This news item appeared a couple of days ago, I'm pleased that lobbying from Forum members has helped to raise awareness of this problem. A cynical person might ask where the money allocated to pavement maintenance has been spent in previous years, being I can think of no major paving stone renewal that has taken place in the last 10 years, with the exception of the Lottery funded work around Prince Edward Square. I also recall that a large section of stone paving along the Prom was ripped up and replaced by tarmac about 2 years ago - so much for the Conservation Area!
Cracked and dangerous town centre pavements could cost up to £3m to replace, it has been revealed.But a Conwy County Council cabinet member has taken the first step towards getting Llandudno’s shattered footways repaired.
Cllr Mike Priestley has appointed a working group of officers from various departments to come up with a strategy to remedy the problem.
He said: “We’re looking at ways of improving the streetscape, and one of the priorities has to be the maintenance and reinstatement of pavements.”
But he stressed that finding the necessary funding wouldn’t be easy.
He explained: “We have £568,000 in the budget to maintain footways throughout the county, and for 2014/15 we are able to draw down additional funding of £415,000, but that can’t all be spent on one project.
“At this stage we are preparing a report which will look at a variety of issues, including funding.
“It may well be that we can attract some money from the European Union and the Welsh Government .
“The cost of the project is currently estimated at between £2m-£3m but that may well change depending on the type of materials used and any additional works that may be required.
“We will be looking at different types of paving that are available and what would best fit in a heritage town like Llandudno. It’s important that any work carried out is of good quality.”
He said cost implications would probably mean that any work would have to be phased over a period of time.
And he pointed out that responsibility for maintaining sections of the town centre pavements lay with owners of properties fronting them.
“Business owners are responsible for sections of pavement that fall within the curtilage of that property,” he added.
Once an initial report has been prepared the county council will then consult with Llandudno Town Council, land owners Mostyn Estates, the owners of individual businesses and the Chamber of Trade to see if a partnership approach can be established.
Llandudno mayor Garry Burchett said the issue of the damaged pavements was one that had been worrying the town council for several years.
“I’m sure I speak on behalf of the town council when I say wWe welcome this plan to deal with the damaged pavements which is long overdue. It is a big step forward. The town council has appointed its own working party to look at the town’s street scene and to make recommendations for improvements, and the pavements are at the top of its list of concerns. I’m sure the town council will do what it can to help take this project forward.”
And business owner Nigel Roberts, who has a newsagents and gift shop in Gloddaeth Street, was supportive of the project, but said some businesses may have difficulty finding the funds to contribute to repairing pavements outside their properties.
“If the council is planning to upgrade the pavements we will end up with some businesses willing to contribute, and others for reasons of their own not willing. We have to be careful that any scheme will not end up going round in circles, especially as we are still very much in somewhat lean times.”
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/3m-needed-replace-cracked-dangerous-6754323
