Latest news with #Porthmadog
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Yahoo
Parking warning at beach after vehicles submerged
People are being urged to park carefully and "treat the sea and coastline with respect" after three vehicles were caught out by the tide just days apart at the same beach. A campervan left at Traeth y Greigddu, also known as Black Rock Sands, near Porthmadog was submerged on Friday 13 June, while another was rescued just in time on Sunday 8 June. A VW Beetle was also swamped by the tide on Saturday 14 June. While parking is allowed at the beach, Cyngor Gwynedd has urged beachgoers to check tide times and avoid parking below the high tide line, warning that stuck vehicles may incur recovery costs. Beach parking warning after two vehicles submerged Stuck-in-mud driver 'ignored' beach warning signs More than 100 people cut off by tide on beach Drivers pay £8 to park their cars at Traeth y Greigddu and £16 for caravans, but some still venture into restricted soft sand areas despite clear warnings. Kevin Gibson, who lives in Morfa Bychan and walks the beach daily with his dogs, said he had seen about six vehicles stuck in the sand so far this year. He believes many tourists underestimate how fast the tide moves and ignore the council's warning signs. While recovery companies usually retrieve the stranded vehicles the following day, locals sometimes attempt to help, Mr Gibson added. On the evening of Saturday 14 June he received a call from a woman whose VW Beetle was stuck, but as he no longer does vehicle recoveries he advised her to contact the council using the details on the beach entrance signs. "She said she was staying at a local campsite and didn't really know the area," he said. "This is the third time in a week here. "I do feel sorry for them - these are often expensive vehicles, and I'm not sure what the situation is with insurance in these cases," he added. Dillon Green, from Liverpool, has had a caravan near Morfa Bychan beach for five years. He also runs a recovery company and said he often received calls from stressed drivers who have spotted his truck and contact details when he visits his caravan each weekend. Mr Green said: "I've been going there for five years in a recovery truck and never got stuck myself so I don't understand how people do it. "I have definitely seen a rise in the amount of cars getting stuck. "It's almost every weekend." Mr Green said even if people were stuck at the top of the beach it is usually not a problem, but down at the bottom the tide comes in fast and can trap vehicles quickly. "People often panic and make it worse by accelerating, which just digs the wheels in deeper," he added. Most of the time Mr Green said he could pull them out with the winch, but if the tide gets them, the car is "usually ruined". A spokesperson for Cyngor Gwynedd, which manages the beach, said while the council welcomed everyone to its "beautiful" beaches and coastal areas, it wants "everyone to enjoy themselves safely". Visitors are urged to check the weather forecast, tide times, and to "treat the sea and coastline with respect". Motorists should avoid parking below the high tide line and remain alert to changing conditions, the council added. Despite "multiple signs" warning of potential dangers and vehicle restrictions, the local authority said some drivers still become stuck in soft sand or rising tides, often after ignoring advice. The spokesperson said: "Where possible, during staffed hours, council officers will endeavour to recover any vehicles that get into such difficulties. "However, in some cases it may be necessary to seek assistance from a third-party contractor, for which the driver or owner of the vehicle would be responsible for the associated costs. "Beach wardens will be on duty daily from 27 June to 6 September, and the beach barrier will close at 8pm each evening to "prevent vehicles gaining access to the beach."
BBC News
21-06-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Black Rock Sands parking warning at beach after vehicles submerged
People are being urged to park carefully and "treat the sea and coastline with respect" after three vehicles were caught out by the tide just days apart at the same beach. A campervan left at Traeth y Greigddu, also known as Black Rock Sands, near Porthmadog was submerged on Friday 13 June, while another was rescued just in time on Sunday 8 June. A VW Beetle was also swamped by the tide on Saturday 14 June. While parking is allowed at the beach, Cyngor Gwynedd has urged beachgoers to check tide times and avoid parking below the high tide line, warning that stuck vehicles may incur recovery costs. Drivers pay £8 to park their cars at Traeth y Greigddu and £16 for caravans, but some still venture into restricted soft sand areas despite clear Gibson, who lives in Morfa Bychan and walks the beach daily with his dogs, said he had seen about six vehicles stuck in the sand so far this believes many tourists underestimate how fast the tide moves and ignore the council's warning recovery companies usually retrieve the stranded vehicles the following day, locals sometimes attempt to help, Mr Gibson added. On the evening of Saturday 14 June he received a call from a woman whose VW Beetle was stuck, but as he no longer does vehicle recoveries he advised her to contact the council using the details on the beach entrance signs."She said she was staying at a local campsite and didn't really know the area," he said."This is the third time in a week here. "I do feel sorry for them - these are often expensive vehicles, and I'm not sure what the situation is with insurance in these cases," he added. Dillon Green, from Liverpool, has had a caravan near Morfa Bychan beach for five years. He also runs a recovery company and said he often received calls from stressed drivers who have spotted his truck and contact details when he visits his caravan each Green said: "I've been going there for five years in a recovery truck and never got stuck myself so I don't understand how people do it."I have definitely seen a rise in the amount of cars getting stuck."It's almost every weekend." Mr Green said even if people were stuck at the top of the beach it is usually not a problem, but down at the bottom the tide comes in fast and can trap vehicles quickly. "People often panic and make it worse by accelerating, which just digs the wheels in deeper," he added. Most of the time Mr Green said he could pull them out with the winch, but if the tide gets them, the car is "usually ruined". A spokesperson for Cyngor Gwynedd, which manages the beach, said while the council welcomed everyone to its "beautiful" beaches and coastal areas, it wants "everyone to enjoy themselves safely".Visitors are urged to check the weather forecast, tide times, and to "treat the sea and coastline with respect".Motorists should avoid parking below the high tide line and remain alert to changing conditions, the council "multiple signs" warning of potential dangers and vehicle restrictions, the local authority said some drivers still become stuck in soft sand or rising tides, often after ignoring advice. The spokesperson said: "Where possible, during staffed hours, council officers will endeavour to recover any vehicles that get into such difficulties. "However, in some cases it may be necessary to seek assistance from a third-party contractor, for which the driver or owner of the vehicle would be responsible for the associated costs."Beach wardens will be on duty daily from 27 June to 6 September, and the beach barrier will close at 8pm each evening to "prevent vehicles gaining access to the beach."
Daily Mail
17-06-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Two camper vans and a VW Beetle are submerged by the sea after owners 'ignored warnings of fast tide'
Two camper vans and a VW Beetle were sumberged by vicious waves on a Welsh beach after their owners 'ignored warnings of a fast tide'. The vehicles suffered the same fate within days of each other at scenic Black Rock Sands near Porthmadog. A VW camper van was swamped on June 8 after being parked on the sand, while another campervan also succumbed to the water on Friday 13. One day later, a white convertible beetle was also soaked - though it reappeared the next morning. Black Rock Sands is one of the few beaches in north Wales where cars are allowed to drive, but its gentle shelf means the tide comes in fast. Waterlogged sand quickly traps vehicles leaving little chance of escape, without help. Local Kevin Gibson said he had seen many drivers often get caught out: 'It's one of the very few beaches which you can drive on. It's very popular. People don't take notice.' 'When they drive on the beach they are warned not to drive past warning signs of soft sand and fast tide. 'Unfortunately we are seeing cars get caught out all too often as the warnings are ignored. I do feel sorry for the people, it is shame for them.' Kevin Wardlaw, who spotted the campervan, said: 'I can see how easy it could be for people to get caught out, but there are signs there.'
Daily Mail
16-06-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Two camper vans and a VW Beetle are submerged by the waves on Welsh beach within days of each other after owners 'ignored warnings of fast tide'
Two camper vans and a VW Beetle were sumberged by vicious waves on a Welsh beach after their owners 'ignored warnings of a fast tide'. The vehicles suffered the same fate within days of each other at scenic Black Rock Sands near Porthmadog - sending tens of thousands of pounds down the drain. A VW camper van was swamped on June 8 after being parked on the sand while another campervan also succumbed to the water on Friday 13. One day later, a white convertible beetle was also soaked - though it reappeared the next morning. Black Rock Sands is one of the few beaches in north Wales where cars are allowed to drive but its gentle shelf means the tide comes in fast. Waterlogged sand quickly traps vehicles leaving little chance of escape, without help. Local Kevin Gibson said he had seen many drivers often get caught out. He explained: 'The local council charges people £8.00 to park cars. 'It's one of the very few beaches which you can drive on. 'It's very popular. 'People don't take notice. 'When they drive on the beach they are warned not to drive past warning signs of soft sand and fast tide. 'Unfortunately we are seeing cars get caught out all too often as the warnings are ignored. 'I do feel sorry for the people, it is shame for them.' Kevin Wardlaw, who spotted the campervan, said: 'I can see how easy it could be for people to get caught out, but there are signs there.'
Telegraph
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Telegraph
Pictured: Drivers caught out by high tides at Welsh beauty spot
Expensive cars and campervans are getting wrecked at a beauty spot on the Welsh coast as the tide catches out drivers. Motorists are repeatedly running into trouble at Traeth y Greigddu, or Black Rock Sands, in North Wales where they are allowed to park on the sand. Cars are routinely submerged in the sand and vulnerable to being swept out to sea by fast-flowing waters. Five vehicles were trapped by the rising waters in April after parking on the shore, including a new Mercedes coupé and an Audi. Council officials have warned drivers against leaving their cars on the beach at Morfa Bychan, a village near the resort town of Porthmadog in Gwynedd, after saying their officers were unable to rescue every trapped vehicle. A Gwynedd council spokesman said: 'Where possible, during staffed hours, council officers will endeavour to recover any vehicles that get into such difficulties. 'However, in some cases it may be necessary to seek assistance from a third-party contractor, for which the driver or owner of the vehicle would be responsible for the associated costs. 'We welcome everyone who wishes to spend time on our beautiful beaches and coastal areas. However, we want everyone to enjoy themselves safely.' The spokesman reminded visitors to Traeth y Greigddu to check the weather forecast and tide times before parking on the sand, and 'to treat the sea and coastline with respect'. Gwynedd council advised drivers to park above the high-water mark and not to leave their cars unattended. 'Multiple signs are positioned along the beach at Morfa Bychan to warn users of the potential dangers and to indicate areas of the beach where vehicles are prohibited from accessing,' the council said in a statement. 'On occasion, the vehicles of those who have not heeded the warning signs can become trapped on the beach due to soft sand, having driven onto the sand banks, or because they have parked below the high-tide line.' The beach was used as a backdrop for the Manic Street Preachers ' 1998 album cover This Is My Truth, Tell Me Yours.
