• Discussing ideas with communities for improved parking in gateway villages;
• Improved car park management and enforcement;
• A complete overhaul of the way information about parking and access is communicated;
• Electric vehicle charging infrastructure;
• Management of on-street parking and residents’ parking in the gateway villages;
• Public transport services, such as the shuttle bus network, interchange with rail and long-distance bus and coach services, broader transport network improvements, and demand responsive transport services from other origins;
• Refining and working with taxi operators;
• Coach parking;
• Highways and traffic management;
• Walking and cycling initiatives;
• Other complementary services to enhance the visitor experience as part of the ethos of promoting sustainable access.

These proposals aim to make the special landscape more accessible to non‐car based visitors and enable people arriving by car to access the area and it’s attractions by alternative means.

The review recommends developing a Sustainable Tourism Approach which will reduce the environmental impact of visitors on the protected landscape, at the same time as reducing the problems and increasing the benefits of tourism to communities and the local economy, whilst improving the visitor experience and enabling a more diverse range of visitors to enjoy the area. North Wales and Eryri are perfectly positioned to respond to some of the longer-term ‘mega-trends’ in tourism around authenticity, activity and adventure, and eco-tourism. With a foundation in green travel, this would place north Wales firmly on the world stage as a sustainable destination. 

The Welsh Government through Transport for Wales have supported the initial stages of the strategy by working with Partneriaeth Yr Wyddfa to pilot a pre-booking system at Pen y Pass car park; install sensors in car parks and laybys surrounding Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon); carry out initial consultation with 4 gateway communities; re-brand the Sherpa’r Wyddfa service and improve the network; scope improvements to walking and cycling routes in two areas identified by local communities; upgrade bus stops surrounding the foot of Yr Wyddfa; and carry out further investigation into parking demands in the wider region.

See more here: www.snowdonpartnership.co.uk/parking-and-transport