January 01, 2020 - 1207 views
Following the announcement that £14.5million of active travel investment will be spent across Wales, a crucially important part of the scheme will now be making its way to Conwy County Borough Council for planning consideration and scrutiny.
Locally the key focus on Welsh Government investment has been on the Old Colwyn Promenade which has been said to be a very vulnerable state after years of coastal erosion and rising tides.
Determing who was responsible for ensuring that this essential stretch received investment to prevent further decay has been the subject of much debate and negotaition over the past 12 months.
Investment in Active travel involves making journeys by physically active means benefiting individuals and the environment.
£1,688,500 was confirmed for the Promenade which is expected to see improved active travel facilities while also protecting the infrastructure from being further damaged.
On the announcement Assembly Member Darren Millar said he was pleased that investment was now forthcoming but stressed that more would be needed in the longer term.
He said: "The cash falls well short of the overall total needed for a significant upgrade to the sea defences in Old Colwyn, but it is welcome none the less.
“The sea defences along Old Colwyn promenade play a vital role in protecting the main sewerage network, the A55 trunk road and the North Wales railway line. They have been in a very delicate state for over a decade and we've been warned time and time again by engineers that they are at risk of catastrophic failure at any time.
“Now that the funding has been agreed, work needs to start as soon as possible to ensure that Old Colwyn is no longer at risk.”
Cllr Cheryl Carlisle, who has also been repeatedly calling for improvements to the sea defences, added:
“My constituents have been very concerned about the sea defences in Old Colwyn for many years, so I know they will be as pleased as I am to hear of this funding from the Welsh Government.
"I will be working with colleagues at Conwy County Borough Council to see improvements delivered and look forward to the work finally getting underway!”
