A NEW plan on how to safeguard Snowdon has been published.

Over 500,000 people visit the mountain each year which in turn means that this is Wales’ third most popular attraction. It is estimated that these users bring £69 million of economic benefit to the area, but as a result, significant pressures and threats are put on the area’s infrastructure, communities, landscape and habitats.

The aim of the Snowdon Partnership Plan is to tackle these challenges and threats, encouraging respect for the mountain, gaining a better understanding of its virtues and securing a better future for Snowdon and its surrounding areas.

By bringing together everyone involved in the daily management of the mountain, and through collaboration and extensive consultation, an agreement has been reached on how to manage Wales’ and Britain’s most popular mountain.

Last week, at the foot of two of Snowdon’s most popular footpaths, the culmination of the Partnership’s work, the Snowdon Partnership Plan, was launched by Hannah Blythyn AM, minister for the environment for the Welsh Government. Among the recommendations included in the Plan are:

• Supporting and promoting quality job opportunities for local people

• Develop and support projects that celebrate language and culture and encourage respect for the area

• Include the community in the development of the Snowdon Circular and prioritise the sections to be developed

• Improve infrastructure and buildings for visitors

• Implement a visitor gift scheme and ensure that the views of the local community form part of its implementation.

• Encouraging an improvement to the Sherpa service and encouraging businesses to inspire visitors to use the Sherpa, as well as addressing parking problems

• Developing Young Rangers, Voluntary Warden and Ambassador Schemes

• Develop a brand together with encouraging and promoting local produce

• Produce an All Year Tourism Strategy

• Develop a one-stop-shop for digital information about Snowdon

• Increasing the number of Welsh speakers working in the outdoor sector.

Helen Pye of the partnership, said: “Snowdon has a special place in the heart of the nation and people have a strong and passionate view on how to look after it.

Working closely together, we have balanced the needs of our communities, leisure, farming and conservation, safeguarding and enhancing the mountain for the next generation at the same time.

“Our hope now is to ensure that the whole of Wales will be able to understand, respect and enjoy Snowdon responsibly, safeguarding its future at the same time.”

Launching the plan, Hannah Blythyn added: “The Snowdon Partnership Plan has brought together experience and expertise, and will help ensure we preserve the enjoyment of Yr Wyddfa for generations to come.

“I congratulate all partners involved and I look forward to working with the Partnership to achieve this vision for Yr Wyddfa by 2030.”