A group of eight motorcyclists from Devon have become among the first to be caught out by new automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) parking cameras at a popular lake in Eryri (Snowdonia). The cameras went live on July 13 at Llyn Tegid, Bala, as part of a crackdown on overnight camping and non-payment of parking fees. After stopping twice to buy ice creams, the bikers belatedly discovered that new parking charges had been introduced, and each now faces two £60 penalty notices — a combined bill of £960.
Bikers caught twice in one day
The motorcyclists, who were visiting from Devon, were unaware of the newly enforced charges at the lake's car parks. One of the riders, a regular visitor from Torquay, explained on a local online forum that he had been coming to Llyn Tegid for nearly a decade. This year, he brought seven friends on motorcycles to introduce them to the area, stopping twice to buy ice creams from a van near the shore.
"I've been visiting Llyn Tegid for many years from my home in Devon," he wrote. "This year I brought seven friends with me on motorcycles to introduce them to this beautiful area. We stopped here twice to buy an ice-cream from the lovely lady in the ice cream van – this is something I've been doing for getting on for 10 years."
He added: "In that time I have never been aware of a parking fee for motorcycles in the bay just as you enter. Now we have been home for a week we have started to receive the fines. As we visited twice, we are all expecting £120 each in fines ....for apparently missing £2 in parking fees!"
The biker said none of the group remembered seeing new signage in the motorcycle area. "We would of course have paid the measly £1 charge if we had been made aware of it," he added. "Sadly, it has put a bitter taste in our mouths after visiting your beautiful countryside."
Locals hit by charges and fines
While the motorcyclists' frustration is clear, it pales in comparison to the anger expressed by Bala residents, who say they are being shut out from their own lake. A petition has been submitted to the Eryri National Park Authority (ENPA) calling for free, 24-hour access to the lake's car parks. The petition argues that Llyn Tegid and its two car parks have "belonged to this community for generations" and that the lake is "where this community meets, not a place we should have to pay to stand in."
Residents have also started a letter-writing campaign, highlighting that the "local benefit" of an hour's free parking is only available between 2am and 8am, or 5.30pm and midnight. In a change.org petition, they fumed: "Nobody's socialising by the lake at 3am. Calling that a benefit isn't generous, it's insulting."
Petitioner Elin Pritchard wrote to ENPA, stating: "That's not a meaningful concession for anyone trying to visit after work, at the weekend, or with children, it's a token window designed to let you say one exists." She also raised concerns about the private enforcement model, noting that the scheme is managed on the authority's behalf by Initial Parking, a private company. "Whatever the safeguards, the practical effect for residents is that access to a public lake is now gated by a private firm whose income depends on charges and penalty notices being issued," she said.
Overnight camping and over-tourism pressures
The new parking measures follow chaotic scenes on local roads during recent summers, as Bala wrestles with over-tourism. In response, capacity was increased at Llyn Tegid's two car parks, and charges were raised. Solar-powered ANPR cameras were installed to enforce the rules, reports North Wales Live. Parking now costs £5 for up to four hours, with a daily charge of £8. Different tariffs apply for watersports users, while Blue Badge holders receive double the standard time allowance. Motorcyclists are charged £1 per visit.
The ANPR cameras were switched on July 13, but some motorists claim they received £60 penalties for visits on July 12, the day before the system went live. They are challenging the fines but remain doubtful about their prospects with the private operator now running the car parks.
Pilot scheme under review
The overnight parking restrictions at nine other Eryri car parks were suspended in June after public opposition. However, restrictions remained in place at the two Bala facilities, which now form part of a "pilot scheme." In a letter to Elin Pritchard, Bethan Wyn Hughes, ENPA's director of corporate services, confirmed the pilot would continue until the end of the October half-term, after which the ANPR system would remain in place — though amendments could be made.
Hughes wrote: "The purpose of the pilot is to gather evidence of the effectiveness of ANPR of dealing with both overnight camping and general non-payment of parking fees. The findings from the pilot, including operational ANPR data, resident feedback, community council views and other relevant information, will be evaluated as part of the overall review, and will help inform any future decisions. It would be premature at this stage to speculate on what conclusions may be reached or what changes, if any, may result from that process."
ENPA stated that the pilot scheme was introduced to help manage its car parks more efficiently and to guarantee that the correct parking charges are paid. The authority also hopes the new measures will "improve the visitor experience" and contribute to the ongoing upkeep of the sites. As part of the crackdown on overnight parking, both car parks are now closed between 12am and 2am daily.
Petition gains momentum
The petition, which quickly gathered 534 signatures within six days — surpassing a quarter of Bala's entire population — argues that people, especially children, need more time outdoors, not less. One signatory described it as "awful that people are being pushed away from beautiful natural spaces." Elin Pritchard added: "We are constantly told, by government, by health bodies, by the outdoor sector itself, that people, and especially children, need more time outdoors, not less. A charge like this does not encourage that. It quietly discourages it, and it does so most for the people who already have the least room in their budget to absorb it."
The dispute highlights the tension between managing the environmental and social impacts of tourism in Eryri and maintaining public access to natural spaces. As the pilot continues, both residents and visitors will be watching closely to see whether ENPA adjusts its approach.
