Visitors and local communities will now be able to enjoy even more of Wales’ great outdoors thanks to over half a million pounds of access funding, announced by Environment Secretary Lesley Griffiths today (October 28).

In total, the Welsh Government has allocated £532,000 for 2016/2017 to improve accessibility in three of Wales’ iconic National Parks and four of our Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Proposed work in the Brecon Beacons includes improvements to the access road and facilities at Llyn y Fan Fach in the West Beacons, and visitor and traffic management improvements at Pontneddfechan in Wales’ popular Waterfall Country. Last year, Welsh Government funding allowed the park to repair damage caused by illegal off-roading.

Snowdonia National Park Authority will use the money to further develop the final section of the Snowdon circular route and to improve Cwellyn car park and Snowdon’s Watkin path.

Previous funding allowed Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority to improve accessibility to the award-winning coast path. This year they will focus on improving the visitor offer at car parks by redesigning, adding interpretation, and improving surfacing and traffic flow.

Our Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty have successfully obtained this access funding for the first time. The grant will allow them to create further access opportunities for people of all abilities to enjoy what they have to offer.

Lesley Griffiths said:

“I am delighted to confirm funding of over half a million pounds that will improve accessibility to our unique, inspiring natural landmarks. Only last week the Lonely Planet guide ranked North Wales as the fourth ‘Best in Travel 2017’ region in the world and Gower was, of course, the UK’s first ever Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. That gives an indication of just how special our great outdoors are and we want even more people to be able to enjoy them.”