Estate in Kinmel Bay cursed by poor roads

Mar 18 2010 by Ian Hughes, North Wales Weekly News

A CAMPAIGN to improve the pavements and roads in Sandy Cove in Kinmel Bay is still being fought – after 40 years.

Cllr Ken Stone claims there are no pavements on the estate, and some of the paths are just gravel.

As the land is owned by a private charity, the £3.5m needed to make the improvements seems out of reach.

“It’s been carrying on for about 40 years now,” said Cllr Stone.

“About 80% of the people who live on the estate are elderly and the conditions are not suitable for them.”

He added: “There’s no pavements and the paths are just gravel. We always have residents falling and having accidents. In some cases there have been broken bones.”

The 250-house estate was built in the 1930s. The land is owned by the Towyn and Kinmel Bay Community Association. As it is not council land, coming across a solution has been difficult.

A 2005 survey estimated that the improvement work would cost around £3.5 million.

“The residents do a lot of fundraising. They just spent £2,000 filling pot holes themselves,” said Cllr Stone.

“But this type of work doesn't last and as soon as the rain comes it gets washed away. It’s a fabulous community and a shame they have to suffer like this.”

A meeting was recently held between councillors and deputy housing minister Jocelyn Davies to discuss possible solutions.

Cllr John Bevan believes it is good that the Assembly is now looking into the problem.

“The potential cost of the work is so high that it is positive to have authorities putting it on their agenda,” he said.

AM Darren Millar was also at the meeting, and said: “Residents should not have to put up with these conditions in the 21st century, especially the many on the estate with mobility and other health problems.

“We need action, not just warm words, from the Assembly Government – unless they can support the work that needs to be done to improve the roads, it is very unlikely we will see any change on the estate.”

Bill Dawson, chair of the residents’ association, is hopeful that a solution will be found soon.

“Politicians should have taken up this issue a long time ago.

“I hope to put this at the top of my priorities.”