Agenda item

In accordance with the Notice of Motion received under Section 4.20 of the Constitution, Councillor Glyn Daniels will propose as follows:-

“I propose that Gwynedd Council, in collaboration with Snowdonia National Park, urgently investigates the possibility of charging tourists who visit parts of the Park, particularly on and around Snowdon itself.

I believe this would be advantageous in more than one way.

1. Charging a considerable fee for visiting the summit of Snowdon could boost the coffers of Gwynedd Council and the Park at a time when we are facing financial uncertainty owing to the side-effects of Covid 19.

2. Consequently, there is room to believe that such steps could contribute to reducing the serious problems of excess cars causing traffic jams and hazards on the region's roads.”

That Gwynedd Council, in collaboration with Snowdonia National Park, urgently investigates the possibility of charging tourists who visit parts of the Park, particularly on and around Snowdon itself.

Submitted – the following notice of motion by Councillor Glyn Daniels, in accordance with Section 4.20 of the Constitution and it was seconded:

That Gwynedd Council, in collaboration with Snowdonia National Park, urgently investigates the possibility of charging tourists who visit parts of the Park, particularly on and around Snowdon itself.

I believe this would be advantageous in more than one way:

a) Charging a considerable fee for visiting the summit of Snowdon could boost the coffers of Gwynedd Council and the Park at a time when we are facing financial uncertainty owing to the side-effects of Covid-19.

b) Consequently, there is room to believe that such steps could contribute to reducing the serious problems of excess cars causing traffic jams and hazards on the region's roads.

During the discussion on the motion, it was noted:

·         It was agreed that a discussion was required with the National Park, but there was a need to be clearer in terms of what was meant by a 'considerable fee'.

·         The tourism industry was important to Gwynedd, but there was a desire to see the county benefiting from sustainable tourism, with those people visiting the area showing respect to the local environment and community.

·         The motion was very timely and it was important to address this urgently, by holding a joint meeting with the National Park as soon as possible with the aim of having a fee charging system in operation by the 2021 season.

·         Gwynedd had wonderful natural assets but communities were not benefiting fully from them at present.

·         It was important to ensure sufficient parking provision, while giving consideration to creating a network of car parks in our communities. It was suggested that consideration could be given to the creation of a park and ride facility in Glyn Rhonwy, offering a free pass to Llanberis residents.

·         Technology such as Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and the Council's new sensor system could be used to monitor and manage parking in the area. Technology such as an advance registration system could also be used to visit the Snowdon area, with local people paying a smaller fee or being granted access for free.

·         This was a problem that had become apparent across Gwynedd and Snowdon was a classic example of over-tourism.

·         The Council had received many calls to respond to the situation, e.g. Llanllyfni Community Council and others had called on Gwynedd Council to arrange a conference to discuss this. Although it was difficult in light of the pandemic, it was intended to arrange a virtual event in due course.

·         It was not legal to charge a fee to use public footpaths but the call to examine this further was welcomed.

·         A report commissioned by the National Park on transport around Snowdon mentioned some great ideas, but there was a need to widen the discussion to include the whole of Gwynedd.

·         A piece of work had been completed to examine examples of how other areas across this country, and in Europe, dealt with over-tourism, and to consider how to re-set tourism after the pandemic crisis in a way that supported the county's communities.

·         It was important for any fee charging system to be enforced correctly. Should a fee be charged for walking up Snowdon, a number of questions arose such as where exactly the money would be collected? In terms of the main routes, turnstiles could be installed and young people employed to collect the money; however, not everyone followed the main routes, with some ramblers going cross-country. Another option would be to collect the money on the summit of Snowdon.

·         The money collected could be used to create jobs locally.

·         A cost was associated with tourism, such as the cost of clearing up litter after the visitors. The Council was required to provide these services but, ultimately, Gwynedd residents paid for them. Also, as the Sherpa service was subsidised, Gwynedd taxpayers were currently paying for visitors to go up Snowdon.

·         The research was welcomed and it was greatly hoped that benefit could be brought to our residents and local environment from this.

RESOLVED to adopt the motion, namely:

That Gwynedd Council, in collaboration with Snowdonia National Park, urgently investigates the possibility of charging tourists who visit parts of the Park, particularly on and around Snowdon itself.