URGENT calls are being made to resolve ongoing parking problems and bottlenecks on the A5 at Dyffryn Ogwen.

Arfon AM Siân Gwenllian has urged the Welsh Government find a speedy and pragmatic solution.

The Assembly Member is asking the Cabinet Minister for Transport, Ken Skates, to meet community groups in Dyffryn Ogwen expressing concerns over public safety.

Proposals for a Park and Ride scheme in Bethesda, to help alleviate congestion on the A5 between the village and Llyn Ogwen, have been put forward by Partneriaeth Ogwen.

The Welsh Government has proposed measures including installing yellow lines as a solution, branded ‘completely insufficient’ by the Plaid Cymru AM.

Mrs Gwenllian said: "It’s clear to me that an urgent and lasting solution is needed to prevent a repeat of scenes we saw recently, with parts of the A5 at Llyn Ogwen clogged-up with vehicles making it near impossible to pass.

"I fear the feasibility study carried out by the Welsh Government fails to sufficiently address the concerns of the local community and proffers only sticking plaster solutions.

"Whilst parking restriction measures may be of limited benefit, they do not go far enough to deal with the pressure associated with ever-increasing visitor numbers.’

"We need a solution that has sustainability at its heart and that includes looking at a Park and Ride scheme.

"I am disappointed that the Cabinet Minister has so far refused to engage with the sensible proposals put forward by Partneriaeth Ogwen and others, who have a track record of delivering sustainable local projects.’

"I urge the Cabinet Secretary to meet with community groups and other local stakeholders in Dyffryn Ogwen to find a practical, sustainable solution as soon as possible.

Councillor and Chair of Partneriaeth Ogwen Dafydd Meurig said: "I have been in correspondence with Ken Skates for over three years now, and have invited him to the area to see the problems for himself on a number of occasions, but we have got nowhere.

"It’s very frustrating because this is a relatively cheap and simple problem to solve, and we have the ideas and expertise locally - all we need is the support of the Welsh Government."

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We fully understand that this is a popular location and short, medium and long term options have been identified in the study we commissioned to resolve parking issues in the area.

“The short term options, which we aim to implement quickly, include prohibiting parking in the vicinity of Ogwen Cottage and we are currently consulting with local stakeholders on this matter.

"Another short term option is for better signage for existing car parks which we are progressing this financial year.

“The medium and long term options include maximising spaces in existing car parks and creating additional parking on highway land.

"These options would be subject to available funding and will require more time and consultation, however we are currently progressing detailed designs for these possible measures.

"We will also be liaising with relevant stakeholders regarding the possibility of a park and ride system.”