Eryri Local Development Plan Background Paper 11 Recreation & Access May 2017 Background Paper 11: Recreation & Access – May 2017 Introduction Snowdonia National Park is an extremely popular area for informal recreation. The Authority fulfils much of its second purpose and increasingly its social and economic duty through facilitating and managing recreational development and use of the Park. Recreation is one of the major drivers of the local economy and the 3 Parks Sustainable Tourism Initiative has outlined the Authority’s role as providing infrastructure, guidance and management. The Authority is by no means the only provider of infrastructure and management. A wide range of other bodies in the public and voluntary sector as well as a rapidly growing number of private businesses either provide or manage facilities or leisure businesses. The landscapes of Snowdonia are known to be the major attraction to people wishing to enjoy it in increasingly varied and imaginative ways. It is a challenge to all involved to accommodate recreation where possible in a sustainable way to enable its benefits to continue and grow while protecting the environment and landscape and preventing harm to the basic resource. While playing a major part in recreation management and development, the National Park Authority has few resources and virtually no powers other than development control. The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2001 does give the Authority powers to manage the rights on open access land and the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 also gives some other powers, including the power to implement Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO). While the Authority can implement by-laws in some areas it has not done so to date. The prime management tool is through stakeholder dialogue and the development of mutual understanding within a wide range of official and unofficial bodies both local, regional and national. Snowdonia is home to approximately 26,000 people and it is important that the National Park Authority identifies how best the health and well-being of both local residents and visitors can be served whilst respecting National Park purposes and the living landscape that is Snowdonia. Recreation Walking and Access By far the most popular activity in the National Park for visitors and local individuals alike is walking and access to the countryside in all its variety. This form of outdoor recreation is very beneficial to health and well-being and contributes substantially to the local economy each year and fulfills the second primary purposes of the National Park - “ to promote the opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the area by the public ”. Although the National Park Authority has no statutory powers in terms of Public Rights of Way management within its boundaries, (these duties rest with the two highway authorities Gwynedd and Conwy Councils) it does undertake a great deal of work on their behalf by agreement. This varies from undertaking footpath surveys, furniture replacement and repairs to surfacing including erosion control on many of the more difficult upland paths including those on Snowdon. Works are also undertaken on many of the National Park promoted and all ability routes These are important and where building and maintaining quality infrastructure can benefit local businesses and make a significant contribution to the local and regional economy. The National Park will continue to support these networks as best as possible and within its financial resources. 2 Background Paper 11: Recreation & Access – May 2017 The CROW Act 2001 gave a right of access to an additional 58% of land within the National Parks area. Few problems have been experienced and the management powers contained in the Act have not been called upon to any great extent other than some for public safety. The Act has also prompted the National Park Authority to development additional routes which were not previously available to the public and we continue to explore these options. A recent development has seen a legal agreement drawn up between the Authority and Conwy County Borough Council. This allows the Authority to carry out an agreed maintenance work programme related to our prioritised Leisure Networks and cycle routes etc. to which Conwy Council make a contribution. This approach is now also being discussed with Gwynedd Council. Cycling Cycling is an activity which is gaining in popularity. National Cycle routes 8 and 5 run through or adjacent to the National Park and form the spine for a number of other cycling developments including the Lon Las Ogwen Valley route, the Conwy Valley networks and Cylchdaith Meirionnydd. In addition, the hugely successful development of mountain biking networks within National Resources Wales forestry holdings at Coed y Brenin, the Gwydyr forest, Penmachno, Beddgelert and latterly Pant Perthog has led to considerable interest and growth in the sector for the far more experienced off-road cyclists. The downhill course in Blaenau Ffestiniog has also proved popular with that cycling fraternity and has hosted world championship events. All bridleways are technically available to cyclists. Additionally the National Park Authority is a member of the North West Wales Cycle Partnership and is involved in a number of cycling initiatives. In particular, it owns and manages the Mawddach Trail, one of the best and most scenic cycle routes in Britain which is particularly suitable for families. The Authority has also developed Lon Gwyrfai from Rhyd Ddu to Beddgelert as an off-road route for more adventurous cyclists. Communities are now recognising the impact of cycling and are proposing the development of their own off road routes. However, these can have a considerable impact on the landscape and need to be carefully assessed in terms of suitability and their knock on effects on, for example, on car parking and other developments and what resources may be required to maintain them. The National Park will continue to explore these options when they present themselves within available resources. Cycling is a key area of development in the government health agenda. However, as in any activity it can have detrimental environmental effects if carried out in unsuitable places. The Authority negotiated the voluntary agreement on Snowdon which aims to restrict the time in summer during which the paths can be used by cyclists. Generally this agreement works well and avoids conflict between the high numbers of walkers and cyclists in the high season Climbing and Mountaineering Snowdonia, across its massifs, is extremely popular with climbers and mountaineers of all standards and offers aa a wide range of climbing and mountaineering opportunities and both are historically well established and well known internationally.. The WG’s document Climbing Higher Strategy (2006) also recognised the importance of this activity within Wales. The National Park has a continuing dialogue with the British 3 Background Paper 11: Recreation & Access – May 2017 Mountaineering Council (BMC), the Mountain Safe Partnership and monitors these activities continually to promote and ensure good practice. It should be noted that where there are important areas of botanical interest within its boundaries such as SSSI and SAC’s. (i.e. Snowdon Lily etc) These areas are subject to voluntary climbing restrictions and are arranged and monitored between the BMC, local landowners and the Natural Resources Wales. Wild camping. Wild camping can be a rewarding experience however, overnight wild camping in mountain areas can cause problems if not carried out in accordance with agreed protocols. The National Park has developed its own wild camping code which stresses that wild camping is only allowed by consent of the landowner and if this has been given then people are encouraged to follow the good practice guide at all times whilst on other peoples’ land. This activity is monitored by the National Park Warden and Access Service Organised Groups and Mass Events The Snowdonia National Park has an event friendly stance and recognises that events offer many opportunities for enjoyment in the form of outdoor recreation that are beneficial to health and well-being, have the capacity to raise considerable sums for charity and contribute substantially to the local economy each year. However, those activities should not be detrimental to National Park purposes and it is our responsibility to ensure that those special qualities are maintained. Interest and the variety of event activities has grown considerably in recent years and there are a great number of organizations and charities making full use of the great outdoors in Snowdonia – particularly Snowdon. Therefore, it is important that the Authority knows what events are expected, how they are planned and organised to enable us to offer practical guidance and advice so these can be then undertaken with the minimum of difficulties and disruption to local landowners and residents. There have been particularly issues related to litter, poor event management, poor parking arrangements, poor post event management and poor health and safety management. .The Authority has no powers to limit the number or size of events but encourages organisers with over 50 participants to make contact with National Park Officers to discuss their individual events and plan well in advance to reduce such problems and to promote good practice and avoid clashes of dates or with land management Gorge walking has become increasingly popular in recent years, with much of this growth coming from organised outdoor centre group activity. For example usage of the Afon Ddu Gorge, estimated at 11,000 individuals annually, illustrates the potential problems and how the Authority can work in partnership with others using grant funding and advice to promote sustainable land management, to promote understanding of the sensitive ecology and the need for responsible use of these habitats to minimise damage to sensitive plants and animals. The National Park is a member of the Environmental Charter group which sets quality standards for such activities and encourages the promotion and use of their codes of conduct.