More than 40,000 tonnes of rock used so far to bolster Old Colwyn sea defences

More than 40,000 tonnes of rock and material have been imported from North Wales quarries to date as part of work to bolster Old Colwyn’s sea defences.

Just over £6m of Welsh Government funding was previously made available to protect the section of promenade most at risk of collapse between Rotary Way and Splash Point.

The work began last year with 200m of the proposed 370m rock barricade now completed.

In a progress update, Conwy County Council said: “Over the next few months, we will begin piling work for constructing two new sets of access steps onto the beach and the designated fishing platform.

“The bespoke precast concrete access steps and wall sections have been delivered.

“Some of the precast units are imprinted with a special textured surface to promote marine wildlife habitat.

“We have successfully applied for the planning permission and marine licences we need to finish constructing the overall scheme, for future phases of work.”

Most of the improvements in the current phase are to the sea-side of the existing sea wall, providing the first level of protection.

In future phases, the council plans to increase the height of the promenade and make improvements to it.

Due to the major engineering works involved, which require large equipment including cranes, tracked excavators and dumpers, the section of promenade is currently closed to the public.

Explaining the purpose of the work in an FAQ section on the council’s website, the authority said: “The rock barricade helps to protect the bottom of the sea wall from being undermined.

“It also breaks up the energy of incoming waves during storms, resulting in smaller waves and reducing the pressure on the Victorian seawall.

“This work is essential to strengthen the Victorian sea defences at Old Colwyn promenade.

“This will protect the promenade, the national cycle route, the main sewer for Old Colwyn, and the A55 and railway bridges.

“Without this work, there is a high chance that after a bad storm the promenade could need to be closed indefinitely.”