Demolition officially began today on a cloud cloaked Snowdon summit, of what was once famously described by Prince Charles as Wales's "Highest slum". The Welsh Assembly Minister for Environment, Planning and Countryside, Carwyn Jones struck a series of symbolic blows to the exterior of the existing cafe complex and former hotel. Carwyn Jones was joined by Minister for Finance, Local Government and Public Services, Sue Essex. It wasn't quite as dramatic as the Berlin Wall coming down but did mark the start of work on the new £8.3 million replacement building.


Hard hitting politics from Welsh Assembly Minister, Carwyn Jones,
on Snowdon's summit.

The Welsh Assembly Government are supporting the project with £3 million along with £4 million from the European Regional Development Fund. Other support is coming from Visit Wales, the Snowdonia National Park Authority, the Snowdon Mountain Railway Company and an ongoing public appeal.


Park Chairman, Caerwyn Roberts, speaking at the 'demolition ceremony' on Snowdon summit.

Carwyn Jones took the opportunity to make a personal first by walking up to the top for the ceremony, while Sue Essex travelled on a packed train from Llanberis that included among others the press, film crews, architects, Park officials and local school-children.

It was an important day for the Snowdonia National Park Authority who have driven the re-development forward and at times were seriously concerned it would not happen owing to a lack of funding. Aneurin Phillips, Chief Executive of the Park, said: "It has been a very long journey for us and we have been deeply encouraged by the amount of support we have received since the project began five years ago. Today, we are now a step nearer in seeing our dream come true as this ugly building will be replaced with a new, high quality and sustainable one."


Ray Hole, architect responsible for the new building with Minister Carwyn Jones
outside Sir Clough Williams-Ellis 'concrete bunker'.