Visitors who flout parking restrictions at Snowdonia National Park risk having their vehicles towed away, police have warned.
It comes as nearly 200 people received fixed penalty notices on Sunday after their vehicles were found blocking traffic on the A4086.
The Pen-y-Pass car park in Snowdonia was full even before sunrise, with images flooding social media showing dozens of cars parked along the side of the mountain road.
The council's cabinet member for the environment, Councillor Gareth Griffith, confirmed that 180 parking fines were dished out at Pen y Pass alone.
Meanwhile, officers from North Wales Police said they had to attend the Nant Peris Pass to assist colleagues from Cyngor Gwynedd Council after more than 500 vehicles had been parked on the roadside.
Ahead of the weekend, signs are being installed to warn motorists that those who flout the rules are liable to be towed by the police, and cones will also be placed to discourage parking on the highway.
From Saturday, July 25, the Sherpa bus service linking the area’s main car parks with various summit paths will be running every 15 minutes between 6.45am and 6.40pm and walkers are asked to use the service to access Pen-y-pass.
On weekends, the car-park at Pen-y-pass will become a drop-off site for buses and taxis to encourage walkers to park in Llanberis and Nant Peris and use the Sherpa bus services.
Superintendent Neil Thomas of North Wales Police said: “We are working closely with our colleagues at Gwynedd Council and the National Park to help reduce the risk to walkers, cyclists and other road users.
“The measures have been put in place to maximise public safety. This is a 60mph area and the irresponsible and dangerous parking we saw last weekend not only risked lives but also would have prevented emergency vehicle access.
“Whilst we appreciate that people are getting out and about more now that the travel restrictions have lifted, we are urging people to be responsible and think about where they park and to make full use of the park and ride facilities that are available.
“Anybody found to be parked on the clearway or causing an obstruction will have their vehicle removed at their own expense. Please heed the warning.”
