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Joe Roberts Recreation Advisor

Afon Ddu Gorge: Lessons for venues under pressure?. Joe Roberts Recreation Advisor. The Gorges of Wales.

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Joe Roberts Recreation Advisor

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  1. Afon Ddu Gorge: Lessons for venues under pressure? Joe Roberts Recreation Advisor

  2. The Gorges of Wales The gorges of Wales are often very rich in biodiversity. They are the only surviving remnants of the Atlantic woodlands, sometimes referred to as the last of our “temperate rainforests”. Their damp and humid nature makes them perfect habitats for lower plants and their relative inextensibility means that the surrounding woodland is at a level of maturity not often seen on these shores.

  3. The Afon Ddu

  4. Gorge Walking • Aka – Canyoneering, Gorge Scrambling or Ghyll Scrambling • Run by many outdoor centres or provider in wales as an activity for all ages and all different types of group (from primary schools children to stag do’s) • ‘This activity… generates spontaneous excitement and challenge, providing unlimited opportunities for personal, social and environmental awareness to take place.’ (Pat Keighley, 2004)

  5. Afon Ddu Gorge - History 1990s 2008 2010 Counters & Site Surveys 2011 2012

  6. Perceptions of impact Chris Hooper, 2012 ‘Afon Ddu was certainly noted by the expert panel as being of greatest concern from an environmental impact perspective out of case study venues highlighted in this study.’ Rod Gritten, 2012 ‘Despite the estimated high volume of usage of the Afon Ddu Gorge, itsdiverse ‘temperate rainforest’ flora remains remarkably intact. Indeed, there is some evidence that it is both flourishing and perhaps even improving.’

  7. The study There were two parts to the study: An exploration into current use of the site and perceptions of crowding A review of the current use and effectiveness of the interpretation panel at the beginning of the gorge.

  8. Part 1: Use of the gorge Afon Ddu 16,690 2,500 (or an average of 64 ppd) Ceunant Lennyrch Afon Sychryd > 50 ppd

  9. Value of the AfonDdu The average GBTS (2012) and GBDVS (2012) value of £32 for an ‘organised adventure sport’ session (which includes the activities of canyoning and gorge walking). 15,173 x 32 = £485,536 – direct spend Snowdonia Active estimates £3.10 extra spent in North Wales for every £1 spent on an activity, that would bring the £32 to £99.20 15,173 x 99.20 = £1,505,162 – value to local economy?

  10. Monthly breakdown

  11. Exit Use Bottom Exit Middle Exit 36% 31% 33% Afon Ddu Gorge People Counter Map Top Exit

  12. Exit use breakdown

  13. Afon Ddu – Crowding Score

  14. Hourly Crowding Breakdown Daily total: 68 Daily total: 88

  15. Capacity: Lesson Learnt • The question of whether numbers in in busy venues need to be reduced is never a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. • Capacity issues occur at ‘pinch points’ that can be affected by the time of year,  day of the week, hour of the day and even weather • These ‘pinch points’ caused by fluctuations in numbers are also affected by user perception and the relationship between users • Management of venues needs to look at patterns of use before considering interventions

  16. Education: Lesson Learnt • Interpretational mapping alone is not an effective way of highlighting environmental sensitivity • The educational value of information about Outdoor Activity Venues should always be considered • A multifaceted approach to communication messages offers more opportunity to tailor advice to suit the audience • Ideally, the creation of advice should be user led – possibly through organisations such as the North Wales Environmental Outdoor Charter Group

  17. Conclusion • The things that make outdoor activity venues beautiful places to be often mean that they are of high conservation value • However, their value to society in terms of their contribution to health, well being and the economy is clear • Use of these venues varies greatly and taking a blanket approach to managing them will often be counterproductive • Outdoor instructors are skilled leaders and, given the right advice in the way that suits them, can run activities in sensitive environments sustainably.

  18. Howto contact us Phone: 0300 065 3000 E-mail: enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk Web: www.naturalresourceswales.gov.uk Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and Youtube on NatResWales

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