Pay and Display at Pen-Y-Fan?

The National Trust intends to submit a planning application later this year seeking to build a visitor centre at Pont ar Daf near Storey Arms and improve the car park's safety and security.

The Trust spends more than £100,000 a year on the upkeep of Pen y Fan and other parts of the Brecon Beacons, and says it has started the consultation process on the introduction of parking charges to the site. There will be opposition from Ramblers Cymru who have criticised the move, saying walking should be free and accessible for everyone.

The car park at Pont ar Daf was created in the 1960s after road improvements left a section of the A470 isolated from the main carriageway. It was soon adopted by walkers because it offered easy access to Pen y Fan.

"If you arrive at the car park you have access to the three most important things, a loo, a brew and a view," said National Trust property manager Philip Park. "If we are successful in gaining permission the offer will remain essentially the same, but it will be designed to meet the higher expectations of visitors to the area nowadays. We believe this development can really improve the enjoyment that visitors can experience in this wonderful part of Wales".

But director Angela Charlton said: "Ramblers Cymru are disappointed that the National Trust feel they have to start charging for parking. People have been freely walking Pen y Fan for many years. Ramblers Cymru works with groups such as Turning Point who use Pen y Fan for inspirational training for recovering addicts. We hope this will not have a detrimental effect."