Janet Finch-Saunders, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy, has arranged a public meeting to take place at Betws-y-Coed to discuss the continued closure of the pedestrian bridge, Sappers Bridge, which link both sides of the village.
The public meeting is being held at St Mary’s Church Hall, Holyhead Road, Betws-y-Coed, Conwy, LL24 0AA, at 18:00pm on 2 June 2023. To reserve a seat at the meeting please call 01492 871198 or email [email protected]
The 93 year old Sappers Bridge was forced to close due to safety concerns back in December 2021 and it has remained shut ever since.
Structural reviews found that virtually the entire bridge would need to be refurbished, with the entire timber deck as well as other parts replaced completely.
Commenting ahead of the public meeting, Janet said:
“The closure 16 months ago has had a detrimental impact on locals and the economy.
“Due to the fact that no short term solution has been put in place, the section of the village to the East of the Conwy River has lost its direct link to the heart of Betws, resulting in hotels losing bookings.
“When considering that the bridge also facilitated people walking to leading attractions such as Zip World Fforest and the Fforest Coaster, there is no doubt that the closure has resulted in an increase use of private cars and environmental harm.
“Betws is the gateway to Snowdonia, and one of Eryri’s most popular destinations, so I share residents frustration at the fact the crossing has been left unaddressed for too long.
“A Stage 2 WelTAG study should be completed this month, which will set out a preferred route for a Betws to Llanrwst active travel route. That should enable Conwy County Borough Council to work on an outline design for a new bridge to help inform a decision whether it is an upgrade, replacement or additional to the existing bridge.
“The public meeting will be a great opportunity for residents to have their say, and ensure that they are fully informed of where the relevant authorities are at with seeing the crossing saved.”
ENDS
Mae Janet Finch-Saunders, Aelod o’r Senedd dros Aberconwy, wedi trefnu cyfarfod cyhoeddus i'w gynnal ym Metws-y-coed i drafod y ffaith bod pont i gerddwyr, Pont y Soldiwr, sy'n cysylltu dwy ochr y pentref, yn dal i fod ar gau.
Cynhelir y cyfarfod cyhoeddus yn Neuadd Eglwys y Santes Fair, Ffordd Caergybi, Betws-y-coed, Conwy, LL24 0AA, am 18:00pm ar 2 Mehefin 2023. I gadw sedd yn y cyfarfod, ffoniwch 01492 871198 neu anfonwch e-bost at [email protected]
Bu'n rhaid i Bont y Soldiwr, sy'n 93 oed , gau oherwydd pryderon diogelwch yn ôl ym mis Rhagfyr 2021 ac mae wedi bod ar gau byth ers hynny.
Canfu adolygiadau strwythurol y byddai bron angen adnewyddu'r bont gyfan, gyda'r dec pren cyfan yn ogystal â rhannau eraill ohoni yn gorfod cael eu newid yn llwyr.
Wrth sôn am y cyfarfod cyhoeddus, dywedodd Janet:
"Mae cau’r bont 16 mis yn ôl wedi cael effaith andwyol ar bobl leol a'r economi.
"Oherwydd nad oes ateb yn y tymor byr, mae'r rhan o'r pentref i'r Dwyrain o Afon Conwy wedi colli ei gysylltiad uniongyrchol â chalon Betws, gan arwain at westai'n colli archebion.
"Wrth ystyried fod y bont hefyd wedi hwyluso pobl i gerdded i atyniadau blaenllaw fel Zip World Fforest a'r Fforest Coaster, does dim dwywaith fod cau’r bont wedi arwain at ddefnydd cynyddol o geir preifat a niwed amgylcheddol.
"Betws yw'r porth i Eryri, ac mae’n un o gyrchfannau mwyaf poblogaidd Eryri, felly rwy'n rhannu rhwystredigaeth y trigolion nad oes sylw wedi cael ei roi cyhyd i’r groesfan.
"Dylai astudiaeth WelTAG Cam 2 gael ei chwblhau'r mis hwn, a fydd yn gosod llwybr dewisol ar gyfer llwybr teithio llesol Betws i Lanrwst. Dylai hynny alluogi Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Conwy i weithio ar gynllun amlinellol ar gyfer pont newydd i helpu i lywio penderfyniad, boed ar gyfer uwchraddio, adeiladu pont newydd yn lle’r hen un neu adeiladu pont sy’n ychwanegol at y bont bresennol.
"Bydd y cyfarfod cyhoeddus yn gyfle gwych i drigolion ddweud eu dweud, ac yn sicrhau eu bod yn cael gwybod ble yn union mae'r awdurdodau perthnasol arni o ran achub y bont."
DIWEDD
