Fury as seaside work is unfinished

Aug 1 2002 By Helen Harper, Caernarfon And Denbigh Herald

RESIDENTS of a popular seaside village are angry that standard work has not been done to the area, despite the start of the summer season.

The residents and business owners of Dinas Dinlle are amazed that even though dogs are banned from the beach during the summer months, signs about the ban are nowhere to be seen, and consequently the ruleis not being followed.

Another gripe they have with Gwynedd Council is that although a special boardwalk has been built to make access to the beach easier,the ramp has not been put in place and has been kept in storage for the last few months.

Christine Legg, from Dinas Grills, said: "We are in the height of the holiday season, and it will be over before the work gets done. Dinas Dinlle is in a general state, but these little things should be sorted out now, because people are more likely to take dogs onto the beach. Also people can't get onto the beach although the boardwalks have been made, they are just waiting to be put out.

Gwynfor Roberts, who lives in the village, added: "The boardwalks should be on the beach, not still in storage because elderly people and children can't get on the beach. And arule has been passed that no dogs are allowed in Dinas Dinlle, but there are no signs there. I can't take my grandson to the playground because there are dogs all over the place."

A spokesman for Gwynedd Council said: "The dog by-laws have not been passed by the Welsh Assembly as yet. Despite this, it is the warden's duty to ensure that people do not walk their dogs on the beach between the two sea walls.

"The warden is on duty fro m Monday to Friday, between 10.30am and 1pm, and 2pm and 4pm (apart from Wednesday, which is a rest day) and on Saturdays and Sundays, between 10am and 1pm, and 1.30pm and 6pm.

"This rule is hard to enforce when the warden is not on duty.

"We have bought boardwalks for a small section of the beach to ease access. These will be sited by contractors as soon as possible."