Janet Finch-Saunders, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy is disappointed to learn that Conwy County Borough Council does not plan to return the sand to Llandudno’s North Shore in the near future.
After the debate at the end of March, there was optimism that the Council would recognise the significance of sand restoration beyond flood protection, aiming to revive the essence of the prized Queen of Welsh resorts.
However, in a somewhat ambiguous letter from Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change & Rural Affairs (please see below), there are figures that haven't been previously raised. Indeed, he makes reference to the restoration costing “14 times more” which is simply not true.
It seems now the Council have opted to bring forward the construction of the set-back wall at a cost of £5.2 million, which it must be noted would not be required until 2070.
Commenting on the news Janet said:
“This is absolutely unacceptable, not only are Conwy County Borough Council now spending money on a scheme which is only needed more than 40 years down the line but they are still unable to understand the wider economic and social benefits that restoring the sand would bring to Llandudno.
“Even more worrisome is that the Council has already assured me of allocating approximately £9 million on extra flood defences for the North Wales. Thus, I find it perplexing why they're allocating additional funds to unnecessary defences when there's a compelling argument to carefully prioritise the initial step of restoring the sand.
“It's crucial that we maintain transparency with the public concerning all aspects of public spending, so I'm deeply concerned that Conwy County Borough Council are falling short in this regard.
“This is why I will be writing to Conwy County Borough Council to try and ascertain exactly what is being planned and what money is being allocated. Clearly some oversight is required”
ENDS
Photo: Llandudno North Shore
Attached: Letter from Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change & Rural Affairs
Mae Janet Finch-Saunders, Aelod o'r Senedd dros Aberconwy, yn siomedig nad yw Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Conwy yn bwriadu dod â thywod yn ôl i Draeth y Gogledd Llandudno yn y dyfodol agos.
Wedi'r ddadl ddiwedd Mawrth, roedd gobaith y byddai'r Cyngor yn cydnabod arwyddocâd adfer tywod y tu hwnt i amddiffyn rhag llifogydd, gyda'r nod o adfywio un o berlau brenhines trefi glan môr Cymru.
Fodd bynnag, mae llythyr amwys ar y naw gan Huw Irranca-Davies A, Ysgrifennydd y Cabinet dros Newid Hinsawdd a Materion Gwledig, yn cynnwys ffigurau nad ydynt wedi'u codi o'r blaen. Yn wir, mae'n cyfeirio at y ffaith fod y gwaith adfer yn costio "14 gwaith yn fwy" sydd ddim yn wir.
Erbyn hyn, mae'n ymddangos bod y Cyngor wedi dewis cyflwyno'r gwaith o adeiladu'r wal atal ar gost o £5.2 miliwn, na fyddai'n ofynnol tan 2070.
Wrth sôn am y newyddion dywedodd Janet:
“Mae hyn yn gwbl annerbyniol, gyda Chyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Conwy nid yn unig yn gwario arian ar gynllun nad oes ei angen am 40 a mwy o flynyddoedd i’r dyfodol ond yn dal i fethu deall manteision economaidd a chymdeithasol ehangach adfer tywod i Landudno.
“Yn fwy pryderus fyth, mae'r Cyngor eisoes wedi fy sicrhau eu bod yn dyrannu tua £9 miliwn ar amddiffynfeydd llifogydd ychwanegol yng ngogledd Cymru. Felly dwi'n methu'n lân â deall pam maen nhw'n dyrannu arian ychwanegol i amddiffynfeydd diangen pan mae dadl gref i flaenoriaethu'r cam cychwynnol o adfer y tywod.
“Mae'n hollbwysig ein bod ni'n glir gyda'r cyhoedd ynghylch pob agwedd ar wariant cyhoeddus, felly rwy'n poeni'n fawr bod Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Conwy yn methu yn hyn o beth.
“Dyna pam y byddaf yn ysgrifennu at Gyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Conwy i geisio canfod yn union beth sydd ar y gweill a pha arian sy'n cael ei ddyrannu. Mae'n amlwg bod angen rhywfaint o oruchwyliaeth ar hyn.”
DIWEDD
