GRIDLOCK caused by summer traffic as people head to a seaside hotspot calls for “outside the box thinking” to solve the problem, say councillors.

Ynys Llanddwyn in Anglesey attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year.

But getting to and from the island has long been an issue, with the only public vehicle access to the car park being the narrow road leading from Newborough along Church Street.

According to local traders, delays of up to 30 minutes have been reported during the height of summer in Newborough as motorists try to manoeuvre from one end of the village to the other.

Gridlock has been known to be an even bigger problem when a large congregation convenes at St Peter’s Church.

Cllr Bryan Owen, who represents Bro Aberffraw on Anglesey Council, said: “We want to alleviate the pressure on the village. There are times when it’s bumper to bumper in Newborough itself.

“This has an effect on locals and businesses, with people struggling to reach the church.”

Fellow Bro Aberffraw councillor Peter Rogers added: “It’s absolutely chock a block now, which is down to the extra footfall as a result of the popularity of Ynys Llanddwyn.

“It’s a wonderful area but we just can’t manage the traffic going through, and its impacting nowhere more than the local church.

“There has to be a one-way system down into Llanddwyn and to find an alternative way of getting cars out of there.”

One of the suggestions made by the local members is that an access route near Llyn Parc Mawr, located between Newborough and Malltraeth, could be opened to general traffic as a one-way route away from Llanddwyn. An alternative option, says Cllr Owen, is to surface a local walking path near Pen Lon. If either suggested route is adopted, the current road used by traffic heading to Llanddwyn would be retained as a one-way system only.

A spokesperson for Anglesey council said: “We have met with the local councillors and community council and are currently working together with Natural Resources Wales to find a resolution that will help ease the congestion.” Natural Resources Wales were asked for comment.