Penmachno planned trail center

[John]

Was just wondering what peoples views were on the new plans for the visitor / car park for Penmachno, had seen the planning application some time ago and now its in this weeks NWWN seems to be a lot of objections from the locals about the effect it would have on village with the amount of traffic passing through they seem to think that at the moment that must of us are riding through the village that does not seem to be the case,
I rode Penmachno many times last year, in the summer time most of the vehicles were double parked on the road side making life difficult for the locals to pass,
so would it not make more sense to build this car park and get the road clear specially now we have loop 2 up and running, and of course with this new forum soon there will be even more cars parked on the road side well thats my view any way will let the rest of you have your say

[sikora]

Having been to Penmachno for the first time on Tuesday, i can now apprieciate how small the village is.
The roads in the village are a little too narrow for the amount of traffic a trail centre will bring.

I wonder if just a larger car park with a toilet block would suffice. A few pound for parking would help look after it, as well as towards trail maintenance.
The village could then benefit from the extra money spent in the local shop and pub.

Another idea could be to make the start somewhere that'll not interfere with the village - Look at Llandegla. The car park is miles from the local villages.

[sikora]

I'll add as well that the quietness off the trail was quite enjoyable on tuesday. Not sure what its like on a weekend, but i'm pretty sure a trail centre will make it very busy.

[ady]

I think the plans for a are essential for bringing much needed capacity for visiting riders, I also hope it paves the way for a vistor centre with cafe. I can understand the concerns of the locals, however they also need to look at the bigger picture as mountain bikers bring a lot of revenue into an area so they should support the plans. I hope the local goverment sees through any objections and allow the project to go ahead.

Any extra revenue will go towards the maintance and perhaps a further loop that could perhaps link up the Marin somehow, creating a mega centre to rval CYB and other welsh and Scottish trail centres.

[sikora]

Jul 31, 2008 18:39:34 GMT ady said:

I can understand the concerns of the locals, however they also need to look at the bigger picture as mountain bikers bring a lot of revenue into an area so they should support the plans.

In the locals favour is the fact that Betws Y Coed is minutes down the road, so the area doesn't specifically need more tourism.

[ady]

Fair point, I suppose I'm looking at it from a blinkered mountain biking prospective, although if it will help create jobs and help the local economy I don,t see what harm it will do. After the extra traffic will be negligable and should not impact on local village life to much if at all. People always seem to look on the glass half empty side of things and perhaps blow it out of proportion. Most mountain bikers I meet seem a polite sociable bunch, you get the odd dickhead whos less repectful & leaves their empty energy wrapper, banna skin or drinks bottle on the trail instead of taking it home. The locals seem to drive like the loonies rather than the visitors. I suppose the debate will go on.

[sikora]

I don't think its the actual bikes going through the village that would annoy the villagers - its the cars that are bringing the bikes.
I just don't think the road through the village is capable of letting so much traffic flow easily.

[rob]

On balance i'm against the proposed visitor cente and car park, although it will bring more money into the village, the traffic will be a problem. The only danger of not having this centre is that they won't earn the money to maintain the trail.

Although the traffic issue must have been accepted in allowing the planning of the trail in the first place. I't would be good to find an alternative access road or place the centre on the ty mawr road. mmmm but i suppose that's not possible.

In my view it would be better to locate an area centre near the marin? and just have a car park at penmachno?

[John]

As Rob said they must have taken in to account when giving the go a head for the trails in the first place that parking was going to be come a problem once things got established,
also taking in to account that neither trails are sign posted or advertised as yet,

I was told by one of the locals who seem to know what he was talking about that this would be done once the second trail was complete than they decided that this would not happen until they got over the problem of parking etc,

At the end of the day it would be nice to have a center like coed y brenin or llandegla I'm sure a car park with toilets would take care of things, the Marin has managed ok with just a coupe of small car parks so I guess its a case of watch this space.

[Oggy]

Im thinking about it from a bikers point of view and im sat on the fence, I like Penmachno because its out in the wilds the trails are quiet and its a great place to go to get away from the crowds.

Another way of thinking about it, is that if a trail centre is built then more trails may be built and and the present trails may be better maintained.

Suppose what will be, will be, im not to fussed either way, as for the locals and can see there point of view, but its always the ''not on my front door'' sort of attitude. It will bring money to the local econemy but i see there point about the traffic, as the village streets are narrow.

Like sikora said, why carnt they make it so the trail starts on the A5 side of Penmacno, If this is possible then there would be no traffic going through the village and the only traffic that would go in to the village would be people wanting to use the facilitys and spend there money