Volunteers could revive Llandudno's West Shore

Jun 3 2010 by Judith Phillips, North Wales Weekly News

LLANDUDNO’S West Shore promenade could be revitalised if a new voluntary group gets off the ground.

Stung by criticism that the promenade area is neglected and run down, county councillors Margaret Lyon and John Boyle want to form a Friends of West Shore Group to find ways of making it more attractive.

“We recognise that the West Shore needs more done to look after it properly and that it has been neglected because of a lack of council investment,” said Cllr Lyon.

“We want to form this group and involve residents and the public, as has happened with Friends of Craig-y-Don Park where the residents have got together to bring about improvements.”

She said a voluntary organisation would be able to attract grant aid for approved projects which wasn’t available to the council.

“It’s something that has worked well elsewhere in the county and we are keen to hear any ideas that residents have for ways of improving the area,” she said.

Residents and visitors have complained that the West Shore has been for too long the North Shore’s poor relation and that its once pristine attractions have been allowed to deteriorate.

There has been indignation that wind-blown sand too often covers the promenade walkways, and fills the pool in front of the White Rabbit statue erected to commemorate the town’s links with the Liddell family, whose daughter Alice is believed to have inspire the Alice in Wonderland books.

Complaints have also been made that the boating pond was left empty last winter and became littered with unsightly rubbish which wasn’t cleared for weeks, and that the grassed area popular with picnickers was often covered in dog mess.

“As councillors we are constantly receiving complaints that the West Shore doesn’t get the attention the North Shore does and that not enough is done to make it attractive for both visitors and residents.

“There has recently been a positive step forward in that the county council has provided a new, modern toilet block there, but there is more that needs to be done to restore it to its former glory,” added Cllr Lyon.

The councillors have called a public meeting to discuss the formation of the group, which will be held at The Lilly Restaurant on West Parade at 7.30pm on Monday, June 14.