Latest news with #EryriNationalParkAuthority
Powys County Times
30-06-2025
- Automotive
- Powys County Times
Facilities at visitor hotspots at Bala set for upgrades
National park planners have agreed two separate proposals to upgrade the facilities and security at two separate sites beside an Eryri beauty spot. The schemes both concern well-used car parking and toilet areas on opposite shores of Llyn Tegid - or Bala Lake - in Gwynedd. The Eryri National Park Authority [ENPA] planning and access committee approved the applications with conditions, including pollution prevention advisories, at its meeting on Wednesday, June 25. The first application concerned the ENPA warden centre and car park, on the northern shore of Llyn Tegid, close to Bala town. They will see grey timber cladding and solar panels added to the two-storey warden building, which included toilets above, and a boat rental and watersports business below. Car park recognition 'ANPR' cameras, plus CCTV and a new entrance gate, would also be included. Revised plans would also see more cameras also attached to two sides of a small stone building near the entrance. The large, 1.2 hectare site was described as 'a very popular stopping place for visitors to access Llyn Tegid '. The plans said the work was considered to be 'non-intrusive' nor harmful to any species or site. The second application concerned the Llangower car park on the eastern shore, on a long strip of land, where there were also toilets. The plans would see the removal and upgrade of the existing toilets, installation of cladding, renewal work and creation of further car parking spaces, the installation of ANPR and CCTV cameras, and a new gate. The car park is on a 0.4h acre site, between the B4403 and the heritage railway – Rheilfordd Llyn Tegid – or Bala Lake Railway. The Llangower stop is accessed from the car park. Plans noted that the parking area was 'generally unregulated, with no marked parking bays, and with a tarmac track. It was also popular with visitors'. The meeting heard that the work could see the park capacity increase from around 60 to 90 spaces by marking out specific bays. They would be surfaced with "porous interlocking demarcated blocks". Following a public consultation no objections had been received for both the applications. Brian Angell, a committee member appointed by the Welsh Government, called for advisory notes to be attached, over measures to prevent any pollution issues. Planning case officer Richard Thomas told the meeting pollution pathways had been identified for Llyn Tegid, but a habitats regulation assessment had been carried out. 'They found that if developers or the authority employed pollution prevention measures during construction, those pathways could be secured and no pollution would ensue to Llyn Tegid,' he said.
BBC News
30-06-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
More parking and toilet upgrades at Llyn Tegid near Bala
Plans to increase parking capacity, enhance security and upgrade toilet facilities at a popular lake have been applications to improve a warden centre and car park on the north shore of Llyn Tegid near Bala, Gwynedd, and another car park on the east shore were approved by Eryri National Park Authority on bays will be marked out on the Llangower car park, on the eastern shore of the lake, to increase capacity from about 60 to 90 spaces, while automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras will be added at both were no objections to the plans, although conditions were applied to avoid polluting the lake during construction. On the north shore, the application concerned a car park and warden centre and called for permission to install solar panels, grey timber cladding and insulation on the two-storey warden well as the introduction of ANPR cameras, the scheme would also see CCTV and a new entrance gate Llangower, the plans would see the removal and upgrade of the existing toilets, more parking spaces, and installation of cladding, as well as security cameras and a new case officer Richard Thomas said any risk of pollution to the lake could be mitigated by the use of pollution prevention measures during were no objections to both the proposals. This article was written by a trusted journalist and then edited for length and style with the help of AI, before being checked again by a BBC Journalist. It's part of a pilot.
North Wales Live
27-06-2025
- North Wales Live
Facilities upgrade at popular Eryri beauty spot gets green light
National park planners have agreed two separate proposals to upgrade the facilities and security at two separate sites beside an Eryri beauty spot. The schemes both concern well used car parking and toilet areas on opposite shores of Llyn Tegid near Bala in Gwynedd. The Eryri National Park Authority [ENPA] planning and access committee approved the applications with conditions, including pollution prevention advisories, at its meeting on Wednesday, June 25. Debate over the use of materials was queried during the committee's discussion, with questions asked over pollution risks of work at the waterside sites. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday But the meeting heard that although "pollution pathways" had been identified, any potential risk could be mitigated by use of pollution prevention measures employed during construction. The first application concerned the ENPA warden centre and car park, on the northern shore of Llyn Tegid, close to Bala. The plans called for permission to insulate and affix grey timber cladding and solar panels to the two-storey warden building, which included toilets above, and a boat rental and watersports business below. The scheme would see the installation of car park recognition 'ANPR' cameras, as well as CCTV and a new entrance gate. Revised plans would also see more cameras also attached to two sides of a small stone building near the entrance. The large, 1.2 hectare site was described as "a very popular stopping place for visitors to access Llyn Tegid". The plans said the work was considered to be "non-intrusive" nor harmful to any species or site. The second application concerned the Llangower carpark on the eastern shore of the lake, on a long strip of land, and where there were also toilet facilities. The plans would see the removal and upgrade of the existing toilets, installation of cladding, renewal work and creation of further car parking spaces, the installation of ANPR and CCTV cameras, and also a new gate. The car park is on a 0.4h acre site, between the B4403 and the heritage railway - Rheilfordd Llyn Tegid - or Bala Lake Railway. The Llangower stop is accessed from the car park. Plans noted that the parking area was "generally unregulated, with no marked parking bays, and with a tarmac track. It was also popular with visitors". The meeting heard that the work could see the park capacity increase from around 60 to 90 spaces by marking out specific bays. They would be surfaced with porous interlocking demarcated blocks. This was "a more efficient use of the land," a report said, and it was hoped to help boost income for the national park. The plans would also see internal upgrades to the toilet, and the external timber cladding would "improve maintenance costs and longevity of the building". Cameras would also be installed on poles. The application noted that "careful consideration was afforded for use of appropriate materials to ensure they were compatible with the setting of this relatively remote but well used car parking facility". Following a public consultation no objections had been received for both the applications. Brian Angell, a committee member appointed by the Welsh Government, had queried the types of timber used, if it was native or local, how it was sourced, if it would be tanalised and how chemicals would be handled. He called for advisory notes to be attached, over measures to prevent any pollution issues. Planning case officer Richard Thomas told the meeting pollution pathways had been identified for Llyn Tegid, but an HRA (habitats regulation assessment) had been carried out. "They found that if developers or the authority employed pollution prevention measures during construction, those pathways could be secured and no pollution would ensue to Llyn Tegid," he said.
The Independent
14-04-2025
- The Independent
Snowdonia issues plea to visitors to avoid Easter chaos
Visitors to one of Wales ' most popular national parks have been warned to pre-book parking to prevent car chaos this Easter. The Eryri National Park, also known as Snowdonia National Park, has encouraged travellers to plan ahead to avoid emergencies on the mountain. As one of the UK 's most popular peaks, Snowdon, also known as Yr Wyddfa, expects to host thousands of hikers over the Easter holidays. According to the Eryri National Park Authority, the increase in footfall will put immense pressure on mountain rescue services and local infrastructure. Visitors headed for popular start point Pen y Pass have been specifically told to pre-book parking. Pre-booking is available from now until 2 November, with prices starting at £20 for an eight-hour slot. Full-day slots rise to £40 per vehicle, and bookings must be made at least one hour in advance. Car parks by Nant Gwynant and Llanberis are also likely to 'fill up early', with the national park warning visitors not to park illegally and cause access issues for residents and emergency services. In Easter 2023, almost 40 vehicles parked 'dangerously' in the area were towed away by police. North Wales Police said 29 vehicles parked dangerously on narrow mountain roads near Llyn Ogwen and nine in Pen y Pass at the bottom of Snowdon were taken away on Good Friday. Chief Inspector Steve Pawson of North Wales Police said: 'We all have an individual and collective responsibility to take additional care if heading up Yr Wyddfa or any other mountain in Eryri. People need to remember that our fantastic mountain rescue teams are volunteers – who regularly put themselves in danger to rescue others.' He added: 'Planning on where you will park is also an important factor as we don't want to witness dangerous or irresponsible parking like we have seen in years gone by. There are fantastic park and ride facilities and public transport links, please make full use of them and plan ahead.' The Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team said it has already seen the highest number of call-outs on record, with more than 60 so far this year. Gruff Owen, chair of Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team, said: 'Easter is a particularly challenging time for our dedicated volunteers, especially in recent years where we're increasingly having to respond to several serious incidents at the same time. 'During the holiday periods, walkers and climbers should be aware that we could already be committed to rescues elsewhere on the mountain and that injured casualties may have to wait longer than usual for a response.' The volunteer-led service told prospective visitors to choose appropriate routes based on their fitness and experience and turn back if 'conditions worsen or energy levels drop'. All visitors are also being urged to follow AdventureSmart guidance by asking themselves if they have the skills and right gear and are aware of the weather the day they hike. Angela Jones, Eryri National Park Authority's head of partnerships, said: 'Eryri is here for everyone to enjoy, but enjoyment must go hand in hand with responsibility. Planning ahead, respecting the landscape, and making safe choices ensures this special place remains protected.'
BBC News
13-04-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Wellingborough carers hike up Snowdon for dementia choir
Care home staff who scaled Snowdon in treacherous weather have raised almost £4,000 for a local dementia choir.A team of 10 from Glenvale Park in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, were hiking up the mountain when conditions took a dramatic abandoned the final push for the 1,085m (3,560ft) summit after visibility reduced, the temperature dropped and winds whipped around them at manager Carley Calder said she had to remind herself of the good work by the charity Dementia Sings Out, which helps her residents. "I had a last bit of wind and thought I have to get up here," she said. Ms Calder was among four who continued, as they were "so close to the summit", but others considered it was too dangerous for group included family members and a charity or Yr Wyddfa, is a "challenging" hike, according to the Eryri National Park Authority, which advises visitors to be well prepared as the weather can often change without climber Louise Clarke, the home's lifestyle manager, had helped organise the trip on 29 March and was among those who bowed out."I had kept an eye on the weather, and it said it was going to turn at 16:00, but it came in much earlier, at 11:00," she explained."Suddenly we couldn't see where we were going. "The cloud came in, from above and below, visibility had gone, the wind picked up, we all got blown over, then it started snowing and hailing, it was -10C with wind chill."It was terrifying."But when we got to accommodation and had a few hours to let it all sink in, we were really proud of ourselves."The team raised £3,936 for Dementia Sings Out, which runs a free choir session at Compass Church, off Finedon Road, each week. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
