A TOWN council has been inundated with complaints about a popular Mid Wales visitor attraction. Llandrindod Lake has seen an increase in congestion due to parked cars and even numerous sightings of rats around the beauty spot – due to a new one-way traffic system that was introduced over lockdown.

It’s an area that has seen heavy investment and been revitalised in recent years, yet the new one-way system has led to copious complaints.

These stem from the “significant” growth of traffic and speed of cars driving in the area; an increased presence of parked cars which is leading to congestion and difficulties for turning traffic, especially large vehicles such as coaches and caravans; as well as “many complaints” over camper vans illegally parking overnight, and the rubbish left by their owners, which has attracted vermin.

At their August meeting, Llandrindod Wells Town Council resolved to sending a letter to Powys County Council to discuss their concerns and those of local residents – with a suggestion that the one-way system should even be scrapped.

Councillor Jamie Jones raised the issue at the August 17 meeting, with the clerk and other council members admitting they had received numerous complaints from residents and visitors alike.

“The one-way traffic system from Grosvenor Road is causing many issues,” read a statement of the minutes from that meeting.

“The traffic on Grosvenor Road has significantly grown and the speed of cars has increased. This has been noted by residents.

“Visitors to the town continue to access the lake from Spa Road; this is causing issues with vehicles having to turn around at the end of the one-way system into the entrance to the lake restaurant.

County Times: Llandrindod Wells lake. Picture by Mick Pleszkan.

“Cars continue to park on both sides of Princes Avenue right up to the planters installed to close off the road. This is leaving a small turning area with the added issue of approaching traffic following the one-way system often causing difficulties for turning coaches, camper vans, caravans and cars, which have been witnessed reversing down the whole of Princes Avenue as they are unable to turn.

“This forms a significant risk to health and safety, particularly as this is a recreational area with lots of families and young children regularly accessing the play parks. Vehicles have also been seen driving the wrong way on the one-way system, including caravans.

“There continues to be ongoing issues with cars parking in the central parking lane and opening up doors when traffic is approaching on the one-way system. It has also been noted that doors opening up into the Cycle Lane are also causing issues.

“Many complaints have been received with regard to camper vans parking overnight (often up to three nights). The town council feel this is not a camping site and is a site for day visitors or residents who may wish to enjoy the lake, which is not possible when multiple camper vans are parked at any one time. This is extremely frustrating as there is a campsite less than 500 yards away.

“It has also been reported that the owners of the camper vans are disposing of their waste in the lake and drains. This is a definite health hazard.

“There has been significant increase in rats around the lake and the council feel this may be partly due to the camper vans and their food waste.”

Members agreed to write to Cllr Heulwen Hulme, the local authority’s cabinet portfolio holder for highways, as well as traffic and travel manager Tony Caine and county councillor Pete Roberts.

The town council said it is asking Powys County Council to give serious consideration to the following two suggestions: reverse the one-way system and install a stop junction at the bottom of Golf Links Road, which would resolve the issue of limited turning for traffic and eliminate the need for reversing down Princes Avenue and stop the parking of camper vans over night at the lake and install signage denoting this.

The one-way system came into existence in Llandrindod sometime after the first Covid-19 lockdown was introduced by the UK Government last March. It formed part of an overhaul of the lake area in general in recent years, which has been significantly enhanced and made more attractive for locals and visitors alike. A sandpit was built earlier this year to turn the lake area into Llandrindod’s very own version of a day at the beach. The Llandrindod Wells Working Together holiday project was a joint collaboration between the Severn Wye Project, Powys County Council and the Lakeside Boathouse.

The sandpit was the latest addition. Back in 2018 a £158,000 regeneration of the Spa town beauty spot was completed with the lake and surrounding area enhanced by improved pathways, restoration of the amphitheatre on the shore and the installation of new pedalo boats for visitors to hire. A new cycle path has also been built while owners of the Lakeside Boathouse established a new local water sports club in May.

The lake’s famed Waterbeast sculpture was also repaired after its support structure deteriorated as a result of being in the water for 10 years.

Cllr Martin Weale, the council’s cabinet member for regeneration at the time, said: “I'm delighted that the enhancement works in Llandrindod Wells' Lake Park have been completed.

“This area is an important tourist facility for the town and mid Powys and the grant has provided a huge boost to its business prospects.

“We hope that visitors to the Lake Park appreciate the enhancement works that have been carried out and that they will support the business as we pilot boating on the lake.”