Eryri National Park Reverses Overnight Parking Ban at Nine Car Parks After Public Backlash
Eryri National Park Authority (ENPA) has reinstated overnight parking at nine of its car parks, just two months after a ban was imposed on 1 April. The initial restriction, which covered 11 sites, aimed to curb issues such as litter and anti-social behaviour across the park.
However, the policy met with significant opposition from both residents and visitors. Richard Edwards, proprietor of the Courthouse guesthouse in Betws-y-Coed, Conwy, reported a notable escalation in problems since the ban. He cited an increase in camper vans parking on his street and individuals using private gardens as lavatories, exacerbating pre-existing nuisances.
Authority Accepts Recommendation to Lift Restrictions
The ENPA’s annual general meeting saw members endorse a recommendation to lift the restriction, pending further consultation. The park, known to many as Snowdonia, attracts nearly four million visitors annually, with many undertaking early morning ascents of Yr Wyddfa, its highest peak, to witness the sunrise.
The chief executive’s report to the ENPA board acknowledged the necessity to “pause the revision of car park operational hours on most of our sites to fully consider the consequences for users”. The report also highlighted ongoing issues associated with overnight camping, including waste and anti-social behaviour, alongside the argument that such practices undermine existing legitimate caravan and camping sites.
While the ban is lifted for most sites, the authority approved a pilot scheme introducing revised parking restrictions at Llyn Tegid and Llangywer between 01:00 and 03:00. This measure is based on the assessment that night-time parking at these specific locations is not “essential to the general enjoyment of the national park”.
Further consultations are slated to continue with various organisations and park users, with a comprehensive review anticipated by the end of the year or in early 2027. A paper detailing proposals is expected in September, with a follow-up report on the Llyn Tegid car park restrictions due on 9 December.
Local business owner Andy Jones, who runs the outdoor mountaineering firm Seren Ventures, warned that the initial ban risked deterring tourists. He advocated for collaborative solutions, such as developing dedicated motorhome areas, rather than outright prohibitions, to manage the growing issue of unauthorised overnight parking effectively.
