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Sheffield: I fully support the campaign to stop the Park and Ride
scheme. By introducing such a scheme, the National Park would see a sharp
decline in visitor numbers realising the inconvenience of having to fit in
with the arrangements. How is this going to boost an economy primarily
driven by tourism? Has any consultation been entered into with other
National Parks, etc. who would see a rise in visitor numbers as a
consequence? I for one would automatically consider going to the Lake
District for a weekend rather than Snowdonia if these draconian measures
were brought in. Then again, Snowdonia may become more peaceful if
everyone decides to go elsewhere...
Ambleside: Has anyone considered the effect upon income from
tourism. If I cannot park to climb and walk as I have done for more than
25 years then I simply will go elsewhere and that means spending my money
elsewhere! The Scots are far more welcoming in this respect!
Quinton, Birmingham: I am in total opposition to the Park & Ride
Scheme. I have enjoyed the freedom to park in designated areas for many
years to enjoy walking and climbing, and yet again, some beauracratic body
is deciding for me to take away this right. I belong to a large
mountaineering club, and we have overwhelmingly decided to refuse to
support the scheme. This is just another typical example of a 'Too good to
miss' business opportunity which infringes on my rights to freely park my
own vehicle in the desiganted bays and enjoy a days climbing. I certainly
will not use any public transport system offered, and will not pay
extoriante fees to park in a designated car park. Surely people must realise that
this action will kill tourism to the National Park and will deny climbers
and walkers the opportunity of continuing their hobbies in the area.
Snowdonia will die a quick death if this scheme is passed.
Victoria –
Australia: To whom it may concern, I have never heard such a crazy plan before.
(Re "traffic management" in Snowdonia with draconic parking
restrictions.) WHAT A GREAT
WAY TO DISCOURAGE TOURISTS - WELL DONE!!!
What a great way to make life difficult for locals and visitors and
encourage tourists to GO ELSEWHERE. Perhaps it would be a good thing to
keep tourists OUT OF N WALES. However
the farmers have not exactly had a good time lately thanks to the effects
of foot and mouth. So now you want to make life difficult for them too??
What about other industries and business in the area too?? Let them
suffer too. Just think the government will get less tax (hey, what a good
idea ... less tax). Is it really supposed to be a "green"
development. Looks like it will make life extremely difficult for anyone
to eg walk up Snowdon from Pen y pass after work (like I used to and
want(ed) to again. It's supposed to encourage tourism - what a joke - very funny. Thank
goodness the majority our national parks in Australia are geared up for
tourists with well developed car-parks (FREE) and barbecue facilities.
Only time they are closed is during dangers of bushfires. There is only a
small fee at a select few but that money goes to improvements in the park.
Most parks have excellent (natural low cost) camping facilities.
What IDIOT comes up with such stupidity - no doubt a materialistic
city dweller who is scared of natural beauty and worships concrete. If
this stupidity goes ahead then I (and my friends) WILL NEVER visit N Wales
again. I , who lived / loved / explored by foot the beauty of
N Wales for 7 years who want(ed) to return there from sunny Australia in
the near future. N Wales is (soon to be WAS) the most beautiful place in
the world. Soon to be avoided like the plague.
Wirral: Are
these planning people morons? or have they a financial (hidden) agenda to
line their own pockets? Never heard such nonsense - I, and fellow lovers
of Snowdonia, will do our utmost to defeat this scheme. Let me give
example of what is happening now! We were climbing in Llanberis pass and
stopped for a drink at the Pen y Gwryd hotel on the way home. We found a
stranded party of walkers there, who had followed advice left their cars
in Betws y Coed and caught the bus to Pen y Pass, walked the Snowdon
horseshoe and on return to the road - last bus gone! Walked down to the
Pen y Gwyryd - no buses and no taxis to get back to their cars. We gave
one of them a lift to Betws y coed - otherwise they would have had to stay
the night at the hotel -- bus schemes only work if they cater for the
passengers, not as a political exercise.
Solihull: I
agree with the need to improve the rural economy of the Snowdonia area and
would welcome an efficient, flexible and integrated transport system.
However, I also believe in the importance of the need for choice to use
either public or private transport. An interesting array of
"observations" posted so far; I intend to add my own soon.
Bickerton: We
have only just heard about the Green Key proposal for Snowdonia. How have the authorities kept it
so quiet? We are shocked and
horrified. We have hiked in
Snowdonia since our teens and have enjoyed the freedom of access that the
plan now proposes to curtail. It
is a plan that should be put straight into the waste paper bin - now! We
see no merit in it at all.
Kings Norton, Birmingham: I
strongly object to the proposals for the following reasons:
- As a keen walker who uses a hut near Capel
Curig,I would find it so inconvenient to have to drive back to Betws
in order to catch a bus to the Ogwen or Snowdon area that I would
either stop using the hut, thus depriving trades people in the Capel
area of my custom in shops, cafes, pubs etc, or would stop visiting
Snowdonia altogether.
- Climbers and walkers cannot always foresee
changes of circumstance which may cause them to miss buses, and
possibly cause unnecessary call-outs to the Mountain Rescue when they
fail to turn up at their agreed location due to having missed the last
bus!
Surely the solution is
to construct larger car parks in popular areas so that the so-called
'unsightly' roadside parking would not be as necessary.
Abergafenny: I
fully support your campaign. It seems to me that one of your posted
comments made the key point: visitors need to feel WELCOME. Of course, we
know those concerned want us to spend money, but that shouldn't so
obviously be the prime motive. Unfortunately, the plan gives quite the
wrong impression in this respect.
Ilkley: This
scheme was obviously dreamed up by people who have no idea about climbing
& mountaineering requirements & the associated FREEDOM that our
sport has always provided. Good luck in your quest, and may sanity prevail
Leeds: Though I
am a die-hard user of public transport, commuting to work by train despite
the frustrations, I am convinced (note: not one of the 'unconvinced'!)
that the proposals are unworkable and will cause problems for businesses
within Snowdonia. I have
visited the Carneddau from Leeds by train - it is possible but requires
dedication; the opportunities to spend money in the area were very limited
by the lack of mobility. For
instance, I was unable to visit a pub for an evening meal as it was too
far to walk. I agree with
most of the comments on your site regarding the impact on walkers/climbers
(and therefore on their contribution to the local economy).
I particularly like the suggestion of valley paths, which would be a
tremendous asset to Snowdonia, and would have some effect on car usage as
they would make 'the long walk-in' easier.
On my 2-day Carneddau trip (above) I walked in from the north, but
had to hitch from Ogwen to Bangor the next day. I would have walked if an
attractive path had been available.
Most of my visits to North Wales are by car. They will cease if I am unable to
park conveniently. I will go
to places which make me welcome rather than put barriers in the way of my
chosen activities.
Chester: I am very strongly opposed to this park and ride scheme for
many practical reasons. I
believe it will be very bad for communities in the national park as it
will affect their livelihoods as a regular walker in this area I cannot
see me wanting to walk in an area where when I come down from a walk wet
through I have to stand and wait an hour for a bus, it is not convenient
to carry all our gear, change of clothes shoes etc. I would not be happy about leaving
my car loaded with gear in an unsecure car park, I cannot se any bus
service coping with the numbers of people at peak times. The sheer number of people and
points where walks start and finish.
Time constraints are these buses going to be available from about
6-7am for people to get to Snowdonia and then running late say till 7 -
9pm to pick up stragglers. What
are the safety implications of people being left with no means of getting
back to their cars after the bus service has closed down. This scheme would definitely be
one which would make me look for other areas to walk in where these
restrictions do not exist.
Sheffield: The proposed
park and ride scheme will be detrimental to Snowdonia's economy
and awkward and dangerous for climbers etc
Whitchurch: Please
keep me informed as I am a keen walker and climber for over 30 years and a
past resident of Anglesey. I do not agree with the proposals put forward to
limit parking in the National Park.
Gobowen: A
simple message from a simple and straight forward person. On the 09/02/02
I walked to the top of Moel Siabod (for the first time), and in my
opinion, standing in a 30mph wind enjoyed the greatest view in the
Snowdonia National Park. On descending my companion and I could speak of
nothing else. Calling at Ellis Brigham (which I do every time I'm in the
park), there was a notice concerning the Green Key Strategy. I have NEVER
read, heard of or contemplated an idea so devastating to the future of
Snowdonia. I can say with all honesty that I left the Park that day very
upset and angry, not only for myself, my friends, and fellow outdoor
people but more importantly the people who live, work and breath the
Snowdonia National Park. There are a great many beautiful places within
this island of ours, and we all have a choice. If this INSANE idea is
given the go ahead, people WILL make their choice and disappear to other
areas and the park WILL SUFFER.
Llangoed, Anglesey: I
totally disagree with these proposed restrictions on our access. And as
for "green", that's a joke!
Chester: I
believe this is a very badly thought scheme for Snowdonia National Park
which will not help the park communities.
I believe it will drive the many climbers and walkers away from
this area of Snowdonia. Other
European countries with this type of environment do not resort to these
draconian measures, why are we. In
Austria and Switzerland there are good bus services, but cars can be used
as well, there are car parks and the paths are well maintained and
waymarked, and they have a higher volume of people using the facilities. This is definitely not the way
forward
Hackney, London: This is
a ridiculous idea - bad for visitors and the local community alike. It
must not be allowed to go ahead.
Llangoed, Anglesey: This is a ridiculous scheme that will drive regular
mountain users away. Look what happened during foot and mouth.
Lichfield: The proposals are
outrageous. Are we really expected to queue up for the bus with our
climbing gear? Will the bus drop us off at 6am so we can get the distant
routes in? And will it come to pick us up when we're late off the
mountain? Was it a bird-brain or a
control freak who dreamed this one up? By
all means have a park and ride for the casual visitor who only plans a
short trip, but to effectively close whole regions of the hills to serious
climbers and scramblers is insupportable.
Leamington
Spa: Thanks for setting up this website to raise awareness of the
Green Key proposal. I have passed the URL on to the other members in the
mountaineering club which I belong to, as we are all currently regular
visitors to Snowdonia. I will be writing to Gwenllian Owens to express my
views on the proposal.
Solihull:
I feel this would seriously affect tourism to the area which, after foot
and mouth would cripple a lot af business reliable on the outdoor
industry.
Moseley, Birmingham: I would guess
the bus runs during the foot and mouth situation are behind this - someone
discovered an ideal opportunity for making more money out of the people
who bring so much money to the area already. I feel the whole proposal is
insulting to the people who have spent much of their leisure time walking
and climbing in Snowdonia. It will force passing trade away from many
areas, concentrate traffic problems in small areas and leave many feeling
very bitter at the sheer inappropriateness of it all. It will take away
the independence of walkers, ramblers and climbers alike, most of whom are
quite sensible about parking and return often because they appreciate the
current accessibility of the area. How can people appreciate the area when
they are left with the feeling they are being ripped off, paying for
parking, paying for buses, being restricted in the destinations in which
they can spend their time and being forced to restrict their time to catch
the last bus back to the car park. As if every day life isn't stressful
enough. How long will it be before we end up paying at every foot-style to
go any further, or more worryingly, if it does go ahead how long before
the rest of our wilderness areas become one big pay and display situation?
I object strongly to the whole proposal. I would, however, gladly
contribute to the conservation funds for the area in return for the
parking restrictions not to go ahead, as would most conscientious
visitors.
Basall Heath, Birmingham: Access to
the hills needs to stay 24hr all year round, they can put in additional
park and ride but can not stop parking within the existing parking areas.
Stirchley, Birmingham: More buses
yes, but if you remove parking from the hillside roads, you will loose
walkers to Scotland or the Lakes. If you loose the walkers, you will loose
off season tourist revenues. Access to Snowdonia is bad enough, without
more restrictions.
Llanfairpwll, Anglesey: These
proposals seem to be saying that the Authorities only want us in the Park
for as long it takes to fleece some money and then we can clear off to
make room for the next lot of punters. My wife, children and I have always
greatly enjoyed walking amongst the hills and this seems to be effectively
trying to end that. If we were getting our pleasure at someone else's
expense, I would be much more sympathetic to any suggestions but, as far
as I can see, we don't cause any problems to the local population. Parking
congestion occasionally occurs in a few places on certain days of the year
(such as Pen y Pass on Bank Holidays) but we avoid it by going somewhere
else at that time or turning up late in the afternoon when other people
are going home. I have never yet been stuck in a traffic jam after living
here for twenty years and actively going into the hills for most of that
time. If parked cars are an eye sore at Ogwen then the only people who can
be seeing them are other motorists driving along the road or people in the
hills, most of whom probably travelled in them. It seems interesting that
the authorities seem to believe that by stopping people going into the
hills (where they can't spend money), they will force them to go shopping
in the local towns. Well, on that basis, last year must have been very
good for tourism as the mountains were definitely off limits due to the
foot and mouth but you could wander up and down Bethesda High street as
much as you liked. Obviously, the authorities must think that all the
tales of woe from the rural tourist industry were not just exaggerated but
totally wrong. If the Lake District makes more money from tourism, whilst
still allowing people to walk freely over the fells then I suggest that
the bloody Green Key goes up there and finds out what they do better. A
quick comparison between the centres of Ambleside and Bethesda might give
them a tiny clue.
Brynsiencyn, Anglesey: How this
proposal is going to benefit local tourism is anybody's guess. By
effectively keeping people out of the areas inside the National Park by
restricting the amount of time they can spend there, all the businesses in
this area are going to suffer. Do they really think many people are going
to leave their cars and spend time waiting for a bus, travelling on it
then waiting for another one back (assuming they haven't missed the last
one!), just to go to the local shops to buy things they could get more
easily elsewhere? People just won't bother; they'll find somewhere else to
do their shopping. Also, I thought one of the main aims of the National
Parks Authority was to promote recreation. This certainly won't do
anything to encourage people to use their leisure time constructively, as
it effectively bans walking and many other leisure activities which take
more than two hours. Not to mention the revenue lost to local businesses
when these same people are prevented from going out for a meal after their
day's activities, for instance.
Tunbridge Wells: Keep up the good work!
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