Janet Finch-Saunders, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy, has spoken in disappointment at the Welsh Government’s refusal to use the coastal risk management programme to provide a flood defence solution for Llandudno which includes the return of sand to North Shore.
Responding to the Member, Julie James MS, Minister for Climate Change, stated:
“So, just to be really specific, the Welsh Government have recently awarded grant funding to Conwy County Borough Council to develop a full business case for Llandudno, based on maintaining and improving the existing cobble defence on the North Shore.
“The alternative sand option provides no additional flood benefit, at a much greater cost to the coastal risk management programme, and that's the problem. So, whilst I completely understand what you're saying about the sandy beach, the coastal risk management programme is for coastal risk management; it's not for tourist attractions and other aesthetic value. I'm not denying the value of that; I'm just saying that's not what the programme is for.
“So, if Conwy County Borough Council want to get an alternative sand option at Llandudno north shore, they really need to look for alternative sources of funding. There are some other sources of funding available, but, in all conscience, I cannot take a coastal management programme that's specifically designed to protect places from flooding and use it for a completely different purpose”.
Commenting after championing the cause for the return of sand to North Shore, Janet said:
“It is clear to me that the return of sand to North Shore has not been successful because it is not the most cost-effective option in the short term.
“However, over several years, decades, it would bring a huge economic boost to the town, and whole region.
“Whilst the Welsh Government really should give consideration to the long-term impact of flood defence investment on future generations, a clear message has been sent that it is up to Conwy County Borough Council to find alternative sources of funding.
“The boulders should never have been put on our beach in the first place, and now we face the risk of even more being dumped. I urge the Local Authority to reconsider their plans.”
ENDS
Mae Janet Finch-Saunders, Aelod o’r Senedd dros Aberconwy, wedi siarad am ei siom ynghylch penderfyniad Llywodraeth Cymru i wrthod defnyddio'r rhaglen rheoli perygl arfordirol er mwyn cynnig ateb i amddiffyn rhag llifogydd yn Llandudno, sy'n cynnwys dychwelyd tywod i Draeth y Gogledd.
Wrth ymateb i'r Aelod, dywedodd Julie James AS, y Gweinidog Newid Hinsawdd:
"Felly, i fod yn benodol iawn, mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi dyfarnu grant yn ddiweddar i Gyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Conwy ddatblygu achos busnes llawn ar gyfer Llandudno, ar sail cynnal a gwella'r amddiffyniad cobl presennol ar Draeth y Gogledd.
"Nid yw'r opsiwn tywod amgen yn cynnig unrhyw fudd ychwanegol o ran llifogydd, ar gost llawer uwch i'r rhaglen rheoli risg arfordirol, a dyna wraidd y broblem. Felly, er fy mod i'n deall yn iawn beth rydych chi'n ei ddweud am y traeth tywodlyd, mae'r rhaglen rheoli risg arfordirol ar gyfer rheoli risg arfordirol; nid ar gyfer atyniadau twristaidd a gwerth esthetig eraill. Dydw i ddim yn gwadu gwerth hynny; dim ond dweud nad dyna beth yw pwrpas y rhaglen.
"Felly, os yw Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Conwy am gael opsiwn tywod arall ar draeth y gogledd Llandudno, mae gwir angen iddyn nhw chwilio am ffynonellau cyllid eraill. Mae rhai ffynonellau arian eraill ar gael, ond ni fyddai fy nghydwybod yn gadael i mi gymryd rhaglen rheoli arfordirol sydd wedi'i chynllunio'n benodol i amddiffyn llefydd rhag llifogydd a'i ddefnyddio at bwrpas cwbl wahanol".
Wrth sôn am hyrwyddo'r achos dros ddychwelyd tywod i Draeth y Gogledd, dywedodd Janet:
"Mae'n amlwg i mi nad yw dychwelyd tywod i Draeth y Gogledd wedi bod yn llwyddiannus oherwydd nid dyma'r opsiwn mwyaf cost-effeithiol yn y tymor byr.
"Fodd bynnag, dros nifer o flynyddoedd, degawdau, byddai'n dod â hwb economaidd enfawr i'r dref, a'r rhanbarth cyfan.
"Er y dylai Llywodraeth Cymru wir roi ystyriaeth i effaith hirdymor buddsoddi mewn amddiffynfa rhag llifogydd ar genedlaethau'r dyfodol, mae neges glir wedi’i hanfon yma mai mater i Gyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Conwy yw dod o hyd i ffynonellau eraill o arian.
"Ni ddylai'r clogfeini fyth fod wedi cael eu codi ar ein traeth yn y lle cyntaf, a nawr rydyn ni’n wynebu'r risg o hyd yn oed mwy yn cael ei ddympio. Rwy'n erfyn ar yr Awdurdod Lleol i ailystyried eu cynlluniau."
DIWEDD
