Original by Jez Hemming, Daily Post - https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/upgrade-road-before-s…
(Photo - Daily Post)
Aberconwy AM Janet Finch-Saunders says £100k offered by hotel developers should be used to improve the Tyn y Groes to Tal y Cafn route
Road upgrade work must be carried out before a surfer's hotel is built, an AM has urged.
The developers behind the project to build the Surf Snowdonia hotel in Dolgarrog have pledged £100,000 for improvements to be made to the B5279 between Tyn y Groes and Tal y Cafn, Conwy.
Aberconwy AM Janet Finch-Saunders wants Conwy Council to use that cash now to ensure the road is able to cope with the number of visitors expected to stay at the 106-bed facility.
Mrs Finch-Saunders said she has written to Conwy Council Leader Gareth Jones asking for clarity on when and how the road works will proceed.
The money offered by the developers, called a "section 106" payment, is to offsetting any impact on local communities, such as an increase in road use.
She said: "Whilst I welcome this exciting economic development, and the extra jobs it should create in the Conwy Valley, there is an existing concern which does need addressing.
"Given that the road is already prone to motor mayhem due to its numerous pinch points, I welcome the fact that it is included in the addendum report that a £100,000 contribution would be made for highway improvements if the application was approved.
"However, correspondence with the local authority has revealed that Conwy currently has no plans to undertake any improvement scheme on the B5279.
"The information I have been provided with completely contradicts what I and many residents regards as a potentially vitally important section 106 agreement.
"I have written to the leader of the council asking that the communities who would be affected by the possible increase in traffic on the B5279 are provided with much needed clarity about highway improvements."
A council spokesman said plans for road improvements were "yet to be finalised".
Under the scheme a 106-bedroom Hilton Garden Inn would open next to the lagoon along with a wellness spa and conference facilities.
The proposals are expected to go before Conwy's planning committee in early 2019 and have been recommended for approval.
A spokesman for Conwy County Council said: "We can confirm that plans for a Section 106 scheme relating to Surf Snowdonia have yet to be finalised, but are likely to involve traffic calming and pedestrian improvements at the B5106/B5279 junction."
