An historic Gwynedd village is being gridlocked by traffic heading to one of Britain’s most scenic waterfalls. Last weekend Abergwyngregyn descended into chaos as bumper-to-bumper queues tailed back more than half-a-mile onto the A55.
The village, once home to the last native prince of Wales, has become mired in traffic since the pandemic lockdowns. The rising popularity of Aber Falls, a majestic waterfall much loved online, has seen problems escalate ever since.
Fed-up residents say they now dread sunny days. Often they will leave the village early or resign themselves to a day trapped in their homes. With support, the community is willing to self-fund solutions, such as matrix signs and extra parking.
Locals say they don’t want to stop visitors, just manage the problems in a village that lies just 70 metres from the A55. Aber resident Rachel Mackereth said gridlocks were happening more frequently and were getting worse. “We’re experiencing intolerable traffic congestion which is seriously affecting life in the village,” she said.
“The situation not only has a negative impact on residents but also the visitors. Understandably, people trapped in the congestion get frustrated and this boils over at times. It creates a dangerous mix of cars and pedestrians with emergency vehicles unable to get through.”
Matters came to a head on Easter Sunday when parking was at a premium as visiting vehicles choked a narrow road that winds through the village up to Aber National Nature Reserve. Unsuitable for wide vehicles, it leads to ticketed car parks run by Eryri National Park and Natural Resources Wales (NRW).
A third car park, below the village, is free and this often fills quickly too, despite the extra walking involved. As circling visitors become desperate, some resort to parking at bus stops and passing places, grinding the village to a halt. Sign up now for the latest news on the North Wales Live Whatsapp community
“Last Sunday it was awful,” said Rachel. “I was told vehicles were queuing back onto the A55, where people were getting out of their cars to see what was going on. It’s incredibly dangerous - an accident waiting to happen.”
Others in the village shared their frustration at a situation that’s becoming increasingly common. Writing online last weekend, one man said: “Going up to the Falls is completely gridlocked with idiots parking in the passing places making it impossible to come up or down!”
A woman noted: “Buses couldn’t turn down the bottom, most of them where skipping Aber altogether.” Another fumed: “Took frigging ages to deliver, gave up in the end.”
The problems have been pinned on social media’s habit of glorifying natural attractions and encouraging days-out. Aber Falls is not the biggest waterfall in Wales but it’s regarded as one of the most impressive. And as it lies just a mile from the A55, it’s easily accessible too – providing not everyone goes at the same time.
Billed as a “must-visit” waterfall, with scenic walks, it’s ideal fodder for walkers and families from Liverpool and Manchester wanting a day trip. Aber Falls has attracted celebrity endorsements too: last year model and TV personality Christine McGuiness described it as “the most magical, beautiful thing I have ever seen” after visiting it on BBC’s Pilgrimage: The Road Through North Wales.
When the village becomes gridlocked, visits becomes rather less magical. Both residents and visitors complain of choking fumes in stationary traffic. Some are forced to park up at Aber Falls distillery and walk an extra half-mile to reach the village.
“The waterfall is consistently featuring in lists of “top 10 things to do in North Wales,” said Rachel. “In our experience, visitor numbers are increasing exponentially.
“If you don't want to get caught out, you have to think very carefully about when you need to leave your house. We will definitely leave before 10.30am, and often you can’t return until 4pm-5pm. Last weekend it was nearer 6.30pm-7pm, such was the amount of traffic.”
Residents and organisations in the village said they are ready to work with Cyngor Gwynedd, NRW and the National Park to find solutions. Ideas range from temporary car parks to traffic lights and local people directing traffic. The village may even be prepared to dip into its reserves.
But Rachel said: “Engagement has been slow if not non-existent – we keep getting told it’s a difficult problem with no easy answers. Many residents feel forgotten, especially when they see other places in a similar situation getting support and intervention.”
Cyngor Gwynedd said it was aware of the long-standing issues raised in Abergwyngregyn during certain times of the year. A spokesperson said: “Representatives from several bodies, as well as the local community, have met on a number of occasions to discuss these issues as well as possible solutions.
“While sympathetic to the issues raised, discussions have so far concluded that for reasons extending from cost and practicability to acceptability, there are no easy fixes.
“The council, along with other stakeholders, regularly share communications that are intended to have a positive influence on the behaviours of those who visit popular locations in the area such as Abergwyngregyn. This includes encouraging visitors to plan ahead, consider how they travel to and from these locations, and that they act responsibly and are respectful to the local communities when visiting.
“The council will continue to positively engage with others with a view of mitigating the concerns raised, and the community is welcome to share any new suggestions that would benefit from further consideration with the council.” Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
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