Parking warning at beach after vehicles submerged

People are being urged to park carefully and "treat the sea and coastline with respect" after three vehicles were caught out by the tide just days apart at the same beach.

A campervan left at Traeth y Greigddu, also known as Black Rock Sands, near Porthmadog was submerged on Friday 13 June, while another was rescued just in time on Sunday 8 June.

A VW Beetle was also swamped by the tide on Saturday 14 June.

While parking is allowed at the beach, Cyngor Gwynedd has urged beachgoers to check tide times and avoid parking below the high tide line, warning that stuck vehicles may incur recovery costs.

Drivers pay £8 to park their cars at Traeth y Greigddu and £16 for caravans, but some still venture into restricted soft sand areas despite clear warnings.

Kevin Gibson, who lives in Morfa Bychan and walks the beach daily with his dogs, said he had seen about six vehicles stuck in the sand so far this year.

He believes many tourists underestimate how fast the tide moves and ignore the council's warning signs.

While recovery companies usually retrieve the stranded vehicles the following day, locals sometimes attempt to help, Mr Gibson added.

On the evening of Saturday 14 June he received a call from a woman whose VW Beetle was stuck, but as he no longer does vehicle recoveries he advised her to contact the council using the details on the beach entrance signs.

"She said she was staying at a local campsite and didn't really know the area," he said.

"This is the third time in a week here.

"I do feel sorry for them - these are often expensive vehicles, and I'm not sure what the situation is with insurance in these cases," he added.

Dillon Green, from Liverpool, has had a caravan near Morfa Bychan beach for five years.

He also runs a recovery company and said he often received calls from stressed drivers who have spotted his truck and contact details when he visits his caravan each weekend.

Mr Green said: "I've been going there for five years in a recovery truck and never got stuck myself so I don't understand how people do it.

"I have definitely seen a rise in the amount of cars getting stuck.

"It's almost every weekend."

Mr Green said even if people were stuck at the top of the beach it is usually not a problem, but down at the bottom the tide comes in fast and can trap vehicles quickly.

"People often panic and make it worse by accelerating, which just digs the wheels in deeper," he added.

Most of the time Mr Green said he could pull them out with the winch, but if the tide gets them, the car is "usually ruined".

A spokesperson for Cyngor Gwynedd, which manages the beach, said while the council welcomed everyone to its "beautiful" beaches and coastal areas, it wants "everyone to enjoy themselves safely".

Visitors are urged to check the weather forecast, tide times, and to "treat the sea and coastline with respect".

Motorists should avoid parking below the high tide line and remain alert to changing conditions, the council added.

Despite "multiple signs" warning of potential dangers and vehicle restrictions, the local authority said some drivers still become stuck in soft sand or rising tides, often after ignoring advice.

The spokesperson said: "Where possible, during staffed hours, council officers will endeavour to recover any vehicles that get into such difficulties.

"However, in some cases it may be necessary to seek assistance from a third-party contractor, for which the driver or owner of the vehicle would be responsible for the associated costs.

"Beach wardens will be on duty daily from 27 June to 6 September, and the beach barrier will close at 8pm each evening to "prevent vehicles gaining access to the beach."