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Council opens first ‘Arosfan’ overnight car park site for motorhomes

21 Mar 2024 3 minute read
The Arosfan site at Cricieth

The first council-run Arosfan site offering motorhomes an overnight stopping point has been opened – a short distance from a striking coastal castle.

The site at the Maes car park in Cricieth is the first of four pilot sites Cyngor Gwynedd is developing to achieve better management of motorhomes in the county.

Work is also currently being completed at the Glyn Arosfan site in Llanberis, with work progressing on the Cei’r Gogledd (North Quay) site in Pwllheli and the Doc Fictoria car park (former Shell site) in Caernarfon.

Orders

To support the effort with the Arosfan sites, the Council has also introduced orders preventing motorhomes from overnight parking in bays on the A496 on the way into Barmouth, on the A497 near Cricieth and the Foryd area near Caernarfon. This follows instances of irresponsible parking and camping in recent years.

Councillor Dafydd Meurig, Cyngor Gwynedd’s Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “The opening of the first Arosfan site follows a significant amount of preparation work.

“We have seen a significant growth of people visiting Gwynedd in motorhomes in recent years, and it was clear that steps needed to be taken to try to bring the situation under control.

“The Arosfan sites offer dedicated spaces for motorhome owners to stay for periods of up to 48-hours and follow arrangements similar to those regularly seen on the continent with ‘Aires’ sites.

“Our intention is to encourage motor vehicle visitors to stay in a town or village and to provide an element of economic benefit to the local community and having better control over the sector.

“In addition to the Arosfan sites, it’s good to see that new specific orders are being introduced as part of a wider effort to tackle illegal overnight camping at specific hotspots.”

The Arosfan site at Cricieth

The Council also plans to develop public toilet facilities near a number of Arosfan sites which will be available to local residents and visitors to the area. The Council has submitted grant applications that would improve provision in the toilets near the Cricieth and Pwllheli sites.

Economy

Councillor Nia Jeffreys, Cyngor Gwynedd’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy, said: “The visitor industry is a vital part of our local economy and we are pleased that people from all over the world are coming to visit Gwynedd, but this should not be at the expense of local people and communities.

“By developing a Sustainable Visitor Economy Plan we want to see our local communities benefit from the visitor industry, with proactive measures to protect our local communities, language, culture, heritage and environment from the negative impacts of the industry.

“The Arosfan project is a practical example of that in action. Following calls for better control of motorhome use, and discussions with campsite users and owners, the sites will provide an ideal location for use by people on travel holidays looking for a safe and responsible place to stay overnight.

“All sites are located within walking distance of key towns and destinations, and we encourage consumers to make the most of nearby shops and restaurants, and transport links.”

The Arosfan sites will accommodate up to nine motorhomes that will pay a fee to park for a maximum of 48-hours. The Cricieth Arosfan will include facilities for fresh water, chemical waste water, recycling and general waste. Activities such as fires and barbecues are not permitted.

Further details of the Arosfan sites can be found at www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/motorhomes


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Rob
Rob
8 months ago

‘Arosfan’Saw what you did there, C.G.

Peter
Peter
8 months ago

Welsh Councils doing something that will actually welcome and attract tourism to their areas and hopefully generate income, instead of moaning and groaning about tourists, amazing. It appears that we may have some commercially minded forward thinking Councils after all Well done!!

TomTom82
TomTom82
8 months ago

Cyngor Gwynedd could give the Tories a lesson in shady dealings. These spineless utopianists put a stop on expanding tourism while setting up their own version!

Peter
Peter
8 months ago

I commented in an earlier post praising the actions of these Welsh Councils that have created these overnight parking spaces, however i have just read another article that listed the restrictions that will be imposed on the overnight Campers and the facilities that will be available for them to use in Gwynedd for the their stay.
I’m afraid that “Please God forgive them, for they know not what they do”.

Last edited 8 months ago by Peter
Me me
Me me
8 months ago

a bit pricey, most of the aires in Europe are free to park and charge for services. Those that are charged are very cheap.

Chaz Miles
Chaz Miles
8 months ago

Councils lining their pockets again. France and Spain offer free Aires with free electricity,water,waste emptying , showers. Toilets. These are free so you will go into local towns and villages and spend money in local shops, pubs, restaurants etc. Just another tourist tax. I’m a Welsh resident and seeing these tourist taxes makes me sick. This Welsh man will not be lining councils pockets. Cars left in carparks overnight don’t pay £16.50 and neither should motorhomes. TOURIST TAX 🖕🖕🖕

William
William
8 months ago

What is the fuss about, Isn’t this what public servants are supposed to do. Work for the county who pay their salaries instead of just sitting round waiting for payday.

Chris
Chris
8 months ago

Another instance of the Welsh labour government screwing its constituents. Why people vote for this shower is madness !

motor homer
motor homer
8 months ago

being a motorhomer myself i certainly wont be paying these extortionate prices, there are plenty of campsites in and around the area that offer full services much cheaper. why anyne would want to pay more for a council carpark with no security, showers etc is beyond me. love the idea of these park ups but even before the first one is up and running the council is trying to shaft us…

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