A campervan seen emptying waste while parked on Aber Foreshore Road in Caernarfon has fired up fresh anger against campervan and motorhome owners that park overnight on the coastal road.
A passing local took photos of the waste as it pooled beneath the campervan and claimed the vehicle had not left for the spot for two weeks.
The pensioner cannot confirm if the waste emptied onto the road was grey or black water waste but he said it looked unpleasant and insisted that, whatever it was, it did not belong on the road.
The parking spot, on Y Foryd, offers prime views across Afon Seiont to Caernarfon Castle, one of the region’s four Edward I’s castles grouped as a World Heritage Site with Conwy, Beaumaris and Harlech.
It is just a short walk from the historic town centre via the Pont Yr Aber footbridge.
Vehicles are free to park on this stretch of road but until last year, many campervan owners chose to pitch up on an adjacent park and sporting complex.
Related: Planning given for four motorhome stopovers in Gwynedd
In 2022, signs banning overnight stays in the park were erected and many campervans now park on the road instead.
Cyngor Gwynedd Council is introducing specific orders that will prevent overnight motorhome parking in “problem areas”.
Among these is Caernarfon’s Y Foryd, the area affected by ongoing campervans issues.
Others are on the A496 into Barmouth and the A497 near Criccieth.
The orders will give the local authority greater powers to regulate in the area and take action against offenders.
The council has also secured planning consent to trial four “Arosfan” overnight campervan and motorhome sites in Gwynedd.
Similar to the “aires” facilities seen on the continent, one is in the Doc Fictoria car park (former Shell site) in Caernarfon.
The Arosfan trial in Caernarfon’s Doc Fictoria car park will be one of four overnight motorhome sites in the county, each with up to nine paid-for bays.
Related: New toilets and waste disposal opens at Fife beach overnight stopover
They will also have facilities for fresh water, chemical wastewater, recycling and rubbish.
Others are at Y Glyn in Llanberis, the Maes car park in Criccieth and Cei’r Gogledd (North Quay) in Pwllheli.
Work on identifying a suitable Arosfan site in Meirionnydd is ongoing.
The sites should be open by the summer.
The sites will permit parking for up to 48 hours.
A council spokesperson said: “Signs will also be placed within the Arosfan sites to ensure that site regulations are followed.
“Whilst daytime parking for campervans and motorhomes is permitted on the Foryd, overnight stays are prohibited. We hope these developments will help to better manage the situation regarding campervans and motorhomes on the Foryd, and we will also take note of the concerns raised by residents.”
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