My comments on the report are inclusions required in the final report or questions which require answering; the main one is that charging for parking is an established local council tax which has nothing to do with regional development.

Some of my comments are already in the on the snowdonia2002 web site and are at a detailed level, so I have only listed a few.

I have replied in two parts

1. On the report
2. As a climber with 30+ years of climbing internationally

The report

The objective and stated aims of the report are different.

There is no explanation/background to the national park, which I assume is the biggest natural asset within the region.  Need brief history Snowdonia National Park. Who own the land and current access rights, etc

There are no terms of reference defining the objectives and constraints of the report.

The business case is non-existent. 

• What quality long term jobs will be created ?

The funds go to the local councils – not to the local business community.

The objectives stated in the appendices seem laudable, but in reality they are just a wish list

• Why does a draft report of proposals include a section on work already being done ?

On Friday 22 February 2002 it was announced that outline planning permission had been approved for a skiing complex at the foot of Snowdon.  This is an idea which may well provide local employment, but of note is that it will increase the traffic flow and so contradicts the Green key initiative.

• Why was the report not publicised?  I first saw information on the report in the BMC magazine in March 2002 – after the original reply by deadline of 8th February 2002.

As a climber

What is needed is a report to be commissioned on the approach for Snowdonia, based on the other recreational areas in the UK.  What about the approach used in American national parks where rangers are used.  Ideas can be adopted from the facilities provided and approach taken by European countries.  I note that the BMC is to set up a focus group and have highlighted the need for other recreational groups to be involved.

Companies have enough of a problem running a public transport in suburban areas with known commuting pattern.  The report implies that it can run a good, frequent service, which is financially viable in rural area with variable visitors numbers during the year.

I do purchase equipment from the local climbing shops.

• Many sports require additional equipment that can only be discarded at the last minute. Where is this to be stored?

• A climb may be wet or busy, requiring an alternative crag or area to be visited.  Is the public transport going to flexible enough?

• What about food drink and dry clothing after a day out in welsh weather?

• What about safety issues when someone is late off the mountain?

• What will be the impact on surrounding areas, notably Anglesey and Porthmadog?

• Why is the local farmer being stopped from providing parking facilities?

• How are canoes and cycles to be transported.  Have trailers for every bus been costed?

• Are non recreation tourists to be banned from enjoying the scenery which they currently do by driving around the roads?

• Why is there such a large management hierarchy for a co-ordination role?  What is needed is consultation with interested parties, not bureaucracy.

• Why is a report dated August 2001 provided on the Conway web site end of January 2002 – 1 week before the cut off date for replies?

• I have 30+ years climbing internationally.  I have spent 2 days of my own time to read the report and reply.  How much has this report cost when all it has achieved is to put a note out to initiate interest in the idea?

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