Our seaside town’s beach used to attract thousands of tourists, then council covered it in rocks – we’re taking action
FUMING residents of a seaside town say they are taking action after their once popular beach was covered in rocks by the council.
The sandy shoreline at Llandudno, north Wales, was replaced with 50,000 tonnes worth of giant rocks nine years ago.
Now, 10,000 disgruntled locals are demanding the council bring back their picturesque beach.
Livid neighbours want bungling officials to rescue the sandy shores in a bid to attract tourists to the area.
Residents are hoping to see the rocks at Llandudno North Shore covered in sand.
They are calling on the Welsh Labour Government to fund a £24millon scheme that would see the rocks removed and replaced with a wooden beam sea defence system.
A petition signed by 9,800 people calls for the government to “fund the removal of quarry rocks and the restoration of sand and groynes to Llandudno North Shore.”
Town councillor Ian Turner launched the petition to replace the rocks, which have been there since 2014.
It read: “In 2014 Conwy County Borough Council dumped a further 50,000 tonnes of oversized and untested quarry rocks onto North Shore.
“This action destroyed the beach.
“Access for many is almost impossible, and dangerous if people try. It’s a blight on the landscape, and detrimental to our main economy tourism.”
A campaign has been running to secure funding from Welsh Government’s coastal protection fund for a scheme that will bring sand back.
But this sand and groynes project would cost £24m – compared to the planned £7m one that would leave rocks in place.
The petition has has been backed by local Tory MS Janet Finch-Saunders.
She said: “If you want to see those horrible boulders removed from our beach please sign the petition.
“With boulders on the beach, people are unable to enjoy using the foreshore like they used to. It is dangerous, and inaccessible to many.
“One of the UK’s leading destinations, and the Queen of Welsh Resorts deserves a sandy beach.”
It comes as people living in a resort that was voted Britain’s finest coastal town fear it could come under threat from an influx of tourists and second home-owners.
Residents in Bamburgh, sitting on the picturesque Northumberland coast, say many are being forced out of the area by newcomers.
Other residents who fear being priced out of their seaside town include people in Devon resort Sidmouth, which has topped polls rating the UK‘s prettiest destinations.
Elsewhere, a pretty seaside town is being ruined by ridiculous parking rules and loads of tourists, according to locals.