FURTHER delays to construction work on Maesdu Bridge have pushed the opening date back until September.
The controversial bridge reconstruction has been plagued with delays since work started in October last year, and has caused a noticeable impact on businesses in West Shore and in Deganwy due to a lack of passing traffic.
Llandudno town councillor Garry Burchett, who also runs a business near the bridge, said: “We’re pretty much resigned. There’s a resignation that it will open when it opens. I've had a woman this morning who when she was told it would open in September asked ‘this year or next year?’. People are so fed up.
“It’s like being cut off. You just feel like you’re trapped. It changes your decisions on everything. What used to be a trip down the road in your car is now a three mile detour.”
Cllr Burchett blamed Conwy County Borough Council’s lack of information on the construction work as reason for the distress caused to residents and businesses, and confirmed he was concerned the re-opening the bridge may not bring back shoppers to the West Shore area.
He said: “We’ve lost trade - it’s been the same month after month - and we haven’t got a clue if we’re going to get it back. You can’t say it’s all down to the economy - the bridged closed and the trade went.
“People are used to coming in on the A470 now. You get into a habit of not going that way and people are going to carry on doing that after the bridge opens. It could take four or five years before we get people using the bridge like they did.”
Cllr Jason Weyman confirmed businesses in Deganwy are also “fed up” and “struggling” because of the bridge, and are disappointed with further delays.
He said: “In May we were told an eight week delay which made it August 25, but they would fight for a six week delay. On top of that we have a further two week delay, which now makes the completion date September 10. When you look up close there still appears to be a lot of work which needs to be done in eight weeks.
“I’m just hoping when they announce the bridge is open, everyone who has struggled getting into Llandudno with the traffic at the Links roundabout will come straight to the bridge.”