Re-opened Snowdon lift for tourism

The re-opening is being seen as a timely bank holiday boost

The re-opening of key routes on Snowdon in time for the May Bank Holiday has helped attract back walkers in encouraging numbers.

But early indications have shown other inland attractions are continuing to suffer from the fall out of foot-and-mouth restrictions.

Powys accountant Ian Mitchell from the New Rural Business Network said visitors to the Brecon Beacons this weekend were being told key rights of way in the countryside may not be open for weeks.

Sue Essex: Re-opened footpaths

In north Wales, four paths leading to the summit of Mount Snowdon which were closed by the foot-and-mouth crisis have been reopened in time for the holiday weekend.

Early figures indicated that visitor figures - encouraged by good weather - may be up on last year's May bank holiday.

A Tourist Information spokesman at Betws-y-Coed said the centre had opened early and staff had received numerous enquiries about which paths had re-opened.

Park officials said its visitor park and ride scheme was working well, with people using the disinfectant mats provided.

Snowdonia National Park Authority chief executive Iwan Huws marked the occasion on Friday by walking to the top of the 1,085-metre peak - the highest in England and Wales.

Everyone involved should conduct themselves in a responsible fashion. Not doing so will jeopardise the re-opening programme and risk the spread of the foot-and-mouth disease.

Snowdonia National Park's Iwan Huws

The mountain was officially re-opened to walkers by the Welsh Assembly Environment Minister Sue Essex.

But, as the celebrations began in north Wales, there was bad news in the south, with a second case of foot-and-mouth being confirmed in the county borough of Newport.

The assembly reported that a case had been found in sheep at Fairview, Peterstone, Wentloog, near Newport - the second incident in the area in a week. It took the total in Wales to 84.

The Snowdon massif was closed to the public on 27 February because of foot-and-mouth restrictions and remained a designated infected area until 18 April.

The Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales has approved the reopening of the Miners and Pyg paths from Pen-y-Pass, the Watkyn Path through the National Trust's Hafod-y-Llan estate in Nant Gwynant, and the Llanberis path.

Snowdon National Park Authority wardens will give advice to walkers as they begin their ascent, and information leaflets will be handed out to visitors.

Crisis in Wales

Total confirmed cases UK-wide 1,522 - with 84 in Wales

Powys - 50 cases

Anglesey - 13 cases

Monmouthshire - 16 cases

Caerphilly 1

Rhondda Cynon Taff - 1

Neath Port Talbot -1

Newport - 2

Walkers will also have to disinfect footwear at the start and end of their visit.

"The interest of walkers, farmers, tourism operators and indeed the whole local economy is at stake, so goodwill and co-operation is vital if the reopening is deemed to be a success," Mr Huws said.

"Signs have been erected on the summit of Snowdon reminding walkers to also use the specified paths on their descent. No dogs are allowed on the mountain and contact with sheep, cows, goats, pigs and deer is strictly prohibited.

"There is no doubt that reopening these paths will prove to be a much- welcomed boost to the local economy but it must be stressed that everyone involved should conduct themselves in a responsible and orderly fashion.

The powers that be say it is safe to walk these paths and now all we can do is hope they are right

Hill farmer Dafydd Morris

"Not doing so will jeopardise the reopening programme and risk the disastrous effects of the spread of the foot-and-mouth disease to the area.

But several farmers have voiced their disapproval of the re-opening.

Hill farmer Dafydd Morris, who owns 1,200 acres in the Llanberis area, said he would rather the mountain remained closed.

"As farmers we feel this is the lesser of two evils," he said.

"We would rather people stayed away altogether until foot-and-mouth is totally eradicated.

Parking banned

"But it is better to open these four paths with restrictions than to open the whole mountain and say `Go where you like'.

"The powers that be say it is safe to walk these paths and now all we can do is hope they are right."

The Snowdonia National Park Authority's car parks at Pen-y-Pass and Nant Peris will remain closed to members of the public and grass verge and roadside parking remains prohibited under the terms of the risk assessment.

Walkers are being encouraged to catch the Sherpa park-and-ride bus service from Llanberis, Beddgelert and Betws-y-Coed to Pen-y-Pass.

Ramblers' Association spokesperson Jacquetta Fewster welcomed the re-opening, but added: "There are still thousands of miles of footpaths that remain needlessly closed."