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Valuable
and highly constructive CONSULTATION
Extensive
consultation in Snowdonia and beyond has produced constructive ideas on ways
in which tourism and public transport should be developed in the area.
Over
the past months the Snowdonia Green Key Initiative has held seven public
meetings in the area and a draft strategy, which suggested ways of
integrating the tourism industry with the local economy, has been circulated
widely.
The
response to the consultation has been phenomenal- thousands of letters and
e-mails have been received and the public meetings were all very well
attended. There was agreement that Snowdonia is an outstanding and unique
place and must be managed with care and understanding, and many practical
suggestions were made on how to improve economic returns from tourism to
local businesses and the community in general.
As
a result of the overwhelming amount of reaction in relation to one
particular aspect of the scheme, the Park and Ride element, the Partnership
will reconsider it's proposals and produce revised plans with the assistance
of consultants and with the full co-operation and contribution of local
people and interest parties.
"From
now on, this Initiative, if it is to succeed in its purpose must be
developed with the co-operation and active support of the local community
and in close consultation with all interested parties", said Coun.
Dafydd Iwan, speaking as Chairman of the Snowdonia Green Key Executive
Group.
Coun.
Iwan noted that the whole reasoning behind the scheme had to some extent
been lost due to the feedback on the park-and-ride element: "We would
like to set the record straight- the SGKI was never intended as a compulsory
park-and-ride scheme. It's primary aim is to develop the great potential of
Snowdonia in a long-term and sustainable way, so as to strengthen the local
economy, and improve the quality of life both for local communities and all
the varied users of the area's facilities.
Snowdonia
Green Key, a partnership of Gwynedd Council, Conwy County Borough Council,
Snowdonia National Park Authority, Countryside Council for Wales, Welsh
Development Agency and Wales Tourist Board, wishes to thank everyone who
took part in this successful consultation process, and to reassure them that
their comments and constructive ideas have been taken on board.
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