Llandudno to Glan Conwy Cycleway

Walkers and cyclists enjoying September sunshine on the West Shore to Deganwy path soon after it was opened

Conwy has received tenders for the Conwy cob to the RSPB nature reserve section and it is hoped work will start before the end of October and will be finished by early spring. However the continuation of the path to Glan Conwy is still the subject of various negotiations. The track will now emerge at the layby on the A470 just before Glan Conwy. The Welsh government are concerned about the safety of cyclists emerging on to the trunk road at this point and in consequence it is likely that this section will officially be designated as a footpath, although in practice

there should be nothing to stop cyclists cycling it and the second bridge over the railway at Glan Conwy should be accessible for bikes. CTC find it frustrating that the Welsh government seem oblivious of the dangers for cyclists negotiating the Black Cat roundabout, which this path will bypass.

The West Shore to Deganwy section was finished by mid-August and although there has been no publicity it has proved extremely popular with both pedestrians and cyclists: the views are superb. On one short section near the sand hills soft sand has encroached on to the path. However a change in the direction of the wind has resulted in a lot of this sand being blown back off the track. As a result at the moment (21st. September) the whole length is perfectly cyclable on the original surface; but it does look as if there will be occasions, depending on which way the wind has been blowing, when cyclists might have to dismount and walk for a few yards. But this is not the end of the world. Some cyclists have to dismount to go up a steep hill. The justly famous and popular Mawddach Trail (again unbound) has a short section on the approach to Barmouth that seems always to be covered with soft sand.

Some cyclists are disappointed that the track has not been tarmacadammed. There has never been any intention to tarmacam this path. This is an environmentally sensitive section of coast. Because Conwy was the planning authority approving its own scheme, it was necessary to negotiate approval from a whole fistful of agencies concerned with the environment. I doubt whether a tarmacam route would ever have got the go-ahead. Although we are lucky in having a metalled path elsewhere along the North Wales coast, it should be born in mind that many, if not most, dual purpose cycleways have an unbound surface.

Earlier this year a tarmacadam path was built from the Deganwy level crossing to Glan-y-Mor beach where an unbound granite based track continues to the path along the A55 embankment from which Conwy Cob and Conwy can be reached. The A55 embankment section has a surface of concrete blocks and CTC and Sustrans are pressing for this to be covered with a better running surface.

It is hoped work will start before long on the missing link between the end of Marine Crescent, Deganwy and Deganwy marina.

We first published the article below in spring, 2003. We little realised at the time what tortuous delays would ensue for a multiplicity of reasons reasons, including funding problems and the objections of a minority of nimbyists.

CTC Cymru is grateful to the local authority and its officers for their perseverance and determination to overcome numerous obstacles.

As part of an ambitious plan to regenerate the Conwy estuary a planning application has been approved for an exciting new cycleway linking Llandudno to Glan Conwy and Conwy.

The track will start at the West Shore car park and follow the route of the existing North Wales coastal path at the base of the sand dunes, close to the fore-shore. It will go along Deganwy promenade to Marine Crescent. For this short cul-de-sac cyclists will use the road as at present.

Near the level crossing the cycleway will be built on top of the existing railway coastal revetment as far as the new marina. It will go through the marina and out on the other side along the railway wall to join up with the present A55 embankment, where there will be a picnic area.

(Those who are familiar with the embankment will know that it is mostly well shielded from sight and sound of the expressway.)

The path will continue to Conwy cob, the Conwy bridge footway and Conwy quay, which is to be substantially enlarged and pedestrianised.

From the eastern end of the cob a spur will cross the railway by a bridge and go along the edge of the estuary to Glan Conwy, passing close to the RSPB bird sanctuary, where there will be another picnic area. This section especially should provide new views of the Conwy estuary.

The track will be mainly funded by Europe (with some top-up from the Assembly) in order to help the environment, tourism, businesses and people’s health and safety by encouraging more off-road travel on foot and bike.

And this it will surely do. For example, someone who lives in Glan Conwy, and wants to cycle to work or to the shops in central Llandudno, can only do so at the moment by mixing it with heavy traffic for several miles, not to mention negotiating three roundabouts that require nerves of steel at busy times. In future this journey could all be done off-road, save for a last half mile that is not particularly traffic ridden anyway. I myself live in Deganwy and am looking forward to using the cycleway to shop at Tesco’s and in Conwy.

A major independent assessment by Liverpool University finds that the cycleway will indeed bring benefits to tourism, shops and businesses as well as being a valuable amenity for locals and visitors. The track has wide-ranging support including, for example, that of the Ramblers' Association.

This is going to be a stunningly attractive track – a ride along an unspoilt coast followed by a promenade round a beautiful estuary. For over a century Deganwy has been cut off from much of its foreshore by the railway. Suddenly access and views will be opened up. Visitors as well as locals are going to relish it. Shops and businesses all along the route are bound to benefit. It will help residents of the new marina to integrate with the rest of the community. Families will be encouraged to unmothball old bikes or buy new ones to take advantage of fresh opportunities.

The cycleway will for the first time provide much-needed off-road access to the large RSPB reserve. This reserve has an important educational function but at the moment young people can only take advantage of it if driven there.

When eventually the final link is made on the Llandudno side to national cycle route 5, this coastal loop is sure to be hugely popular with touring cyclists and those wishing to take up the bike for the first time.

I look forward to meeting many cycling and walking friends on the new track in the not too distant future be it on a warm summer’s evening or a crisp December morning.

The path has opened up this part of the coast for the first time to mobility and wheel chair users and families with prams. Here Mrs. Meeson of Deganwy uses the path regularly and loves it.