Shortcuts - updates and local knowledge Pont Scethin, uwchben Dyffryn Ardudwy, haf 1974 ● Pont Scethin, above Dyffryn Ardudwy, in summer of 1974
Rhodd Eryri We are grateful for support from Rhodd Eryri, the pilot ‘visitor giving’ scheme, through which local businesses and their customers were able to give something back to the area. When the pilot scheme was taken over by Gwynedd Council we hoped it would flourish and generate lots of support for local projects. Sadly, it has vanished without trace – a pity given all the work that went into developing it. However, Rhodd Eryri will end on a positive note and with a positive legacy; the final contribution to the Society of £1,250 will be used to provide conservation skills practical training for young people in Snowdonia. HSBC You won’t often read a piece about a bank in these pages. However, we felt we should let you know that the Financial Ombudsman has again found in our favour in our long-running battle with HSBC over their failures in relation to our payments facilities. Judith and Debbie (and Frances before them) have done a sterling (!) job in trying to get our bank to rectify its mistakes. This has been going on since 2016. The compensation order of £750 in no way covers the staff time and stress costs, but it is a symbolic victory at least. Many thanks to those of you who had to resubmit direct debit mandates when your subscriptions weren’t taken – we really appreciate your patience and support. Championing Nature Sometimes it feels like Snowdon has become something of a sacrificial mountain. Through the filtered lens of the media (think parking! litter! crowds!) it is made to look a dirty and chaotic place. Meanwhile social media and selfies can magnify a ‘me vs the big mountain’ narrative right out of proportion. Both have an element of truth in them, of course. We expend a lot of staff and volunteer resources responding to the challenges that stem from hundreds of thousands of visitors per year. But it would be a shame to end up thinking of Snowdon as just a giant obstacle course on steroids. Unhappy with feeling sad about Snowdon, we decided to do something about it! We will shortly be revealing our new 'Snowdon - the Living Mountain' leaflet. We hope its purpose is clear – to inspire visitors to look again and see Snowdon differently, and to appreciate and respect it for the extraordinarily special mountain that it is. Specifically the leaflet, and the online resources to accompany it, draw attention to the remarkable wildlife for which Snowdon is home. We are very grateful to Snowdonia National Park Authority whose CAE fund financed part of this work, and to the many knowledgeable partners and supporters who provided input. Fresh thinking on transport We’ve reported recently on our work as part of the Snowdon Partnership to get to grips with the transport and parking challenges which have become progressively more acute in a few ‘honeypot’ areas – most obviously Snowdon itself and Ogwen. Most of the options involve scaling up or redesign of public transport provision. Social distancing means that those options look more difficult
12 | Gwarchod a dathlu Eryri ers dros 50 mlynedd
right now, but this shouldn’t stop us applying fresh thinking to the problem. So we were pleased to hear from Ed Straw, who lives near a key traffic hotspot. Here’s what Ed has to say: “I live in Nant Peris, which is probably amongst the best places to be during a lockdown. Perhaps the most notable change in our ways of living during this time has been the absence of noise from vehicles. The silence, other than the wonderful sounds of nature, has been outstanding, along with the opportunity to just wander along the valley without having to watch out for or be distracted by cars. The Park is a very different experience without cars, far more so than perhaps anyone expected. This has got a few of us to thinking; now visitors are free to come again, could a car free day a month be trialled around Snowdon? And perhaps Ogwen too? Once visitors experience what we have been so fortunate to have for the past three months, would they appreciate just how much better in so many ways the area is without the noise, distraction, dangers and intrusion of cars? It really is a chalk and cheese difference. In time, visitors might demand more car free days, such would be the enhancement of their time here. The logistics of this would take some organising, in terms of parking, park and ride schemes, responsive buses, integrated and regulated taxis, deterrent parking fines, trains and so on. Engagement with and reassurance of local businesses would be essential. Cities around the world are taking this opportunity to increase car free areas, so why not us?” Planning Update: Llanbedr – watch this space The breathtaking coastal scenery and rugged uplands rising above Llanbedr are one of the less well-known glories of the National Park. But this area is under threat from a complex set of interrelated development and 'air space' proposals. Despite the Society's detailed representations and concerns, a mile-long new bypass road was granted planning permission earlier this year. Though well designed to try to minimise harm, it would cause irreparable damage to the landscape, cultural heritage and wildlife west of Llanbedr village.
