'Pollution' claim over railway link

Objectors say Harlech would be ruined by railway plans

Campaigners against plans to run a railway line up a cliff in a Gwynedd castle town say it will detract from the landscape and cause traffic pollution.

A group in Harlech is planning to build a water-powered cable railway up to the 13th Century castle, which is a World Heritage Site.

The Harlech Cliff Development Group says the project would ease the town's parking problems and access problems and boost tourism.

But members of an organisation calling itself Stop Architectural Pollution (SAP) insist the development would increase traffic congestion and ruin the site which they claim is "acknowledged to be an unparalleled gem by architectural historians."

The castle, built by Edward I and taken over by the Welsh during the Owain Glyndwr rebellion in 1404, is perched on the town's cliff top overlooking Tremadog Bay.

It will increase not diminish the traffic congestion in the village at holiday times

Robert Shaw, objector

The origins of the fortress go back to much earlier times, and are rooted in the Mabinogi legends where it is cited as the setting for the court of the giant king Bendigeidfran.

Robert Shaw from SAP says the castle is now "besieged by a more modern enemy crawling up its side if the ambitions of a self-styled community group in the town are realised."

'Increase congestion'

"The view of the castle will be polluted by the railway, intervening in the period atmosphere," he said.

"The inclusion of the railway will damage its attraction.

It would increase traffic congestion in the village at holiday times, he added.

Mr Shaw said there had been no public discussion about the proposals which involve creating a route from the Jackdaw chip shop at the foot of Twtil mound, through trees to the castle.

The castle is a World Heritage Site

But Reg Chapman, one of the group behind the venture, said they have held public meetings where there was overwhelming support.

"People supported a move to resolve the congestion problems in the town - it is a necessity for the people who live in Harlech."

The narrow lanes of the part of the town which shares the cliff top with the castle cause access problems for coaches and tourists visiting in the summer.

A feasibility study by Gwynedd council suggested the railway development would be an excellent opportunity, Mr Chapman said.

"It would be an all-year round form of transport and a not-for-profit operation.

Consultation

"The next step is to apply for planning permission, find funding and carry out an environmental study.

"There has been a decline in the number of visitors to the castle because coaches can't access the town.

"If parking was restricted to the bottom of the hill it would have the effect of reducing pollution in the town itself," he added.

A similar water-run system is in operation at the Centre for Alternative Technology in Machynlleth which the Harlech developers hope will help them work on their project.

A spokeswoman for Snowdonia National Park Authority said there had been correspondence and consultation on the project.

She said they could not comment as no formal planning application had been received.