PLANS to rebuild sea defences at Colwyn Bay, which are at risk of a catastrophic failure, are to be considered by Conwy planners.

The scheme, which the Welsh Government has already committed £1.6 million towards, as reported in the Pioneer last November, envisages construction of a rock revetment next to the sea wall to act as a barricade. The revetment would measure a maximum of approximately 148m in width by 50m in length. The plans go before the council’s planning committee on Wednesday January 8, and officers are recommending the scheme receives consent.

A report by Conwy’s planning department states: “The Victorian built coastal defences at Old Colwyn have suffered from undermining, corrosion, partial collapses and degradation with frequent overtopping occurring at spring tides, especially if onshore west to north-west winds occur concurrently.

“They have been assessed as being at significant risk of catastrophic failure, which could lead to the loss of the promenade, National Cycle Route 5 and the highway which would leave the main London-Holyhead railway highly vulnerable and subsequently the A55 expressway.

"The main trunk sewer that serves the whole of Old Colwyn is situated immediately behind the sea wall and would be lost should the defences fail during a storm. This would result in a discharge of significant quantities of untreated effluent directly onto the beach with associated environmental consequences.”

Darren Millar AM, welcomed the news of the Welsh Government support last November, but said: “The cash falls well short of the overall total needed for a significant upgrade to the sea defences, but it is welcome none the less. We've been living on borrowed time and I know residents and businesses in the area have been very concerned as to whether the defences could survive another storm.”

Also at the time of the Welsh Government announcement, cllr Cheryl Carlisle, added: “My constituents have been very concerned about the sea defences in Old Colwyn for many years.