Further to reports of additional damage sustained to the Llanfairfechan coastal path and sea wall over the weekend, the Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has written to the Leader of Conwy County Borough Council, Councillor Charlie McCoubrey, and the Welsh Government's Minister for Climate Change, Julie James MS, to review what assessment of the damage has been undertaken and what funding support will be made available.
At the time of the storm over the weekend, work had already begun to fix the damage caused to the public right of way and sea wall by a previous storm on 5th October 2021, which left several properties along West Shore Road more vulnerable to flooding.
Commenting on her letter, Janet said:
“Whilst I should like to commend Conwy County Borough Council’s Cabinet for their quick action to approve urgent repairs to the sea wall under the Building Act 1984, from concerns raised with my office, it does now appear that this latest torrid storm has washed away some of the railings, further parts of the path and parts of the work completed after Storm Arwen out to sea.
“Following my statement request to the Trefnydd, I have also written to the Minister for Climate Change asking for collaboration with the Minister for Finance and Local Government to review whether a long-term and ringfenced contingency budget can be established so to financially assist local authorities when unexpected and long-term damage does occur. I have also asked that she review the specific situation in Llanfairfechan.
“In writing to the Leader of the Council for clarity as to the assessment of damage undertaken after this most recent storm, and given the expected increase in such torrid weather and the impact that this will have on local infrastructure, I have also made clear that I will look again to question the First Minister on the issue of flooding contingency funding during the Senedd Plenary session this week. It is vital that we are proactive in this area."
The letter to Cllr. McCoubrey also requests an update on the Llandudno Coastal Defence Improvement bid being submitted by Conwy County Borough Council. A Cabinet meeting held on 8th June 2021 concluded with a resolution that Option 2 was identified as the single preferred option for the improvement works. This proposal would see the cobble bank removed between Children’s Corner and Vaughan Street and replaced by sand, which could be controlled by timber groynes.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
- Please find a copy of the two letters attached.
