Well-known local figures speak for and against new National Park to BBC

* Town crier Chem is interviewed by the BBC on the station in April.

Three well-known Llangollen figures have had their say about plans for the proposed new Glyndwr National Park which would include this area.

Back in April David Hennigan, trust manager of Llangollen & Corwen Railway and also a director of the Eisteddfod, Austin 'Chem' Cheminais, the town crier, and Phil Robinson, who runs llanblogger, were all interviewed about the controversial proposal in a special BBC Wales programme aired yesterday (Monday).

In it former BBC Radio Wales Country Focus presenter Mel Doel OBE delved deeper into the communities who may find themselves near or inside the planned fourth Welsh National Park, gathering voices that reveal both affection for the landscape and unease about what designation might bring.

In Llangollen she spoke first to David Hennigan during another busy day on the railway.

He said he was for the new park on the basis that it would attract new opportunities and tourists, adding that the railway was ready to embrace these opportunities.

"It would bring the infrastructure together and we are thoroughly for it," he stressed.

* Producer Mel Dole speaks to Phil Robinson on the station platform.

Taking the opposing view was Phil Robinson who said that most of the local authorities within the area of the park had already rejected the proposal, including Llangollen Town Council, of which he is a member and where had spoken against when it came up for discussion.

On a sunny day when the town was packed with visitors, he said: "On a day like today the traffic system is overwhelmed as are the public toilets. We can't cope already.

"There are advantages in terms of preserving and enhancing the environment and the landscape but these are greatly outweighed by the disadvantages of so many more tourists coming to a town which is already thronging."

* David Henningan welcomes the BBC crew to Llangollen.

Town crier Chem admitted he had mixed feelings about the plan, explaining: "I understand the arguments against it because on a day like today there is a continuous line of traffic looking for parking.

"But on balance I am in favour  in terms of the resources it might bring to help us manage. I think if money comes with the National Park it must stay in Llangollen and the surrounding area.

"We are already in a Site of Scientific Interest, we have a World Heritage site and we are also an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, so it would help us manage all these things."

The producer later boarded a train from Llangollen bound for Corwen where she spoke to more people both for and against the park.

* To listen to the programme, go to: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002yhqt