Work has begun on a new car park at the foot of one of Wales' most popular tourist sites. Construction is now underway on a new, expanded car park at Pont ar Daf on the A470 at the foot of Pen y Fan as the number of people visiting the site continues to grow.
The plans, first announced in April, include around 200 extra car parking spaces with provision for disabled users, electric vehicle charging points, parking for minibuses, coaches and cyclists and an area for the emergency services. They also include new visitor facilities including toilets with disabled access, a Changing Places toilet and baby changing facilities as well as improvements to signage and footpaths.
National Trust said it needs to build the car park to cope with demand with more than 350,000 people visiting Pen y Fan every year.
Read more: Record-breaking temperatures of 37C forecast as Wales braces for 'extreme heat'
Pictures taken this week show construction workers on site have began to transform the space, with National Trust also set to introduce parking charges later this year. From this winter you will have to pay £7.50 per car to park at Pen y Fan, but it will remain free if you're a National Trust member.
Alan Kearsley-Evans, General Manager, National Trust Cymru Brecon Beacons and Gower, said: "We are making improvements to the existing car park at Pont ar Daf to help ensure that visitors start their journey in a safe and fit for purpose car park, that is in keeping with the natural surroundings of the area. Works are underway and scheduled to take place over the summer and autumn with a finishing date of winter 2022.
"Improving the car park is a key part of our work in looking after the Brecon Beacons, caring for the land around Pen y Fan and for the network of over 70km of footpaths so that thousands of people can continue to enjoy walking in this area."
"Planned new visitor facilities will include toilets with disabled access, a Changing Places toilet, and baby changing facilities. Disabled parking spaces will be provided alongside parking provision for minibuses, coaches and cyclists and improvements to signage, footpaths and information will also allow people to better plan their day.
"We want to ensure everyone who comes here has a welcome fitting of this special place by providing a great start to a day out enjoying the nature and beauty found in outdoors.”
Wales is expected to see record-breaking temperatures this weekend and next week, with the latest reports suggesting it could reach up to 37C in parts of the country on Sunday and Monday. You can read a day-by-day forecast of the upcoming weather in Wales here.
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