Seafront repairs underway after storm damage
URGENT seafront repairs are underway at a popular Welsh resort whose sandy beach is steadily being washed away.
Winter storms have damaged sea barriers at Criccieth, Gwynedd, and in some places, the beach level is said to have fallen by “several metres”.
As its defences degrade, the town’s seafront is reported to be “rapidly changing formation”.
Criccieth Town Council has been pressing for repairs to prevent further damage and to enable “safe access” to the beach for local people and visitors.
On a recent visit, Dwyfor Meirionnydd MS Mabon ap Gwynfor heard how sections of a stone crib wall along the eastern beach have collapsed, leaving boulders strewn along the beach.
Deep holes have also been carved out from under a path above the beach, further exposing the wall to the elements, he said.
A concrete ramp on the beach remains unsafe, while “substantial damage” has been caused to several wooden groynes.
Mr ap Gwynfor said the changes were “indisputable”, adding: “The level of the beach is falling before our eyes, in parts, by several metres.”
A Gwynedd Council survey showed around 1.4m (about 4.5ft) was lost in some beach areas between October 2019 and October 2022.
It’s thought the beach fell by around 0.5m before the storms of November 2021 and the rest more recently.
Tourism is important to the town’s economy but the area is vulnerable to coastal erosion.
Over the years, thousands of pounds have been spent protecting cliffs and beaches. Rock armour, a crib wall and more than 20 groynes offer protection along the coastline. However, the groynes have had unintended consequences.
Located at the western beach, they were installed to encourage deposits of tourist-friendly sand and to protect Criccieth itself.
In doing so, they have blocked coastal process and left the eastern beach starved of sand and shingle.
Work has now begun on seafront repairs.
Some of the groynes have been patched up and Mr ap Gwynfor is now calling for a firm timetable for the rest of the work.
He said: “The damage caused by recent extreme storms has had a transformational impact on the topography of the beach.
“In turn, this has damaged several aspects of the town’s sea defences, including the sea wall, groynes and access to the beach itself.
“What we now require is a clear timetable for the remainder of the work. 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.”
Gwynedd Council was asked to comment.