MATCH ENDS IN VIOLENCE
Football fracas
MOST of us will have been caught up in heavy traffic and long tail-backs on the outskirts of Caernarfon and Bontnewydd during this summer and many previous summers.
My predecessor, Alun Ffred Jones and others have fought hard for the much-needed bypass.
The first report into the need for a new road was commissioned by the Welsh Office in the early 1990’s but it now seems that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Last year the Welsh Government undertook development and assessment work on the project and held local exhibitions.
Last week, Ken Skates, the new Cabinet Secretary for the Economy and Infrastructure made further announcements about the scheme. Draft Orders have now been published so that the scheme can progress. Public exhibitions will be held and I urge anyone who will be affected by the new road or anyone who is interested in the development to study the documents closely.
Stakeholders need to register their opposition or support for the proposals by October 13 this year. The Government will then decide if they will hold a Local A FOOTBALL match was abandoned after “fighting” broke out.
Eyewitnesses said a number of supporters and players were involved in the clashes during the Welsh Alliance Division 2 encounter between Llanllyfni FC and Prestatyn Sport Football Club.
One player was taken to hospital by ambulance following the game, which was played at Llanllyfni near Penygroes.
Spectators said the hosts were leading 2-1 when scuffles broke out forcing the match to be abandoned just before half time. North Wales Police were also called to the match and eyewitness reported seeing up to four police vehicles at the scene.
Representatives from both clubs said a Prestatyn Sport player was arrested by officers but the force has refused to comment on the incident.
A Welsh Ambulance spokeswoman said: “We were called at 3.30pm on Saturday to Llanllyfni.
“One casualty with a head injury was taken to Ysbyty Gwynedd.”
Prestatyn Sport Football Club club secretary David Jutson said: “I’m 70 years old and have been involved with football since I was a toddler. I’ve never seen anything like this before.
“The atmosphere was very volatile and I was actually quite scared. Public Inquiry when an independent inspector will consider the project, hear the representations and make recommendations. Some residents have genuine concerns about the scheme, especially those directly affected.
It is disappointing that there is a 12 month delay with the
“I just turned around and saw the Llanllyfni supporters on the pitch and then fights were breaking out with our players. One of their players was taken to hospital but I’m not sure what happened.”
Mr Jutson added: “We’ve played with Llanllyfni before and gone for a drink with them at the pub afterwards and always shook hands.”
Kim Warrington club secretary of Llanllyfni FC said: “We are not going to comment at this stage as our player Sion Hughes has been taken to hospital and we don’t know what condition he’s in.
“We just want to wish Sion the very best as he’s a lovely person.”
Heulwen Jones, Treasurer of Llanllyfni FC, said: “Sion is having scans and X-rays. He was on the floor for quite a long time before the ambulance came. It seemed to take a long time. The police came and gave him assistance. There were children there and they were shocked.”
Ron Bridges, secretary of the Welsh Alliance League said: “This is not what we want in the league.
“We will look at all the reports and when the FAW (Football Association of Wales) has made a decision we will take whatever action is necessary to protect the reputation of the league.”
He added: “The referee will report to the FAW first and once the FAW have dealt with it, it will then come back to the league.” project.
The original projection was for the new road to open in December 2018.
The completion date now given is end of 2019 with the work due to begin in October 2017.
I hope that work will progress as smoothly as possible from now on. It is very important that local businesses can get involved during the building stage and that as many extra workers as possible are recruited locally.
I have asked the Cabinet Secretary Ken Skates, for a detailed report on how the Government intends to ensure LOCAL procurement of services for any sub-contracts that may be advertised by the main contractors. I would hope that ‘meetthe-buyer’ events are being planned and that local companies are encouraged to submit joint contracts for additional work that needs to be commissioned.
The scheme is estimated to cost £65M and it’s imperative that some of that investment trickles down to the local economy during the two/three-year building phase. I will be pursuing this aspect as vigorously as possible over the coming months.