Conwy Estuary Strategic Cycle Route. - Update: Christmas 2006

If numbers of users are anything to go by, the popularity of the three sections of the Llandudno West Shore to Glan Conwy route completed so far is proving an outstanding success. With a background of the most negative opposition imaginable from a handful of individuals, it's now being acclaimed as a major acquisition for the area, and likely to contribute greatly to the lives of visitors and residents alike, whether they be walking, cycling, or using a wheelchair.

The route itself has been built on the back of coastal protection work. Visionary in concept, and located on an estuary exposed at times to increasingly unpredictable weather conditions, it remains to be seen how it stands up to the perceptible changes in our climate.

So far we've seen some sand encroachment at the West Shore. This needs to be tackled by the local authority no less vigorously than the clearing of flotsam already carried out at Deganwy foreshore. The two are equally important for all users, not least cyclists and wheelchair users.

A question being constantly asked is, "What is happening about the 'gap' between Deganwy rail signal box and the Deganwy Marina". This has been awaiting the outcome of negotiations between the local authority and Network Rail. Progress was made shortly before Christmas, and we hope to see construction work starting by early March. This will not be a moment too soon. We have been concerned about the safety of some inexperienced cyclists and wheelchair users being compelled to divert onto the very busy road at awkward junctions. When completed, we expect to see the route properly signposted . The completion of this section will then provide a largely unbroken off-road route between West Shore to Conwy.

Scenically magnificent though these sections are, the icing on the cake will be the link from Conwy Cob to the A470 scenic viewing point at Glan Conwy. This aims to skirt the popular RSPB wildlife reserve via a tunnel under the flyover near the cob, and a low profile bridge over the main Holyhead rail line. It will enable easy access to the reserve by bicycle and on foot, as against the present situation which discourages most cyclists and pedestrians from making the trip.

Unfortunately this section is still proving controversial as conditions are being demanded by certain government departments and agencies which rate the encouragement of cycling low on their list of priorities. Not for them the nail biting navigation of the A55 Black Cat roundabout on two wheels. Nor the prospect of gridlock at Llandudno Junction when the new Welsh Assembly offices come on line. We hear a good deal of government rhetoric about the need for a sustainable transport policy that encourages more people to cycle. But the reality is that without the vigorous intervention of a handful of people, including CTC Cymru, it is questionable whether this scheme would ever have lifted off the drawing board. However we are told construction on the first part, from the cob to the nature reserve, is expected to start by March 2007 with the likelihood of being finished by October. This good news highlights all the more the urgency of resolving the impasse surrounding the continuation from the reserve to Glan Conwy.

The Lonsdales of Glan Conwy are thrilled at the prospect of an off-road link to Llandudno avoiding the dreaded Black Cat roundabout.

A group of Penrhyn Bay residents arriving at Deganwy Marina level crossing. They had cycled via Llandudno's North Shore prom, Gloddaeth Avenue, and the Conwy Estuary Cycle Route This is the route recommended by CTC Cymru and Sustrans as the only logical extension to the National Cycle Route Five. This has been shelved by Conwy CBC. Watch this space!

Three disappointed residents of Llandudno about to retreat in the face of sand encroachment on the new cycle route. The path has become extremely popular with wheelchair users. It is imperative it is kept clear

Deganwy (Boxing Day 2006) - What better way to work off the Christmas pud.?

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