Neath Port Talbot Council is working in partnership with Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, Powys County Council and local transport operator South Wales Transport to operate a Park and Ride service for visitors to Waterfall Country at Pontneddfechan this summer.
Starting at Lancaster Close Car Park in Glynneath, the service will run on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Monday from Saturday 17th July to Sunday 5th September 2021.
This year the service will also be free of charge with the aim of gathering visitor views on the future delivery model for the service.
The Waterfall Country Park and Ride is being run as a pilot project with the aim of establishing if the service can have a positive impact on the intense visitor parking pressures in nearby Pontneddfechan, one of the main starting points for walks in Waterfall Country.
Visitors will be able to catch the service from the Lancaster Close Car Park and designated bus stops between Glynneath and the Village Hall in Pontneddfechan.
It is hoped that in addition to parking at Lancaster Close, visitors will take time to explore the town of Glynneath and the many independent shops and cafes that operate in the town.
Waterfall Country is a hugely popular visitor destination which hosts a range of beautiful waterfalls. In recent years the small village of Pontneddfechan has seen a huge increase in visitors, leaving the local community unable to cope with the number of cars attempting to park in the village.
Cllr Annette Wingrave, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Sustainable Development said: “The residents of Pontneddfechan are rightly concerned about the impact visitor traffic is having within their village. By working in partnership across the public sector we are aiming to test out new approaches, like the Park and Ride service, which can help in easing the pressures on residents of Pontneddfechan and in turn increase footfall within Glynneath.”
Stephanie Evans, Transition Director for the Brecon Beacons National Park, added: “The pilot Park and Ride Service is part of a range of measures which are being implemented by ourselves and our partners to ease the significant visitor pressures we are experiencing across Waterfall Country. We are asking visitors to work with us and be mindful of the impact they have on our local communities.’
The Park and Ride service is intended to supplement existing on-street parking arrangements and encourage visitors to park responsibly.
