Welsh Minister Visits Rockbridge

A holiday park at Presteigne welcomed James Evans MS for Brecon and Radnorshire, to discuss boosting tourism in the area. It comes as the Welsh Government are planning a visitor levy for Wales.

Glenn Jones who owns Rockbridge Country Park debated the subject of sustainable tourism, and how the visitor levy may impact the site.
"It's important to visit businesses like this in my constituency." James Evans said. "The tourism industry is a key part of the economy in Brecon and Radnor, but also across Wales. We have to ensure places are available for visitors to come and enjoy our countryside. A lot of the tourism businesses bring in a lot of employment.”

 The tourism levy, which the Welsh Government are proposing, will give local authorities the power to decide how they want to introduce the levy. No costs have been decided yet, and the Welsh Government say that measures are unlikely to come into force for several years if approved by the Senedd.

We’d be  shooting ourselves in the foot by taxing things that bring in income,” says Glenn: “If you get day visitors, they won't pay. They'll use the facilities and then leave. Whereas people on holiday will eat at local restaurants, support the area,  and boost the economy. But then they're going to get penalised. We don't like the tax.

Meanwhile work is well underway for 23 new holiday home lodges on this beautiful border park situated alongside the River Lugg. Rockbridge Park is only one mile away from the town of Presteigne on B4356. Glenn hopes that he can find a way for the park to be linked to the town. "Rockbridge Park has a beautiful setting, one mile away from Presteigne. They get business from us, but they'd get so much more if we had safe access from our park to the town. The road is dangerous and very narrow."
Whilst Glenn would love to see a pavement implemented, Mr Evans is instead keen to improve current infrastructure. "I think it's important we create those active travel routes. With the climate crisis we have at the minute, we need to ensure people have a way to walk and use bikes in a safe way. The infrastructure of the roads isn't wide enough for pavement. How we will do it will be difficult, and I don't think we will see pavement along the road.

"I'd love to see it happen, but with the financial footprint that the council and the Welsh Government have, I don't see that happening in the future. Are there ways in which a footpath can be upgraded to encourage people to walk, to cycle? That's the way we can do it. Improving existing infrastructure that's here, rather than putting new in. I'd much rather people walk around the countryside, and link it back to the town as well.”

Being the Shadow Minister for Mental Health, Mr Evans is keen to stress the importance of getting out into the Welsh countryside. With sweeping views of the Welsh mountains, Rockbridge Park is in prime position to do just that. "Going out for a walk in the countryside improves mental health. I think we need to find better ways to get people out and about. You're not in the hustle and bustle of the city. You can come here and listen to the river, and the birds, and have fresh air in your lungs. I've been open about my own struggles with my mental health and I find going for a walk helps me relax. We need to encourage people to use our countryside, and make it more accessible, so people can enjoy the countryside, enjoy life and enjoy being alive."

Rockbridge Park, which has lodges for sale, encourages people to visit the area to truly unwind.