Freedom to Choose - Snowdonia Observation 99

Observation 99 : Freedom to Choose - Snowdonia identifies potential stopping places on the A470 Dolwyddelan to Pont-yr-Afanc Improvement in the Lledr Valley

Work has started on this improvement and Freedom to Choose - Snowdonia is concerned that throughout the length of the A470 Dolwyddelan to Pont-yr-Afanc Improvement it would appear that no provision has been made for any respite areas or stopping places for traffic; this is quite remarkable along such an important section of trunk road and through such a scenic and historic area.

Plans for the above improvement were published some eight years ago (a copy of the plans and supporting statements is available on the Wales National Assembly website as an Environmental Statement - Non Technical Summary). Much has changed during the intervening period and it would not seem unreasonable to review this element of the scheme, particularly in the light of the large number of responses to the Green Key Initiative^1.

The Freedom to Choose Snowdonia response² specifically noted the lack of parking in the Lledr valley.

Following the publication of the Snowdonia Green Key Initiative Re-Appraisal Report³ the Snowdonia Green Key Partnership, amongst other things, has undertaken to consult further with regard to the provision of parking facilities⁴. Conwy County Borough Council has also resolved that .... a study to evaluate the quantum of parking needed to be commissioned, both in the core area and settlements, and the most appropriate locations for such facilities ...⁵(Our italics).

Following correspondence with the Welsh Assembly Government Freedom to Choose - Snowdonia has now written to the Snowdonia National Park drawing attention to the following points which we maintain, are in the public interest and are not catered for throughout the entire length of the improvements.
1	Safety - enabling vehicles to pull off the road in case of emergencies.
2	Alighting places for public transport.
3	Access points for public footpaths.
4	Amenity areas for both local residents and visitors
5	To encourage links between different modes of transport within the Park.
It has also become apparent during site visits that a number of existing places where vehicles can temporarily seek refuge will be subsumed by the new carriageway.
Freedom to Choose - Snowdonia has identified several sections of redundant carriageway along this section of the A470 which we strongly recommend be retained. National Grid references are given below for these sections which are also shown on the map.

Number on Map	Grid Reference	Comment
1	791 540	Amenity Access footpath to Betws y Coed, Forest and Giants Head Area.
2	780 538	Amenity Pont Gethin Access footpath to Llys Elsi
3	775 540	Access footpath to Rhiwddolion Amenity Pont Gethin
4	766 540	Amenity & Emergencies
5	765 541	Amenity & Emergencies Access to National Trust Property
6	766 540	Amenity & Emergencies Access to National Trust Property
7	759 539	Amenity & Emergencies Access to National Trust Property
8	753 538	Amentiy Access Sarn Helen
9	750 535	Playing field area, which we understand may be under consideration for an element of public use.

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References

1. Snowdonia Green Key, Strategy Statement - Consultation Draft. August 2001 by the Snowdonia Green Key Partnership.

2. Response to the proposals by Freedom to choose - Snowdonia, March 2002.

3. Snowdonia Green Key Initiative Re-Appraisal Report Stage 1 by RPS Planning, Transport and Environment, May 2002

4. Letter dated 16^th January 2003 from the Snowdonia Green Key Partnership Project Officer to Freedom to choose - Snowdonia and other organisations which includes the statement that the partnership will:
“continue and extend the discussion regarding parking within the northern Snowdonia area - between user groups, communities, business and other relevant organisations.”

5. Minutes of the Conwy County Borough Council JOINT MEETING OF TRANSPORT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT POLICY PANELS, 23 July 2002 Resolution (a) (iv).

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