Having raised concerns with the Deputy Director and Head of Cadw about Dolwyddelan Castle remaining closed to the public, Janet Finch-Saunders, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy, has criticised the negative response received from Dawn Bowden MS, Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, and Chief Whip.
The Deputy Minister has advised that:
“Cadw has been unable to secure a new key keeper for the monument and due to concerns for the safety of visitors accessing the upper areas of the Castle at all times of the day and night, unfortunately the internal space of the Castle has had to be kept locked.
“Cadw regrets the current situation but hopefully it will only be temporary as Cadw continues to search for a new key keeper from the local community who can manage the locking and unlocking of the Castle”.
Commenting on the closure of the castle, Janet said:
“Tourism is worth around £900million to Conwy County annually, generated from 9.5 million visitors. One key element of the thriving sector is the fantastic variety of attractions across the area, including Dolwyddelan Castle.
“The fortress is also of huge significance to the history of Wales and is a lasting memorial to Llywelyn the Great.
“Clearly, the castle can be understood as playing a vital role in ensuring that as many visitors and locals as possible learn about the Welsh princes. It is therefore unacceptable that Cadw are keeping the portcullis closed.
“I support the aim of finding a local key keeper, but whilst the position is being advertised, existing Cadw staff should be required to visit the fortress to open it up to the public. Even if this requires reduced opening hours, it is better than what we have at present!”
ENDS
Ar ôl codi pryderon gyda Dirprwy Gyfarwyddwr a Phennaeth Cadw bod Castell Dolwyddelan ar gau o hyd i’r cyhoedd, mae Janet Finch-Saunders, yr Aelod o’r Senedd dros Aberconwy, wedi beirniadu’r ymateb negyddol a dderbyniwyd gan Dawn Bowden AS, y Gweinidog Celfyddydau a Chwaraeon a’r Prif Chwip.
Dywedodd y Dirprwy Weinidog:
“Nid yw Cadw wedi gallu dod o hyd i geidwad allwedd newydd i’r heneb ac yn sgil pryderon am ddiogelwch ymwelwyr sy’n dod i rannau uchaf y Castell ar bob adeg o’r dydd a’r nos, rydym wedi gorfod cloi gofod mewnol y Castell yn anffodus.
“Mae Cadw yn siomedig gyda’r sefyllfa sydd ohoni ond gobeithio mai sefyllfa dros dro yn unig yw hi wrth i Cadw chwilio am geidwad allwedd newydd o’r gymuned leol a all reoli’r gwaith o gloi a datgloi’r Castell.”
Gan roi ei sylwadau ar gau’r castell, dywedodd Janet:
“Mae twristiaeth yn werth oddeutu £900 miliwn i Sir Conwy bob blwyddyn, diolch i’r 9.5 miliwn o ymwelwyr. Un elfen allweddol o’r sector llewyrchus yw amrywiaeth ragorol yr atyniadau ledled yr ardal, gan gynnwys Castell Dolwyddelan.
“Mae’r gaer o arwyddocâd enfawr i hanes Cymru ac yn gofeb barhaus i Llywelyn Ein Llyw Olaf.
“Yn amlwg, mae gan y castell rôl hanfodol yn yr ymdrech i sicrhau bod cymaint o ymwelwyr a phobl leol â phosibl yn cael dysgu am dywysogion Cymru. Felly, mae’n annerbyniol bod Cadw yn cadw’r porthcwlis ar gau.
“Rwyf o blaid yr ymdrech i ddod o hyd i geidwad allwedd lleol, ond tra bod y swydd yn cael ei hysbysebu, dylai fod yn ofynnol i staff Cadw ymweld â’r gaer i’w hagor i’r cyhoedd. Hyd yn oed os yw hyn yn golygu bod rhaid cwtogi’r oriau agor, mae’n well na’r sefyllfa sydd ohoni!”
DIWEDD
