Betws-y-Coed anti-speeding group

Drivers who have been treating a Conwy Valley beauty spot like a race track have had their cars seized following a zero tolerance crackdown by police and residents.

Betws-y-Coed is better known as a hot-spot for tourists and day-trippers, but more recently its main car park on Station Road has become a racing track late at night.

Residents from nearby Railway Cottages, on Station Road, complained to the Police and the local community council in November, regarding a number of young people driving at speed and carrying out dangerous manoeuvres in the car park.

Community Beat Manager PC 1488 Mark Howell-Walmsley is working closely with residents, the council and Snowdonia National Park Authority who own the land, to crack down on the culprits.

“We ask residents to be vigilant of the late night activities, and note down car registrations, and dates and times of dangerous driving and speeding activity at the car park. Anyone caught breaking the law there in their vehicle is given a Section 59 Notice, which is a written warning by the police, regarding their anti-social behaviour. Anyone caught again will have their car seized.

“So far we have seized two 4x4 vehicles. The owners will have to pay a £150 fine to get them back or the cars will be crushed. We have also issued a number of Section 59 Notices to other drivers and we will continue to crack down on this kind of activity in the area. We are taking a zero tolerance attitude to this kind of dangerous anti-social behaviour.”

Steps are being taken to secure the car park. Through partnership working North Wales Police are looking at preventative measures such as traffic calming and gates to stop the activity from continuing. “In the meantime we will continue to patrol the area and ask residents continue to be vigilant noting down car registrations.”

PC 1488 Mark Howell-Walmsley