Bridge closure forces Llandudno Extravaganza route change

Feb 25 2010 by Our Correspondent, North Wales Weekly News

Extravaganza change

TRAFFIC problems caused by work on replacing the Maesdu Road bridge mean Llandudno’s Victorian Extravaganza parade will follow a different route this year.

Traditionally the parade starts at the railway station and goes up Madoc Street, along Gloddaeth Street and down the promenade.

But fears of major traffic snarl-ups on the busy May Bank Holiday weekend mean this year it will start and finish in Clonmel Street.

“I’m a bit concerned that this decision to change the normal route of the parade will have an adverse effect on businesses in Madoc Street,” said Brian Bertola, chair of the town council’s community services and tourism committee.

“They have always supported the Extravaganza but may lose out because the parade will now pass them by.”

But other councillors said the route change had been made after consultations with county highways officers and the police.

“It was considered that because of the bridge closure, if the parade started as it usually does at the station there could be a bottleneck at the bottom of Builder Street.

“This decision was made to alleviate possible traffic problems,” said Cllr Greg Robbins.

And Cllr Alun Barrett commented: “Since the bridge closed Builder Street has been one of the busiest routes into the town.

“As a result there have often been long tailbacks in Vaughan Street and the parade would make this worse.

“It’s only for one year and there is no alternative but to go along with it.”

The Extravaganza is on May 1-3. Further details are available from the website www.victorian-extravaganza.co.uk