MAJOR funding has been secured to ensure work can continue on the Old Colwyn coastal defence scheme.

Conwy County Borough Council has been granted a further £6.075m from the Welsh Government.

The additional funding is part of Welsh Government’s Resilient Roads fund, which supports recovery from the effect of storms and improves routes for pedestrians and cyclists.

Cllr Greg Robbins, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transportation, said: "We’re delighted that we now have the funding to install appropriate protection and secure the future of the promenade.

"Severe storms and high tides are becoming more frequent and we’ve had to close the promenade for safety reasons on many occasions.

"We’ve seen significant damage in the past and without this funding for permanent protection, future storms could severely damage the promenade and active travel route, putting the A55 and the railway at risk."

The extra money will allow the council to extend the coastal defences recently completed at Splash Point, by Old Colwyn Arches.

The new rock armour protects the Victoria sea wall, absorbing and dispersing wave energy to protect the promenade behind it.

The cash will also be used to improve the active travel route for pedestrians and cyclists along the front.