Eryri National Park Authority could pause restrictions on overnight parking it imposed at 11 of its car parks only two months ago – although the U-turn seems mainly to appease night sky watchers and those who like to park at sunrise and sunset.
Back in April, the national park, also known as Snowdonia, introduced restrictions on parking at nine car parks between 22:01 and 02:59, with two other car parks – Llyn Tegid and Llangywer – having lengthier restrictions between 22:01 and 05:59.
Now, in a report due to go before the park authority’s AGM, officers are recommending that restrictions on the nine car parks should be lifted at Eryri National Park, while restrictions on Llyn Tegid and Llangywer should be shortened to just two hours between 01:00 and 03:00 for a trial period lasting a year.
Officers say they have concluded that “it is important to consider the enjoyment of the national park for many users who go out to see the sunrise/sunset or to enjoy the dark night skies in Eryri”.
They say some restrictions could remain in place at Llyn Tegid and Llangywer, because nighttime parking use at those two locations “is not considered essential to the general enjoyment of the national park”, and because both these locations have experienced problems in the past with overnight camping.
Officers add, however, that the issue of overnight camping in all 11 car parks remains contentious. So they propose to have further dialogue with national park users, assist with the costs and benefits of employing night-time enforcement officers, and look at medium-term solutions such as developing aires or providing better infrastructure, such as bins and toilets.
In other news, a Scottish council has approved a scheme to permit overnight motorhome parking along the seafront in Largs. The plan would see space for 20 motorhomes or campervans, complete with water, electricity, and sewage disposal, for an as yet unconfirmed charge.
Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto
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