RESIDENTS in Rhos-on-Sea have voiced their displeasure and concern at the impact of works caused by the Colwyn Bay Waterfront Project Phase 2b.

The project, planned by Conwy County Borough Council, aims to improve coastal defences by importing one million tonnes of sand to place in front of the existing sea wall, protecting it and the properties and infrastructure behind it.

The project also aims to revitalise the promenade, including the renewal of surfaces, improving street lighting and improved facilities for cyclists and pedestrians.

Part of the proposal is to introduce a one-way system along the bottom of the Cayley Embankment on Rhos on Sea promenade, which will see thousands of vehicles travelling up the embankment, increasing traffic in residential parts of Rhos-on-Sea.

In a letter sent to the Pioneer (name and address supplied), a resident said: “The traffic being directed above the Rhos-on-Sea Promenade via a one-way system will have a severe impact on the residents of said road and create congestion particularly at the Whitehall Road junction.

“The proposed removal of the two kiosks without any sure plan of renewal is something the application lacks as we, the regular users of the kiosks, hold very dear the community spirit created by their simplicity.”

Peter Sutton, whose home is adjacent to Cayley Promenade, said: “This will devastate the neighbourhood and life will never be the same.

“Also affected will be the many residents and visitors who currently love to sit and often picnic on the upper part of the Cayley Embankment to enjoy the view of the village and the sea, away from the bustle of West Prom.

“Exhaust and noise pollution, as well as road safety, will also be serious issues.

“The council’s concern is that the plan must be ready to proceed by March 2022 to qualify for the funding from the Welsh Government, so Conwy County Borough Councillors perhaps feel pressured into approving the scheme as it stands.

“It is therefore essential that the necessary fundamental changes are made to the design now before it is too late.”

Since the proposals were first published, two petitions have been launched, via the help of Clywd West MS Darren Millar.

Mr Millar said: “The two major concerns that residents have are regarding the need for the removal of kiosks on the Promenade without a clear plan to replace them, and an awful lot of vehicles would drive through residential areas.

“The first petition was set up in respect of the kiosks, and has about 2,500 signatures at last count.

“The more recent one, regarding the one-way system, has over 500 signatures so far – you can see the feelings about this in Rhos.

“It could cause traffic carnage.

“The council has already amended its plans once following opposition to demolish popular kiosks as part of the scheme, so hopefully they will consider the views of residents once again and scrap the one-way system plans which would cause inconvenience to both locals and visitors alike.

“I want the local authority to listen to requests – it is perfectly possible to maintain the two-way system while widening the Promenade for cycling, pedestrians.”

In the report published by the Council on the impact of the works, statistics show a current total vehicle flow of 1,164 plus 38 HGV (lorries) on the Cayley Promenade, rising to 10,184 and 333 respectively, giving a 778 per cent increase in traffic.

Conwy County Borough Councillor Donald Milne sympathised with resident concerns, implying that further consideration would be needed in regard to alleviating traffic on the Cayley Promenade.

Mr Milne said: “The routing of all the traffic over the top of the Cayley Promenade is not an acceptable option to residents of the Cayley.

“The proposed design also requires the changing of junction priorities at Whitehall Road which is not desirable as it is on the No. 12 bus route.

“I believe that the current proposed design will discourage traffic from using the lower promenade road for east bound traffic and instead they will use the upper Cayley for all traffic.

“The solution that I would like to see, and have supported when seeing the initial design options, is a one-way restriction on the top of the Cayley Promenade between Llannerch Road and Whitehall Road.”

Clwyd West MP David Jones is critical of the proposal, and said:

"I am very unhappy with the current proposals for the redevelopment of Rhos on Sea promenade.

"Reducing the flow of traffic to one way on the sea front would significantly increase congestion on Cayley Promenade, as well as generating traffic fumes.

“Consequently, Cayley Promenade and the surrounding residential streets would become a far less pleasant place.

"I share the concerns of a large number of my constituents regarding the proposal to remove the retail kiosks on the promenade.

“The kiosks are extremely popular and are well patronised, not only during the summer season, but throughout the year.

“They are an important feature of Rhos on Sea and contribute significantly to its attraction as a seaside resort.”

A spokesperson for Conwy County Borough Council said: "The Rhos-on-Sea coastal defences project is now in the formal planning process, which includes further consultation - residents have another opportunity to provide comments on the scheme through this process.

"The project team are committed to working with concerned residents or other stakeholders, to make reasonable modifications to the design which improve the project, without prejudicing the wider benefits of the scheme."