Show chiefs make parking changes

A car and caravan stuck in mud at last year's show

Parking arrangements for the Royal Welsh Show are to change in an attempt to avoid the traffic chaos which marred last year's event.

Livestock lorries will be switched to flatter areas of the showground at Llanelwedd, Powys this July.

Waterlogged parks bogged down vehicles last year and resulted in 10-mile traffic jams, as 20,000 cars a day tried to enter the showground.

The parking problems cost the show £94,000, said officials.

The money was spent on hiring extra parking spaces and 40 tractors, which were used to tow vehicles clear, and restoring damaged ground.

Under the new arrangements, stock lorries and trailers will move from their existing area on sloping ground to a car park currently used by judges and stewards.

Major traffic queues formed on roads leading to the Royal Welsh

They will switch to an adjacent area which is presently used for public parking.

There were plans to locate livestock lorries in a area used to park show members' caravans, but that was strongly opposed by the members.

The Royal Welsh board of management said the changes were necessary to "avoid any possible recurrence of the chaotic traffic and parking difficulties that resulted from the atrocious weather last year".

Its chairman David Lewis said the show had to manage such conditions in the future otherwise the event could be "jeopardised".

"We have consulted widely with our county advisory committees throughout Wales and examined the pros and cons of numerous suggestions, but there has been no easy solution to the problem," he added.

"Obviously, we have been forced to compromise and the proposed changes will not suit everyone."

The agricultural event regularly attracts more than 200,000 visitors over four days.