A BEAUTY spot has been completely destroyed by tourists in caravans using it as a “free campsite” and pooing everywhere, say locals.
An upgrade to parking facilities on the edge of Eryri (Snowdonia) in North Wales has meant 114 more spaces and a separate aires-type ‘Arosfan’ for caravans.
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But residents say the improvement works undertaken by Gwynedd Council to bring “order and control” have backfired.
Three car parks were resurfaced opposite the area known as ‘the lagoons’ by Llyn Padarn in Llanberis in an effort to prevent the regular surges of visitors from overwhelming the spot.
However, pay machines are not yet activated and height barriers are only occasionally operated meaning the car parks have become a giant “campsite”, say critics.
A fortnight ago, 95 campervans were counted overnighting and, despite a ban, 32 tents, it is claimed.
The problem was only expected to get worse over the Bank Holiday.
As well as the struggle for parking, there are also concerns over littering, while volunteer rubbish collectors say they’ve been finding human faeces.
Nearby campsite owners between Llanberis and Caernarfon have complained the area is taking away potential customers from them, with lower-than-usual occupancy figures.
“This is ruining local family businesses!” fumed one owner, down 10 pitches last weekend, reports NorthWalesLive.
Residents insist they are not anti-tourist but they want the council to restore the “order” they were promised.
The authority says a security firm is set to return for the height of the summer to monitor the area on weekends and during school holidays.
The payment machines are also due to be up and running this week.
Eric Baylis, who helps run Pentref Taclus Llanberis Tidy Village, said the situation is “baffling”.
He said when the plans to rearrange the car parks were announced two years ago, 26 campervan spaces were proposed, but only eight have been provided.
He added that last summer a private security company was drafted in to operate the gates, which closed at 8pm before re-opening at midnight, and campervans “would nip in for the night”.
Fellow local John Horrigan said: “It’s horrendous. Van owners are setting up BBQs and putting up chairs and tables despite signs telling them not to.
“Once in place, they’re there for the weekend, and parking becomes a problem for everyone else.”
Snowdonia National Park
Mount Snowdon, or Yr Wyddfa, in Wales, attracts around half a million visitors each year.
The surrounding area has been compared to a bucket list destination in New Zealand because of its breathtaking views and hikes – but some climbers were less than impressed.
Snowdonia national park in Wales has been likened to Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park because of its mountain ranges and breathtaking views.
Between June and August, visitors flock to the national park in Wales. and in recent years, holidaymakers have taken to social media to share the comparison.
UK Hidden Gems posted a video on TikTok with the caption: “UK places that look like they’re in a different country.”
In the video, a picture of Snowdonia was placed next to a shot of New Zealand National Park.
As the two images were put side-by-side, several people in the comments couldn’t believe that one of the parks was in the UK.
TOILET ISSUES
Furious tourists took to TripAdvisor to share their horror stories with one of the main issues being the lack of toilets.
One American visitor, who travelled all the way from New York, said: “There are no lavatories for all those who climb up and trek back.
“People seem to relieve themselves out in the open giving a whiff of urine smell everywhere in this hillside.”
Others voiced the same complaint and someone else posted: “Every rock you go behind this smells of wee or has human excrement behind it.
“Walked behind a building at the top to find some poor woman taking a dump.
“Lots of visitors here so it’s building up into a veritable sewage fest.”
Another person added: “Lots of rubbish piled up and allowed to blow across the country.
“A real tragedy.”
Another horrified climber commented: “At the top we were greeted by the smell of sewage and literally hundred of people milling around.
“They had built a visitors center since I had last visited. It was disgusting.”
TOURISTS
During the Easter Bank Holiday, tourists saw their cars being towed by police after parking illegally at Snowdon.
Fights also allegedly broke out with the congestion caused by queues up the mountain.
Photos showed cars blocking pavements and trucks dragging vehicles out of the way.
North Wales Police said 29 vehicles parked near Llyn Ogwen and another nine in Pen y Pass at the bottom of Snowdon were removed on Good Friday.
Traffic Wales said the A5 was closed near Ogwen Cottage outdoor pursuits centre due to the huge amount of cars being towed.
Posting on X with a photo of vehicles on both sides of the mountain road, police said: “Please park responsibly on the roads and avoid obstructing emergency vehicles. Blocking their way could lead to serious consequences.
“Let’s be considerate of our fellow road users in need and make way for emergency services. Your cooperation can save lives!”
A fuming local then posted a TikTok video with the words: “Idiot tourists showing up in Snowdonia again! How some people get through life is beyond me.”
One TikToker shared further footage and said: “There is no allocated queue for Snowdon.
“People choose to queue of their own accord. There is no one telling you that you have to queue.
“People think it’s really against the rules to join an imaginary queue. It’s not Thorpe Park, it’s a mountain.”
He said last week a group of kids were brought by the National Watersports Centre but they couldn’t get on the car park.
John added he saw a tent recently “as big as a marquee” erected.
“In the old days, wild campers would pitch overnight, leave early and leave no trace. Now it’s different,” he said.
John is among the local volunteers who help collect litter but human faeces are left due to health concerns.
Another woman, writing online, said “it’s crazy” that locals will have to “pay to park in our own village” and another said the photos of the mess left behind by visitors are “embarrassing”.
The issues have led to calls for a complete motorhome ban by some.
Others argue it needs a 24/7 resident warden and to be run as a business to protect the area.
A council spokesperson said it is working with partners to encourage visitors to be “mindful and respectful” and to arrange accommodation at a licensed campsite.
They added that “significant work” has been carried out at the car park to “improve the look and feel” and to ensure better regulation.
And emphasised the pay-and-display machines will be ready for the “main holiday period”.
However, the spokesperson said the height barriers can’t be lowered at the entrance as it would completely prevent motorhomes “legitimately parking” for the day, as well as stopping vehicles with watercraft and other leisure equipment.
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A network of Arosfan sites, including at Llanberis, will become operational “once the final work” on the pay machines is completed, they added.
The Sun has approached the council for further comment.
