02 April 2024 , 14:59
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Police were spotted towing away visitor’s cars in the mountains of North Wales after a busy Easter weekend saw dozens of people park illegally at a popular natural beauty spot
Dozens of illegally parked cars have been towed away at a beauty spot after they were found to be parking illegally.
Despite clear warning signs across the Eyri (Snowdonia) National Park in Wales, vehicles were spotted parking up illegally on the side of the road on the A5 in the Ogwen Valley and Pen-y-Pass over the bank holiday weekend. Police and tow trucks turn up to remove some of the parked cars - with rule-breaking owners returning from their walks to find their vehicle had disappeared.
Local opinion has been divided since images of the scene at Ogwen Valley were posted on Facebook by Cymuned Mynydd Eryri/Snowdonia Mountain Community on Sunday. Some criticised the drivers for ignoring the rules - while others singled out the authorities for not providing enough parking space in the area.
Explaining why they took action, a spokesperson North Wales Police said: "Irresponsible parking not only endangers pedestrians, cyclists and other road users but also prevents emergency vehicle access. We have previously witnessed pedestrians with young children, having to walk in the road in areas such as Llyn Ogwen and Pen-y-Pass because of the selfish actions of a minority this is clearly unacceptable."
But some people think the authorities should take responsibility, reports North Wales Live. One man commented on the parking situation in Snowdonia, saying: "Well, what can you expect? The car parking is inadequate and too expensive. Plus it’s more popular than ever. The local council need to do something. It’s no good just issuing fines and towing cars."
Cars were towed and fines were issued over the Easter break ( Image: Cymuned Mynydd Eryri - Snowdonia Mountain Community)
Another person who lives in the area said: "I live in Snowdonia and have walked and climbed here all my life, and there has been no progress made in providing enough parking for a growing number of those wanting to come here, car parks could be made to blend in, and if the infrastructure was tourist friendly, not let’s tax and tax the tourist with none of that money going back into the local economy, just saying as I live here in the real world as well."
Meanwhile another local resident added: "Is there a different solution? Personally I think it’s great that so many people want to walk now compared to pre-Covid. Surely we should be more accommodating instead of putting fines on cars or towing away vehicles Should we not build car parks to accommodate rather than prosecute. Just my opinion."
However, one local woman suggested there was plenty of options for drivers in the area, and said: "There’s park and ride and a camp site that takes cars for £5 a day opposite the park and ride and Sherpa bus £3 return or something like that from Nant Peris. Unless doing a night walk when services unavailable there’s no excuse for this and at that time there’s spaces in the nearby layby parking. When the buses go through it’s tight enough on the road there."
Another resident said offenders should be taught rather than punished, and said: "Ideally, every action should be made to direct people to the car parks. There could be large signs on the approach to the area. If the tow trucks were visible and there early, that would put people off. Also, they could put signs up where the illegal parking occurs displaying the cost and process of retrieving their car vs the cost and location of the park and ride service. Education vs punishment."