TOWERING waves which crashed relentlessly against Colwyn Bay's shore have left a trail of devastation in their wake.
Sections of the promenade and cyclepath were torn up, walls were demolished and fencing ripped apart last week when high winds and strong waves battered the town.
Damage caused along the North Wales coast is estimated to cost ‘hundreds of thousands of pounds’ in what Council members have called one of the worst storms seen in the last 20 years.
A spokeswoman for Conwy Council said: “Defences along our coastline have been tested by a storm event that we have not experienced since 1990. Early indications are that repair costs are expected to be significant however engineers are still surveying the damage.
“The Council is urging people to stay away from areas that have been damaged, for their own safety, until the repair works have been completed.”
A section of the promenade in Old Colwyn remained closed during the Easter weekend due to extensive damage to a masonry wall and parapet fencing, while large sections along the promenade remain cordoned off.
Cllr Mike Priestley, Conwy’s Cabinet Member for Environment said: “I’ve spoken to some of the affected residents today and offered whatever help we can. I’d like to thank staff for working round the clock in these extreme conditions. I believe the clean-up and repairs will run into hundreds of thousands of pounds. The Council will make a bid to the Welsh Assembly Government for emergency assistance.”
Mayor of Colwyn Bay, Cllr Abdul Khan, voiced his concerns over the delay in securing essential funding from the Welsh Assembly Government to act on proposed plans to protect the town’s shore.
He said: “The more it gets ignored the more damage it’s going to cause. We are waiting for the bid for money to do the sea defences work and its high time the Welsh Assembly Government realised the extremity of the damage. Prevention is better than a cure.
“If we don’t take action now it could take the railway track and the expressway. It’s a wake-up call for the Welsh Assembly.”
According to Cllr Khan, plans to help defend Colwyn Bay’s coast have been waiting on a funding decision for more than three years.
He added: “Since then there have been several instances - the cycle track has been a few times. These temporary repairs are costing the public more money. It was estimated to cost around 20 million. If it gets worse it could cost double that.
“It's very dangerous - something needs to be done. There is the danger of losing lives.”
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Watch an exclusive video of the wave damage HERE.