New worries have arisen over the misuse of scenic car parks as “free campsites” in Gwynedd. A dog walker at Y Glyn in Llanberis said they captured numerous instances of illegal fires and BBQs being lit on a warm, sunny day, North Wales Live reports.
The dog walker claimed that when he confronted one visiting family, the ensuing row led to threats. Signs at Y Glyn, known by some as the ‘lagoons’, caution against the risk of starting open fires in the wooded area.
“It was unbelievable,” said the dog walker, who wished to remain anonymous. “So many people there were camping there for the night and were ignoring signs banning the lighting of fires.
READ MORE: 21 landmarks that just wouldn’t make sense anywhere else but Wales
LATEST: Lovely houses face a ghost town of empty shops on the historic Barry waterfront
“There were fires lit on the access road and disposable BBQs burning away on picnic tables. Some BBQs were on legs, which is fair enough but still illegal, and when I spoke to their owners, they were very respectful of the countryside. Others were not, however.
“It’s not just the damage caused to the ground, and the ugly scorch marks left behind, it’s the potential danger they cause. Some fires were right next to undergrowth which, when I visited, was very dry. At least one fire was lit on the main path down to the lagoons. The danger doesn’t go away when the fires go out.
Lighting fires and BBQs at the site, known as the lagoons, is strictly forbidden
(Image: No credit)
“What if a swimmer, paddleboarder or young child had been walking barefoot and stepped on the still-hot ashes left behind?” According to the dog walker, the situation escalated when he approached a father about to light a fire. Despite the dog walker’s plea for reconsideration, he later returned to find a small fire crackling away.
“The dad and his two children were cooking sausages on kebab skewers,” he recounted. “I couldn’t believe it. I told him I was ringing the police.” The walker claimed the dad went on to threaten him with his skewer. “He put it in my face and I pushed him away,” the dog walker alleged. ” “I told him I wasn’t going anywhere until the police had arrived. I was bluffing, I hadn’t called the police.”
“Eventually, he backed down and put out the fire. But as it was still hot, and with undergrowth nearby, I fetched some water from the lagoons and poured it on the embers to make sure it was fully extinguished and not a danger.”
Campers light a fire on a road at Y Glyn in Llanberis
(Image: No credit)
Local frustration has been mounting over three refurbished car parks at Y Glyn, situated by Llyn Padarn. The height barriers remain unoperated, allowing campervans and motorhomes free access to the site. Additionally, payment machines at the newly-established Arosfan site have yet to become operational.
Locals have voiced their concerns over the rise in antisocial behaviour and disregard for the area’s cleanliness. Concerns range from noise pollution and littering to concerns over potential fire damage. In response, the council has pledged to reinstate a private security firm to monitor the site, as has been done in the past two summers.
Overnight camping remains prohibited in all car parks and lay-bys within the county, and the council has confirmed that its staff have taken action to remove illegal campers from Parc Padarn. Payment machines at the new Arosfan site for motorhomes are expected to be operational in time for the peak holiday season.
The council has stated that height barriers at Y Glyn cannot be lowered due to the presence of motorhomes legitimately parking for the day, as well as the increased number of vehicles with watercraft and other leisure equipment on their roofs. Many residents have expressed concerns not about tourism itself, but about the behaviour of a small minority of visitors. “It wouldn’t be so bad if they respected the lives of those who live there,” one woman remarked on social media.
Responsible wild campers have also condemned the behaviour of those who disregard the environment. “This is the minority spoiling it for those of us that leave no trace,” said a specialist at West Midlands Fire Service.
WalesOnline has launched a new breaking news and top stories WhatsApp community