Snowdonia Green Key Proposals

Q. Dear Sir Madam

I was a little concerned recently on a walk in Snowdonia to come across a notice publicising the Snowdonia National Park's proposal for a green key set up in the park which will effectively close all road side parking and mean access will be from two park and ride sites at Llanrwst and Llanberis.

This will mean reduced access and freedom to roam throughout the Snowdonia Massiff and reduce people's enjoyment of the area. It will also have huge knock-on effects to the smaller villages of the area and to businesses as a whole.

It may be interesting to find your readers' views on the proposal and see the extent to which such a proposal would reduce people numbers visiting the park.

Regards Dr Paul Speake

A. I am outraged and incenced by these mindless and destructive proposals.

Two Park and Ride points, in an area of 200 square miles?

What provision is there for people who want to walk over areas not served by this fiasco?

Is it the intention of the National Park to seal off every mountain except the few that it chooses to send buses too?

And what times and frequencies would the buses run?

Will there be one leaving at 6:00am for the long-distance walkers?

Is there a guarantee that there will ALWAYS be a bus waiting to take you back to the car park, no matter how long you are held up on the mountains by bad weather or tiredness?

The concept is totally ludicrous, and will only serve to inhibit all but the most casual walkers from visiting Snowdonia - with consequent loss of trade to the local industries.

The National Park committee needs to be reminded that it - and Snowdonia - needs the visitors to finance its existence. And before these complacent committee members suggest that people will keep on coming to Snowdonia no matter what, let us remind them that the Lake District is far more attractive - and far more welcoming!

Ron Linton

A. On this subject we recently came across the following Press Release

Green Key Executive Group Press release 30/4/01:

Valuable and highly constructive Consultation

Extensive consultation in Snowdonia and beyond has produced constructive ideas on ways in which tourism and public transport should be developed in the area.

Over the past months the Snowdonia Green Key Initiative has held seven public meetings in the area and a draft strategy, which suggested ways of integrating the tourism industry with the local economy, has been circulated widely.

The response to the consultation has been phenomenal- thousands of letters and e-mails have been received and the public meetings were all very well attended.

There was agreement that Snowdonia is an outstanding and unique place and must be managed with care and understanding, and many practical suggestions were made on how to improve economic returns from tourism to local businesses and the community in general.

As a result of the overwhelming amount of reaction in relation to one particular aspect of the scheme, the Park and Ride element, the Partnership will reconsider it's proposals and produce revised plans with the assistance of consultants and with the full co-operation and contribution of local people and interest parties.

"From now on, this Initiative, if it is to succeed in its purpose must be developed with the co-operation and active support of the local community and in close consultation with all interested parties", said Coun. Dafydd Iwan, speaking as Chairman of the Snowdonia Green Key Executive Group.

Coun. Iwan noted that the whole reasoning behind the scheme had to some extent been lost due to the feedback on the park-and-ride element: "We would like to set the record straight - the SGKI was never intended as a compulsory park-and-ride scheme.

It's primary aim is to develop the great potential of Snowdonia in a long-term and sustainable way, so as to strengthen the local economy, and improve the quality of life both for local communities and all the varied users of the area's facilities.

Snowdonia Green Key, a partnership of Gwynedd Council, Conwy County Borough Council, Snowdonia National Park Authority, Countryside Council for Wales, Welsh Development Agency and Wales Tourist Board, wishes to thank everyone who took part in this successful consultation process, and to reassure them that their comments and constructive ideas have been taken on board.

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