Gwynedd stopover scheme.

 

Gwynedd considers trialling stopover scheme

A Welsh council is proposing to carry out a trial campervan stopover scheme in five locations across the county

After securing funding from the Welsh government, Gwynedd is hoping to trial five motorhome and campervan stopover sites in a project titled ‘Arosfan’.

A planning application needs to be submitted, but there has been no update on the timescale; it is implied that there is a wish for the trial sites to be operational by the summer.

This project is a direct result of a report carried out on motorhomes and campervans in the county, which was presented to the council in late 2021. This report asked for input from local businesses and residents, as well as motorhomers and campervanners.

Each site will have space for up to nine motorhomes or campervans, staying for up to 48 hours. There is likely to be a fee and facilities will include fresh water supply, waste water emptying, recycling and rubbish bins. Campfires and barbecues will not be allowed.

Councillor Dafydd Meurig, Cyngor Gwynedd Cabinet Member for Environment, says,

The Arosfan project goes hand-in-hand with a wider campaign to clamp down on illegal overnight camping in specific hotspots where environmental problems – such as littering and worse – has been apparent.

Councillor Nia Jeffreys, Cyngor Gwynedd’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development, adds,

Since the Covid pandemic, we have seen an explosion in the number of people visiting in motorhomes and campervans, and the lack of suitable facilities has led to a number of environmental and social problems. So I warmly welcome these plans which will contribute towards our goal of a more sustainable tourism industry.

The five proposed locations will be:

• Shell car park, Caernarfon
• Y Glyn, Llanberis 
• Maes car park, Criccieth 
• North Quay, Pwllheli
• Promenade car park, Barmouth

All are within walking distance of towns or key destinations, and will encourage visitors to make use of public transport and local amenities. The council states that if the trials are successful, it hopes to develop further stopovers across the county.

SOURCE: MMM OUT AND ABOUT