Fears historic jetty remains on beach could be torn down
CONCERN THEY POSE RISK TO BOATS
CONCERNS have been raised that remains of an historic quarry stage on a secluded Llŷn Peninsula beach will be removed due to “public risk” despite there being “no evidence” of any incidents in the area.
Ty’n Tywyn beach, known locally as Quarry Beach, below Mynydd Tir Cwmwd in Llanbedrog, is a site of special scientific interest.
On the beach are the remains of a former jetty, which was used by ships to transport the stone when the quarry was in use.
Only three of the poles still remain at the site.
In an email sent to Llanbedrog community council, Barry Davies, Maritime Officer for Gwynedd Council stated that, in his opinion, the poles are a “risk to boats” navigating in the area.
In the email correspondence Mr Davies said: “It is essential that we consider risks and act to reduce the risks to the users of the coast.”
He further states that, if the community wish for the poles to remain where they are, Gwynedd Council would only consider this if they received “formal confirmation that responsibility for any incident does not fall on the council.” In a further email Mr Davies acknowledged that there is currently “no evidence” of any incident occurring as a result of the jetty remains, but that the council could
not guarantee that there would not be one in the future.
Concerns have now been raised by locals who want the “iconic industrial remains” to stay where they are. John Brinley Jones, chairman of the community council, says he has never heard of any concerns that these poles are dangerous in terms of navigation.
Mr Jones said: “Gwynedd Council accept the fact there hasn’t been a boating accident here - they still want to remove them. Simply unbelievable.
“Nature or the elements should determine their fate. There are so many pictures taken there, it’s iconic, when you see pictures posted of these poles you know exactly where they’ve been taken.”
However, a spokesperson for Gwynedd Council yesterday said that they are “considering appropriate mitigation measures” to avoid having to remove the posts. A Cyngor Gwynedd spokesperson said: “The council will not be removing the old quarry stage posts on Ty’n Tywyn beach.
“There are concerns that the condition and location of these historic posts might pose a public risk, however, we are considering appropriate mitigation measures without the need for their removal.”