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OPPOSITION to controversial park and ride
plans in Snowdonia is gathering pace after a website was set up
highlighting its flaws.
Campaigners against the Green Key Initiative have gone online in their
attempts to spotlight what they say are weaknesses in plans to encourage
the increased use of public transport within the northern national park.
The Green Key Initiative is a Snowdonia National Park Authority and
Gwynedd County Council-led plan to encourage fewer visitors by car within
the park itself.
Proposals put forward include the improvement of public transport and
the introduction of park and ride "gateways" at Llanrwst and
Betws-y-Coed, where tourists leave their cars and opt for a network
of buses.
The Freedom To Choose group says that freedom to move about within the
park is integral to the attraction of the area. Concerns over the effect
on trade because of parking limits in small villages such as Capel Curig
have also been raised.
"The inconvenience is unimaginable," said campaigner David
Woodford. "A family may be going out, they may have granny with them
or a few children who might want to do different things or might become
ill. What's being offered is a timetabled experience which is exactly what
people who come here are trying to get away from.
"Parking charges have been suggested at £4 per hour with a limit
of two hours. It means everybody's got to get a bus if they
want to climb a mountain," added Mr Wood-ford, who said visitors had
not been asked about the plan.
"If these proposals are implemented they will mean the end of
hill-walking and rock-climbing in North Wales - healthy, harmless pursuits
which have created a lot of jobs," said fellow campaigner Alan
Ashton.
It is hoped the website can generate more interest in the controversial
plan.
Betws-y-Coed residents had their opportunity to air opinions about the
initiative at a consultation meeting in the memorial hall last night.
Parking spaces being filled up by visitors heading to the rest of
Snowdonia, to the detriment of Betws-y-Coed itself, are among fears raised
by traders.
Two public meetings to discuss the initiative have been arranged for
Sunday and Monday night at Capel Curig's Bryn Tyrch Hotel at 7.30pm.
The final park authority consultation
meeting takes place at Porthmadog leisure centre tonight at 7.30pm. |