Plans for coastal defence improvements in Rhos-on-Sea were granted planning permission yesterday by Conwy County Borough Council in the face of strong opposition to a proposed one-way system along part of the promenade, but the proposals for a one-way system will now be subject to further consultation. 

Yesterday afternoon Conwy County Borough Council’s Planning Committee gave a green light for the Colwyn Bay Waterfront Project Phase 2b, which include plans for a new one-way system along the bottom of the Cayley Embankment on Rhos promenade.

But the application was approved subject to a statutory Traffic Regulation Order, which requires further public consultation.

Clwyd West MS Darren Millar, who has been leading a campaign to urge Conwy County Borough Council to amend its plans and keep two-way traffic along the whole length of the sea front, is urging people to continue to send in their objections to the proposed one-way system and sign the petition to oppose the plan. 

He said:

“Although planning permission has been granted, the fight is not over yet. Any person may object to a Traffic Regulation Order and the local authority is obliged to consider objections before deciding whether or not to make the Order.

“People feel very strongly about these changes and demonstrated this when they took to the streets in their hundreds on Saturday to protest against the plans. I have no doubt that they will be very keen to respond to this consultation to once again let decision makers know why introducing a one-way system would be such a bad move.

“A council report has predicted a 778 percent increase in traffic on the Cayley Promenade if these plans go ahead. They would cause traffic chaos, noise and air pollution and put people off visiting Rhos-on-Sea. We need to do all we can to stop them and protect the residential areas which would be affected.”

The Traffic Regulation Order will be advertised on the council’s website in due course. Notices will also be put in the local press and a hard copy is posted will be be put up at the site to which the TRO relates giving 28 calendar days for objections to be made.

Darren added:

“I urge as many people as possible to respond to this consultation, it is our last hope of getting these ludicrous proposals rejected.”

Cllr James Lusted said:

“It is quite clear that the voice of local residents is slowly being listened to, but we and they won’t give up until the one way system plans are scrapped. 

“I was disappointed that this proposal was taken to the planning committee as one package and not two, as we of course support the sea defence works but not the plans to change road layouts.”