Thousands of visitors bring cars to Snowdon's foothills every year

Car parks nearest the foot of Snowdon quickly fill up during the summer months, with many drivers parking illegally when spaces run out.

Under the scheme, drivers will be given information about car parks before reaching the busiest spots and bus services will become more frequent.

In 2001, plans to ban parking in busy areas prompted 1,000 complaints.

The 2005 ideas also include introducing pay-parking at some of the most popular sites nearest the main tourist areas.

If one went very sensitively and step by step then we might all agree on a solution Snowdonia hotelier Jane Pulley

Drivers would be given prior warning about whether these car parks were full a few miles before reaching them.

They would then have the chance to park at a more distant site and travel the final part of their trip by bus.

No new car parks could be created under the plans but there could be greater controls on illegal parking and better landscaping of parking areas.

Huw Percy, of the Green Key Initiative - an organisation made up of several official bodies - said: "By giving people advice and information it will make a lot of difference.

"People won't get frustrated making wasted journeys to a car park that's already full."

Jane Pulley, owner of the Pen-y-Gwryd Hotel at Nant Gwynant, said she believed the 2001 plans had not been properly thought out.

"I think you have to go very gently. If the bus services was advertised more, for example, I think you would find more people using it," she added.

"If one went very sensitively and step by step then we might all agree on a solution."

The plans are currently in the process of being approved by the Snowdonia Green Key Initiative, made up of Conwy council, the Countryside Council for Wales, Gwynedd council, Snowdonia National park Authority, the Welsh Development Agency and the Welsh Tourist Board.