Colwyn Bay Waterfront Redevelopment

[SteveH]

Promenade road will be closed until 2024 as extra coastal defence work funding secured
Conwy council has secured extra money from the Welsh Government to start phase two of the work at Old Colwyn

This work will extend the rock barricade by 350m and raise the promenade and road two metres higher than the current level, between Rotary Way and Splash Point (by Old Colwyn Arches). It will also include new lighting and benches, improved parking, a wider shared space for pedestrians and cyclists, new surfacing and railings.

It will mean the closure of the prom will be extended for another 18 months.

Read more  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/promenade-road-closed-until-2024-24494311

[SteveH]

Colwyn Bay school secures new sailing facility at Porth Eirias

RYDAL Penrhos has announced that a new state-of-the art sailing facility for the school will be opening at Porth Eirias in 2023.

Sailing has been an integral part of education at Rydal Penrhos for more than 60 years and a new partnership with Conwy Country Borough Council will see a much-upgraded facility at Porth Eirias.

Having recently secured a top inspection rating as an RYA (Royal Yachting Association) Training Centre, the school has now also agreed a long lease which will see the current changing area converted into a classroom, pupil and staff changing rooms with showers, kit storage and a drying room.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23186287.colwyn-bay-school-secures-new-sailing-facility-porth-eirias/

[SteveH]

A 'mini-pier' is taking shape off the coastline of North Wales as part of a multi-million pound sea defence scheme. Around ?9m is being spent on the major project along Old Colwyn promenade, which started back in 2021.

Contractors hired by Conwy County Borough Council are installing a rock barricade from Rotary Way to Splash Point to protect the prom from rough seas and high tides. The new barricade will be up to two metres higher than the current promenade level - with parts of the prom raised.

There will be step access to the beach through the new defences. In addition a fishing platform - described as a 'mini-pier' by one local is being erected.

This won't be much smaller than the new short pier that replaced the derelict Victoria Pier after it partially collapsed during Storm Doris in 2017 and was then removed. The platform will cater for fishermen at Splash Point.

But it will also allow others access to enjoy the sea views. Work is being backed by the Welsh Government?s Resilient Roads Fund and Local Transport Fund.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/mini-pier-takes-shape-part-26172648?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

See above photo

[SteveH]

Wales' shortest pier branded an 'empty diving board' but big plans lie ahead
Many people love the miniature pier, others are still wondering if it was worth the bother

A Mini-Me seaside pier continues to divide opinion in the Conwy coastal resort where it was built. Two years ago, Colwyn Bay?s damaged pier was replaced by a shortened version and while many people applauded the move, others still can?t see the point of it.

The 132ft pier is comfortably the shortest in Wales and is officially the second shortest in the UK. At just 90ft, Burnham-on-Sea Pier, Somerset, claims to be the most diminutive ? but most pier enthusiasts say it?s merely a beach pavilion on legs.

Viewed from above, Colwyn Bay pier has a sleek outline uncluttered by benches and sales kiosks. Critics complain it barely reaches the sea. ?I can?t say I love it or hate it ... but what the hell is it for?? pondered one local on social media. ?It?s an empty diving board, basically.?

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/wales-shortest-pier-branded-empty-26445037

[SteveH]

Work on ?35m promenade and sea defence project starts to take shape
Progress is being made on the current phase of the Old Colwyn coastal defence scheme

Conwy Council has shared fresh images of the work, showing the scale of the Old Colwyn coastal defence scheme that will see the prom road closed until 2024. Work started on the improvements to the eastern section of the promenade - the section most at risk of collapse - back in May 2021.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/work-35m-promenade-sea-defence-26636941?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Aerial shots capture latest progress made on 35m North Wales promenade and sea defence project
The work will see the prom road at Old Colwyn closed until 2024

cont and photos  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/gallery/aerial-shots-capture-latest-progress-26741735

[SteveH]

CONWY County Borough Council has overseen the installation of new benches on Colwyn Bay Pier.

The benches have been funded through the Welsh Government Brilliant Basics fund and Conwy County Borough Council.

Brilliant Basics is a capital fund to deliver small-scale tourism infrastructure improvements across Wales.

The design and colour scheme of the twelve benches is sympathetic to the design of the balustrades from the original Grade II listed pier.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/colwyn_bay/23542278.new-benches-installed-council-along-colwyn-bay-pier/

[SteveH]

FILMING took place at Colwyn Bay's truncated Victoria Pier as part of ITV Wales documentary - Vanished Wales.

Many people shared their memories as part of the programme which highlights "lost landmarks of Wales" and the heritage that has disappeared from towns and cities.

Pat Owen, vice-chair of the Colwyn Victoria Pier Trust, said: "We were very honoured to be asked to take part. Carwyn Jones [series producer of Vanished Wales] contact us about doing a segment on the Pier, about the Pier and having people share their memories.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23716988.tv-crews-spotted-colwyn-bay-pier-filming-itv-series/

[SteveH]

THE campaign to rebuild Colwyn Bay?s famous pier in all its former glory takes a step further this month with the charity screening of an acclaimed film.

The documentary - Eric Ravilious - Drawn to War, directed by Margy Kinmonth, is the life story of renowned war artist Eric Ravilious. He was killed in an air crash during the second world war but not before he?d completed hundreds of paintings. They included some striking murals for Colwyn Bay?s old Victoria Pier; Ravilious painted murals alongside Mary Adshead. Prior to its dismantling [gales badly damaged the pier in 2017], some of the panels containing the murals were saved by Conwy County Borough Council and their restoration - or a homage to his work - form part of the trust's future plans to extend the current truncated pier.

Colwyn Bay Pier Trust have arranged a showing of the film at the town?s Theatr Colwyn on Thursday, September 7 at 7pm. All proceeds will go towards returning the pier to the town.

Tickets for the film are on sale online at www.theatrcolwyn.co.uk or telephone the box office on 01492 556677/872000.

Anyone who can?t attend the showing but would like to support the campaign to bring back the pier are invited to donate to office@pierbaecolwyn.org

There is also a donation button on the campaign?s website or donations can be left at the pier?s charity shop in Station Road, Colwyn Bay.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23753185.colwyn-bay-pier-trust-host-screening-eric-ravilious---drawn-war/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Old Colwyn promenade and coastal defence project nears end                            Ref pioneer

WORK on the Old Colwyn promenade and coastal defences is nearing completion, which is expected in early 2024.

The council have confirmed that the rock armour is now finishing around the fishing platform, with contractors having also built almost two thirds of the new, higher seawall (410m, with 260m to go).

Access steps and a ramp for the fishing platform are nearly completed, with construction continuing on other beach access steps in the area.

Contractors are continuing to add material to raise the level of the promenade.

A Conwy County Borough Council spokesperson said: "We expect this phase of the coastal defence work at Old Colwyn to be completed in early 2024."

 cont plus more photos https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23812940.old-colwyn-promenade-coastal-defence-project-nears-end/

[SteveH]

RESIDENTS have slammed the ?despicable? damage done to a bench on Colwyn Bay?s Victoria Pier.                  ref pioneer

A large part of a bench was snapped off, and was first reported by a member of the public to Colwyn Victoria Pier Trust Campaign, a charity which dedicated to the protection and redevelopment of the landmark.

The damage was then reported on to the council and harbourmaster, with the charity saying the bench ?will be removed and repaired?.
Damage was thought to have been caused by ?jumping repeatedly on the end of the plank?, the charity added.

This comes shortly after a bench in the town centre had seemingly been torn apart.

A trust spokesperson said: ?The council and harbourmaster are aware of the damage to the bench on the Pier.
?It will be removed and repaired - please be careful around it until then.?

Some residents criticised the vandalism, with one calling it ?despicable? while another was ?shocked and sad? to see it happen to their
 ?favourite place?.

[SteveH]

Old Colwyn promenade project progresses ahead of 2024 end date

The county council said its contractors have finished 97 per cent of the new higher sea wall, with just 30 metres left to do.

Material has been added to raise the promenade level, and the raising and realignment of the road is "coming along", with more than 50 per cent now kerbed.

Electrical cabling has been installed for the new lighting, with lighting columns to be installed, along with road and promenade surfacing, to be completed in "the next few weeks".

cont plus photos   https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23974883.old-colwyn-promenade-project-progresses-ahead-2024-end-date/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Old Colwyn promenade and coastal defence project nears completion

THE OLD Colwyn promenade and coastal defences is nearing the end, with its estimated completion early this year.

With the installation of rock armour around the fishing platform now complete, the finishing touches are being added to the new, higher seawall (almost 700m).

The area at the end of the seawall, below Rotary Way, will be filled with aggregate, while the seawall itself is in need of a tarmac surface.

Access steps and a ramp for the fishing platform have been completed, with construction continuing on other beach access steps in the area.

photo gallery......... https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/24067172.old-colwyn-promenade-coastal-defence-project-nears-completion/

Artist's impression of the work.

[SteveH]

'Work of art' path to sea as prom defences that will protect A55 and homes take shape
Local photographer Snowdon Curtis has been capturing the scheme at its various stages for months

A major coastal scheme is nearing completion after a multi-million pound investment. Work started on the improvements to the eastern section of the promenade at Old Colwyn - which was at risk of collapse - back in May 2021.

The investment was needed to protect homes, the A55 and North Wales main line - with Welsh Government stumping up millions towards the ?35m scheme. It runs from The Arches to Rotary Way.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/work-art-path-sea-prom-28517356?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

THE COASTAL path in Old Colwyn will be closed for several weeks as part of plans to connect it to the new promenade.

The path will be closed from the parking area by The Arches to the A55 footbridge, so that contractors can connect it to the newly-raised promenade.

Drivers have been told to follow a signed diversion via Station Road and Cliff Gardens, with the council expecting the path to reopen "later this month".

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/24097173.old-colwyn-coastal-path-set-several-weeks-closure/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589