Diggers 'spoiling view' for tourists on Conwy Quay

Jun 24 2010 by Richard Evans, North Wales Weekly News

JCB work spoils Conwy Quay

TOURISTS enjoying the hot weather on Conwy Quay complained of unsightly JCBs and the beach being fenced off.

During the last week Conwy County Council has undertaken work to remove a build-up of silt from the beach.

The Weekly News understands the work would have been carried out sooner, but a licence, issued by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), was slow to materialise.

The Conwy River is clogged by silt, meaning boat users struggle to reach their vessels during low water.

It’s feared that without the clear-out, mooring lettings as well and the local economy could suffer.

But the emergency work has meant the beach has been fenced and coned off with three large JCBs working through the day.

Mark Brown, 23, was visiting Conwy on a day trip from New Brighton and was disappointed that the work was being carried out during the summer months.

“It is a bit stupid doing the work now in the summer time with tourism and everything, it looks horrible,” he said.

“Why can’t they do it during the autumn or winter when the weather isn’t hot and there is nobody here?”

John Roberts was visiting from Flint: “You can’t beat Conwy. I love sitting on the quay with an ice cream, chips or a beer at the pub.

“But they’ve sectioned half the beach and quay off. I can understand if the work is a necessity but with all these fences and cones it doesn’t look as picturesque.”

Conwy councillor Tony Tobin said the work was unavoidable.

“In fairness I know the beach has been silting up around the jetty and I think it is a case of necessity. If we want boats to be able to come by the jetty it’s something which needs to be done,” he said.

“If we can’t let people use their boats that will also be detrimental to Conwy.”

A spokeswoman for Conwy County Council said the work was being completed as soon as possible.

“Work is underway to move accumulated sand. This is due to be completed by the school holidays,” she said.