|
Feature: Llanberis Downhill Project site evaluation report.
27/02/2003
1 INTRODUCTION
The following is an assessment of two sites proposed for the development of dedicated downhill facilities around the town of Llanberis in Snowdonia.
The assessment was carried out within the context of the proposed market.
The nature of the proposed market segment is as follows:
1.1 DOWNHILLERS/ FREERIDERS
This is a small, though very significant, group of cyclists that is growing rapidly. Downhillers and Freeriders are very highly skilled though not particularly fit riders who are interested only in the technical aspects of mountain biking.
They are predominantly young males of between 14 and 25 and they are likely to be involved with similar activities such as snowboarding, skateboarding or surfing.
This is a very specialised activity where technical challenge and speed is everything and increasingly the bikes are becoming more and more specialised themselves.
Downhill specific bikes are now available that, because of their weight and high gearing, are virtually impossible to pedal uphill but that make it possible for a skilled rider to ride down virtually any terrain.
This has led to Downhillers developing their own trails that can pose a challenge to them and their bikes, but are causing serious problems to landowners and countryside managers.
Freeriding is slightly different to Downhill in that it involves riders riding within a small area where there are ramps, jumps and drops.
Where these do not exist naturally Freeriders will build their own, often creating elaborate networks of trails and jumps in a small area.
These are changed and modified on a regular basis with riders often spending as much time digging and building jumps as actually riding.
Both Downhill and Freeriding are particularly prevalent in urban fringe areas.
Recent development of dedicated downhill facilities at Fort William and Innerleathan; both in Scotland have demonstrated that the market, though relatively small, is very high value and prepared to travel to dedicated facilities.
The fact that both Downhillers and Freeriders are happy to concentrate their activities within a relatively small area indicates that there is also a social aspect to this sort of riding with groups of riders preferring to congregate.
This can cause problems for other countryside users in these areas, particularly where visitor pressure is high.
Facilities focusing on the Downhill/Freeride market segment should meet the following criteria:
· Uplift to the top
· Easy access to the top and the bottom
· Challenging though not inherently unsafe riding
· Useable for events
· Waymarked and easy to follow
· Singletrack trails
· Rideable in all weather at all times of the year
2 ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
The assessment of the sites is based on the following criteria:
· Access - How accessible is the site to the potential market both in terms of the local and tourism markets.
· Uplift - Does uplift exist or is it possible to develop it.
· Facilities - What level of visitor facilities are available on site including parking, toilets and refreshments.
· Constraints and conflicts - What factors might seriously constrain the development of a viable mountain bike product and what conflicts or potential conflicts exist between different user groups.
· Existing mountain bike activity - Is the site currently used by mountain bikers and in what way.
· Ground Conditions - What is the soil type and the nature of the vegetation cover and how might this effect the feasibility of the development of the proposed facility.
· Elevation - How much elevation exists and is there sufficient to allow for the development of a viable product.
· Topography - What is the nature of the topography and does it allow for the development of a viable product and could it compliment any potential development.
2.1 DINORWIG
A huge area of abandoned slate quarries on the flanks of Elidir Fach, with a maze of huge quarry holes and pits, some open mountain and a network of tramways and tracks.
2.1.1 Access
The site is very accessible from the town of Llanberis in less than five minutes and from the A55 North Wales coast road in about 10 - 15 minutes.
2.1.2 Uplift
A well-surfaced road runs up to the top of the site and is the property of First Hydro the owners of the quarry itself.
2.1.3 Facilities
Visitor facilities are available at the bottom of the site at the National Slate Museum i.e. parking, toilets and refreshments in addition to parking in Llanberis itself. There is some parking available half way up the hill at Bus Stop Quarry some 10 minutes from Llanberis.
2.1.4 Constraints and Conflicts
The main constraint on development is likely to be the numerous quarry holes, unstable spoil heaps, archaeological interest and landowners liability concerns. There are also some issues relating to other recreational use of the area such as walking and rock climbing. There are also likely to be some visitor management issues around the bottom of the site.
2.1.5 Existing MTB activity
The site is extensively used by local riders for both cross-country and downhill both groups making use of the existing network of tracks and tramways.
2.1.6 Ground Conditions
Away from the quarry itself soils appear to be peaty glays with pockets of scree. In the quarry itself the whole area is slate with no soil profile and appears exceptionally well drained.
2.1.7 Elevation
680m to the highest point.
2.1.8 Topography
Very complex with many man made features such as quarry holes, some as deep as 100m, inclines and spoil heaps. Some areas of side slope varying between 30% and 100%.
2.1.9 Comments
This is an amazing and unique area with huge elevation and very unusual ground conditions. The existence of viable uplift is a major factor in influencing the feasibility of the development of a downhill product here. However there are very significant constraints on trail development, in particular the stability of the ground and the potentially high cost of construction, though this could well be cancelled out by the potentially very high quality of the product.
Another area for concern is effective visitor management at the bottom of the hill though this could be tackled through the development of dedicated facilities, but space is limited. It is likely to be possible to develop a very high quality downhill facility here and initial assessment suggests that the site should be fully evaluated.
2.2 GLYN RHONWY
This site was not fully assessed; a cursory assessment was made from the previous site from which it is visible
An area of abandoned slate quarries, open mountain and woodland with a network of tramways and tracks. The site is owned by Gwynedd County Council.
2.2.1 Access
The site is very accessible from the town of Llanberis via an industrial estate and from the A55 North Wales coast road in about 10 - 15 minutes.
2.2.2 Uplift
A well-surfaced road runs up to the top of the site.
2.2.3 Facilities
There is limited parking near the top of the site and some informal parking at the bottom.
2.2.4 Constraints and Conflicts
The main constraint on development is likely to be the numerous quarry holes and the boundaries of council land. There are also likely to be some visitor management issues around the bottom of the site.
2.2.5 Existing MTB activity
There appears to be no MTB activity at this site.
2.2.6 Ground Conditions
Soils are likely to be peaty glays on shallow side slopes and podslz on steeper slopes.
2.2.7 Elevation
300m to the highest point.
2.2.8 Topography
Side slopes of around 30 - 50% with numerous rocky knolls and re-entrants and many man made features such as quarry holes, inclines and spoil heaps.
2.2.9 Comments
There appear to be far fewer constraints on development here, and the abundant side slopes are likely to allow for far more cost-effective trail development. There also appears to be more room for the development of appropriate visitor facilities. Here again careful assessment is required.
Dafydd Davis 15/02/2003
feature archive |
