Following an enquiry from one of our Members, we asked NRW (Natural Resources Wales – which manages the Dinas Rock car park), NPTCBC (Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council – which manages the parking opposite the Angel Inn) and BBNPA (Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority – which manages Gwaun Hepste and Cwm Porth car parks) what they’re doing to coordinate parking issues in Waterfall Country. Here are there responses – which we hope will reassure providers that they’re all doing their best to manage what is at times a very difficult situation – but please note the final paragraph from BBNPA relating to expected pressure on parking over the coming bank holiday weekend.
NRW: “There is a Waterfall Country Partnership Group which meet twice annually which comprises primarily community councillors, local authorities, NRW and BBNPA during which we discuss various matters of which include parking issues in and around Waterfall Country.”
NPTCBC: “Like NRW, we’re very mindful of the sensitivities around Dinas Rock and the pressures it can experience.
“We’re currently in the process of delivering a new infrastructure project in the village of Pontneddfechan. This includes a new 136 space car park with construction due to complete in early summer. We are currently working on a solution to open the car park element of the development in readiness for the school holidays, possibly earlier. Once fully operational the car park will be pay and display, and charges will be directly in line with other car parks across Waterfall Country. This will provide a suitable, managed parking solution for visitors and help alleviate some of the existing pressures in the area.
“In terms of wider coordination, we do continue to work with partners across the area to support a more joined up approach to visitor management,. I hope that this provides some reassurance that there is a plan in place and that visitor provision is being improved in the area.”
BBNPA: “BBNPA does not have a policy of directing visitors to any specific alternative car park during normal operations. However, during peak visitor periods, authorised carparks Gwaun Hepste and Cwm Porth regularly reach capacity. At such times and where traffic conditions allow, BBNPA staff primarily advise visitors to return later in the day or consider visiting on another day particularly as the authority does not have access to real-time visibility of capacity at other parking locations across the area.
“Where known temporary overflow car parks are open and available, staff may direct visitors to those locations. Outside of these circumstances, and where visitor specifically ask about alternative places to park, staff may provide general information about known, lawful parking options across the wider area. This is not undertaken on a preferential or directed basis towards any one site. As a general principle, staff are not instructed to redirect visitors to other specific sites once core car parks are full.
“This approach is intended to help to reduce the risk of vehicles queuing on roads, parking illegally, or creating obstructions, all of which can lead to safety issues and increased disruption for residents of Ystradfellte and visitors to the area. As you will be aware, unmanaged parking pressure in this area already presents significant challenges for the local community and staff actions are focussed on mitigating those impacts wherever possible.
“At periods of particularly high visitor pressure this year, the availability of temporary car parks has been reduced due to ground conditions following significant rainfall. In addition, there has been a temporary reduction in parking capacity within Pontneddfechan due to ongoing works to improve parking and visitor management.
“These factors are likely to have increased pressures on the remaining operational carparks. In response, BBNPA staff have, where appropriate, sought to help visitors identify safe and legal parking options across the wider area rather than allowing unmanaged roadside parking to develop.
“The Authority is already engaged in established partnership arrangements across the Waterfalls Country area, including with NRW, local authorities and community representatives. Within this context, and where we anticipate pressures, such as a lack of overflow parking capacity, BBNPA will seek to share information on anticipated peak visitor periods with partners, including NRW and SWOAPG, to support wider awareness of potential pressures across the area.
“At present, we do not anticipate any temporary overflow car parks being open over the forthcoming bank holiday weekend due to continued poor ground conditions. Parking capacity at Pontneddfechan is expected to remain constrained as improvement works continue. These factors are likely to increase pressures on existing parking provision across the wider area during periods of good weather.“