National park could pause overnight parking ban targeting sunrise chasers

A ban on overnight parking at 11 different car parks in Wales' biggest national park should be "paused" in at least nine of the sites, a new report says.

Eryri National Park Authority (ENPA) has restricted overnight parking at the car parks since 1 April, to try and address problems like litter and anti-social behaviour.

But concerns over the ban have been raised by both locals and visitors, who questioned the impact the clampdown might have on vehicles parking overnight in other areas.

A report to be discussed by the national park authority later this month said the issue was "not straightforward", and has recommended pausing the plans at most of the sites.

Nearly four million people visit Eryri National Park, also known as Snowdonia, each year. Many begin the hike up to its highest peak - Yr Wyddfa - during the early hours of the morning to reach the top by sunrise.

In April, local people told the BBC they feared the ban would encourage parking in residential streets, while a local guide feared an impact on her business.

Ahead of the ENPA's annual general meeting on June 10, a report by the chief executive concluded it was "necessary to pause the revision of car park operational hours on most of our sites to fully consider the consequences for users".

It added that issues from overnight camping included those related to litter, waste and anti-social behaviour, as well as "not supporting existing legitimate caravan and camping sites operating in the local area".

"The authority is committed to finding a solution to this problem, although it is not straightforward," said the report, which is due to the discussed at the AGM.

Parking overnight is currently banned between 22:00 and 03:00 at nine of the sites, and between 22:00 and 06:00 at Llyn Tegid and Llangywer - the report recommended introducing parking restrictions at Llyn Tegid and Llangywer between 01:00 and 03:00 as part of a potential pilot scheme.

"The main reason for this is that night-time parking use at these car parks is not considered essential to the general enjoyment of the national park...the main use of these car parks is daytime access to Llyn Tegid and the surrounding area," it said.

The report says that extensive further consultations should be held "with various organisations and national park users" before the issue is considered again at the end of the year or in early 2027.

"It is unlikely there will be a single or quick solution, but we will ensure a joined approach and if a full solution cannot be found then further mitigation of the problem will be explored," the report concludes.