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The group Freedom to choose – Snowdonia is supportive
of any initiative aimed at environmental sustainability, increased
enjoyment of the National Park and improvements to the infrastructure and
economy of the area.
We would also encourage any attempt to
address the transport issue by reducing the reliance on the motor car.
Provided of course that the outcomes are in accordance with, and in the
spirit of the National Parks Act.
The Snowdonia Green Key Strategy Statement outlines a
scheme, which purports to provide all of the above by encouraging visitors
to be less reliant on the private car and by improving the facilities for
alternative models of transport.
The Statement however provided no substantive or
convincing evidence that the scheme will produce any of the anticipated
outcomes and leaves many questions unanswered.
- Is it, for example, environmentally beneficial to displace cars with
buses?
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Do large "gateway" car parks have a
better environmental impact than randomly scattered parking in the
"core" areas?
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What will be the environmental impact of
"gateway interchanges" intermediate interchanges, waiting
areas and bus shelters? No details have been provided.
There is a fear that the National Park is being "urbanised"
and that visitors are being "managed" - elements which many
visitors come to Snowdonia to escape from.
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Increased visitor spending and financial viability
of a transport system are terms, which appear central to the
proposals: is this really following the intention of the National Park
Act?
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Will visitor spending be increased when more of
their available spending is directed towards parking charges and
transport?
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What evidence is there that a public transport
system in an area as diverse as Northern Snowdonia can be flexible
enough to meet the complex needs of the users without support from the
private motor vehicle.
Steps towards an improved and integrated transport system and increased
facilities for visitors are certainly a way forward but they have to be
carefully considered in collaboration with local communities and not at
the expense of the overall visitor experience.
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