Easter parking warning after police tow 40 cars in Eryri

Of the vehicles removed from the narrow mountain routes, 29 were recovered from the Llyn Ogwen and nine in Pen y Pass

Police have warned that illegal parking at a north Wales beauty spot will see more cars removed after almost 40 vehicles were towed at the start of the Easter break.

North Wales Police said parking on double yellow lines or obstructing roads in Eryri National Park - also known as Snowdonia - "risks lives".

The issue forced the A5 road to close on Friday.

Large groups are expected to visit the area again across the weekend.

Police are urging drivers to make use of the park and ride facilities available to help prevent further issues on the area's narrow roads.

• Road shut and cars towed away over illegal parking

On Saturday the force said in a statement that drivers in breach of parking rules would have their vehicles removed "at their own expense".

It said: "Whilst we appreciate people are visiting Eryri National Park to enjoy the weather and stunning scenery this bank holiday weekend, we are urging motorists to be responsible and think about where they park and to make full use of the park and ride facilities that are available.

"The irresponsible and dangerous parking we witnessed in Pen y Pass and Llyn Ogwen yesterday (Good Friday) not only risks lives, but also prevents emergency vehicle access.

"Almost 40 vehicles parked dangerously on the narrow mountain routes were recovered yesterday, including 29 near Llyn Ogwen and nine in Pen y Pass.

"Parking in other parts of Eryri National Park will continue to be monitored over the bank holiday weekend.

"Any further vehicles found to be parked on the clearway, double yellows or causing an obstruction will also have their vehicle removed at their own expense. Please heed the warning."

What do visitors make of the crackdown?

"The number of vans on the side of the road is way more than I've ever seen, it's really busy," said hiker James Holmes from Llanymynech in Powys.

He said it took 90 minutes to find a parking space, despite arriving before 06:00 BST.

"I think you could come here and not get a parking space depending on what time [you arrive]," said another hiker, Sophie Holmes.

"We came very early so we were very lucky," she added.

Hikers Sophie Holmes (left) and Abigail Webber say they came early and were "lucky" to find parking

But fellow hiker Abigail Webber said more buses, not more car parks, was the solution so the area would continue "looking like Wales".

Taxi driver Paul Jones said the parking chaos tended to happen on bank holidays when the sun was out.

"I think yesterday was the first day of people just try their luck and park anywhere and they've paid the price," he said.

More police are needed to "move people along" says taxi driver Paul Jones

Many of the visitors to the area are day trippers from Liverpool and Manchester, Mr Jones said, and they were not aware of new parking rules.

"A lot of people are coming up the pass and saying they didn't realise they had to book the parking," he explained.

He wants more policing on bank holidays to "move people on, send them to the parking places, let them know there are park-and-rides".

Police said they are working closely with Gwynedd Council and the Eryri National Park to help reduce the risk to walkers, cyclists and other road users

On Friday, Elizabeth Roberts, a councillor whose ward covers Ogwen, said: "It was almost becoming a one-way road with cars parking the way that they were, and it made it difficult for emergency workers to get though.

"Drivers also park in front of driveways so local people cannot get out of their properties, and it has a big impact on families who want to walk around the area when cars park on the pavements."