A Member of the Senedd has warned that the level of a popular Welsh beach is "falling before our eyes". Recent storms have damaged sea defences at Criccieth, Gwynedd, including the sea wall, groynes and access to the beach itself, said Dwyfor Meirionnydd MS Mabon ap Gwynfor following his recent visit to the town.
He said the degradation has had a "transformational impact on the topography" of the seafront, with the sandy beach's level being said to have fallen by "several metres" in some places, reports North Wales Live. It has prompted Criccieth Town Council to get urgent repairs underway to prevent further damage and ensure "safe access" to the beach.
The Plaid Cymru MS said the changes to the beach were "indisputable". Wooden groynes have received "substantial damage" and boulders have been left scattered along it after sections of a stone crib wall on the eastern side collapsed. Meanwhile deep holes have been left under a path above the beach, leaving the wall further exposed to the elements. A concrete ramp on the beach is also unsafe, it's been claimed.
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Some of the groynes have been restored and Mr Ap Gwynfor is calling for a "clear timetable" for the remainder of the work. He added: "I understand that contractors have already been appointed to repair the sea wall along the esplanade which requires urgent attention.
“Remedial work on the access ramp is more complex. I will be pressing Gwynedd Council to work with partner organisations to find an alternative accessible option to ensure safe access to the beach is restored as quickly as possible.”
Between October 2019 and October 2022, about 1.4m was lost in some areas of the beach, according to a Gwynedd Council survey. It's believed the beach level was washed away by around 0.5m before the storms in November 2021 and the other more recent ones.
Over the years thousands has been spent on protecting Criccieth's beaches and cliffs, with the area particularly vulnerable to coastal erosion. Among the protective measures implemented are a crib wall, rock armour and more than 20 groynes on the western side of the beach. North Wales Live approached Gwynedd Council about its plans for Criccieth seafront defences.
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