Latest news with #JanetFinch-Saunders
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Wales Online
people watch on as rows erupt on infamous 'Swearing Bridge'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info For best views of the action, locals recommend the Tu Hunt i'r Bont tearoom or the Eagles beer garden. From here, there's a reasonable chance of seeing a 'hilarious' row erupting on Llanrwst's 17th Century bridge over the Afon Conwy. For as long as anyone can remember, High Noon showdowns have been taking place on the apex of a humpback bridge that's a Welsh icon. When drivers approach the single-lane bridge, there's no way of knowing if a vehicle is also crossing from the opposite direction. A recent video shared online showed the inevitable outcome: two motorists gesticulating, each insisting they have right of way. A few hours later, an almost identical scenario played out, this time involving a truck and a queue of cars. Some residents shake their heads sadly, others draw up their seats and watch the unfolding dramas. 'Who needs Netflix...?' noted one man online. Another added: 'We used to sit on the bridge watching them argue, it was fun!' Impasses on Pont Fawr bridge are part of local folklore – so much so that it's been dubbed Pont y Rhegi (The Swearing Bridge). One celebrated individual used to arbitrate disputes and for a while the bad language dissipated. Attempts to find a solution have done little to ease the problems. Sensors embedded in the bridge asphalt near the A470 trigger a flashing amber light on the other side of the bridge, warning oncoming drivers to stop. But by then it's often too late: two or more drivers are trundling towards each other en route to yet another Mexican stand-off. Regular users have long lived by the rule of 'first to the top wins' – first to the apex has the right of way and the other motorist must reverse off the bridge. 'I've reversed 6 times in a row before now,' sighed a local woman. 'Saves arguments.' Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now It's not a perfect system and increasing numbers of tourists not familiar with the local rule means the number of stand-offs is on the rise. There are other issues too: as well as endangering pedestrians on the bridge, drivers reversing onto the A470 are contravening Highway Code rule 201, which advises motorists not to back up onto main roads. Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders has asked the Welsh Government to intervene on 'numerous occasions'. 'Our understanding is that Conwy Council was working with the Welsh Government to find solutions for the A470 side of the bridge,' said a spokesperson for her office. 'But in the last 12 months we've heard nothing, so Janet will be raising further questions in the hope of reducing the risk of bridge stand-offs in the future.' (Image: Wayne Thorley) A joint project between local and national government was announced in February 2024 by Lee Waters, the former deputy minister for climate change. Its main aim was to assess new A470 and pavement markings to prevent turning vehicles from scraping the bridge parapet. The study, which would also examine traffic priorities, was 'subject to prioritisation and funding'. Former Llanrwst mayor Cllr Mostyn Jones, now chair of the town's finance committee, would prefer a solution involving three-way traffic lights – one on the Trefriw side, the other two on the A470. The latter pair would need to be sited so as to give sufficient room for traffic turning on and off the bridge. It follows years of bridge strikes by long-axis vehicles: the most recent involved a coach said to have sent mortar tumbling into the river last week. (Image: Google) Worried about constant repairs to a listed structure and a scheduled ancient monument, Cllr Jones has been lobbying heritage body Cadw for action. While Pont Fawr's 18-stone limit can accommodate two-axle HGVs and coaches, its narrow nature means slight misjudgements can have serious impacts. 'For the last two or three years I've been complaining to Cadw about the poor state of the bridge,' he said. 'With the high volume of traffic now seen in the Conwy Valley, a sustainable solution needs to be found urgently. 'Pedestrians use the bridge and we've seen that funding can be sourced for active travel schemes. A list of potential ideas must be drawn up and put out for public consultation.' Booming tourism in Eryri has brought more traffic into the Conwy Valley and its road infrastructure can struggle to cope. Notoriously, all four river crossings between Conwy town and Betws-y-Coed involve either single-lane bridges (Pont Fawr and Pont-y-Pair) or single-lane approaches (Talycafn and the Conwy town wall arch). 'There needs to be a more strategic approach to getting traffic across the river from the west side of the valley,' added Cllr Jones. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox See what's on in your area
North Wales Live
4 days ago
- Automotive
- North Wales Live
'Better than Netflix' - people watch on as rows erupt on infamous 'Swearing Bridge'
For best views of the action, locals recommend the Tu Hunt i'r Bont tearoom or the Eagles beer garden. From here, there's a reasonable chance of seeing a 'hilarious' row erupting on Llanrwst's 17th Century bridge over the Afon Conwy. For as long as anyone can remember, High Noon showdowns have been taking place on the apex of a humpback bridge that's a Welsh icon. When drivers approach the single-lane bridge, there's no way of knowing if a vehicle is also crossing from the opposite direction. A recent video shared online showed the inevitable outcome: two motorists gesticulating, each insisting they have right of way. A few hours later, an almost identical scenario played out, this time involving a truck and a queue of cars. Some residents shake their heads sadly, others draw up their seats and watch the unfolding dramas. 'Who needs Netflix...?' noted one man online. Another added: 'We used to sit on the bridge watching them argue, it was fun!' Impasses on Pont Fawr bridge are part of local folklore – so much so that it's been dubbed Pont y Rhegi (The Swearing Bridge). One celebrated individual used to arbitrate disputes and for a while the bad language dissipated. Attempts to find a solution have done little to ease the problems. Sensors embedded in the bridge asphalt near the A470 trigger a flashing amber light on the other side of the bridge, warning oncoming drivers to stop. But by then it's often too late: two or more drivers are trundling towards each other en route to yet another Mexican stand-off. Regular users have long lived by the rule of 'first to the top wins' – first to the apex has the right of way and the other motorist must reverse off the bridge. 'I've reversed 6 times in a row before now,' sighed a local woman. 'Saves arguments.' Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now It's not a perfect system and increasing numbers of tourists not familiar with the local rule means the number of stand-offs is on the rise. There are other issues too: as well as endangering pedestrians on the bridge, drivers reversing onto the A470 are contravening Highway Code rule 201, which advises motorists not to back up onto main roads. Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders has asked the Welsh Government to intervene on 'numerous occasions'. 'Our understanding is that Conwy Council was working with the Welsh Government to find solutions for the A470 side of the bridge,' said a spokesperson for her office. 'But in the last 12 months we've heard nothing, so Janet will be raising further questions in the hope of reducing the risk of bridge stand-offs in the future.' A joint project between local and national government was announced in February 2024 by Lee Waters, the former deputy minister for climate change. Its main aim was to assess new A470 and pavement markings to prevent turning vehicles from scraping the bridge parapet. The study, which would also examine traffic priorities, was 'subject to prioritisation and funding'. Former Llanrwst mayor Cllr Mostyn Jones, now chair of the town's finance committee, would prefer a solution involving three-way traffic lights – one on the Trefriw side, the other two on the A470. The latter pair would need to be sited so as to give sufficient room for traffic turning on and off the bridge. It follows years of bridge strikes by long-axis vehicles: the most recent involved a coach said to have sent mortar tumbling into the river last week. Worried about constant repairs to a listed structure and a scheduled ancient monument, Cllr Jones has been lobbying heritage body Cadw for action. While Pont Fawr's 18-stone limit can accommodate two-axle HGVs and coaches, its narrow nature means slight misjudgements can have serious impacts. 'For the last two or three years I've been complaining to Cadw about the poor state of the bridge,' he said. 'With the high volume of traffic now seen in the Conwy Valley, a sustainable solution needs to be found urgently. 'Pedestrians use the bridge and we've seen that funding can be sourced for active travel schemes. A list of potential ideas must be drawn up and put out for public consultation.' Booming tourism in Eryri has brought more traffic into the Conwy Valley and its road infrastructure can struggle to cope. Notoriously, all four river crossings between Conwy town and Betws-y-Coed involve either single-lane bridges (Pont Fawr and Pont-y-Pair) or single-lane approaches (Talycafn and the Conwy town wall arch). 'There needs to be a more strategic approach to getting traffic across the river from the west side of the valley,' added Cllr Jones.
Rhyl Journal
7 days ago
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
New Llandudno to Liverpool train service welcomed by MS
This announcement from the Welsh Government is part of a campaign by the Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy, Janet Finch-Saunders. Ms Finch-Saunders said: "Llandudno is one of the United Kingdom's leading tourist destinations, seeing around 10 million visitors annually. "People travel here from all over the world, but we do owe a particular thanks to residents of North West England. "To help ensure that more can travel via public transport to Llandudno, it is common sense to increase the number of direct rail destinations, such as by adding Liverpool. "This will also be of major benefit to constituents who currently have to change in Chester if they want to go shopping in the so-called capital of North Wales. "I am delighted that my campaign has helped secure a direct connection to the regional capital." The news comes after the Welsh Government confirmed plans to create a high-frequency public transport network for North Wales. Improvements are planned over the next year, the next three years and up to 2035. The news was announced at the first-ever Public Transport Summit in Wrexham last week by Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates. He said: "UK Government, local government, Transport for Wales and English local authorities are working with us to deliver this bold programme of work to better connect communities, with more rail and bus services and greater integration, new stations, new transport routes, new trains, new buses, new technology. "A network of public transport services that will include cross-border turn-up and go bus and rail services, extending the Northern Arc from Hull to Holyhead. "With unprecedented partnership across governments, across borders and across the north, we have the opportunity to turn dreams into reality, to deliver on an enduring vision for what our a public transport network should look like. "Most importantly, we have an opportunity to deliver the principal purpose of public transport - to drive economic growth and prosperity for all. "We have already delivered significantly for South Wales with the South Wales Metro. "Building on the £800m investment in new trains, the majority of which are already serving the North Wales region, now is the right time for North Wales to get the same level of ambition. "More services. More new trains. A better railway for North Wales."
Wales Online
28-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
North Wales housing estate anti-social behaviour claim 'unbelievable'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A contentious discussion has erupted amongst North Wales Live readers as a result of a new Conwy housing development, focusing primarily on affordable housing implications and effects on community relationships. A central theme of this debate revolves around differing perspectives on what the term "affordable" signifies and the subsequent impacts of such projects. Amendments proposed to a significant development initiated in 2022 are stirring claims of increased anti-social conduct. In 2020, Cartrefi Conwy's subsidiary, Calon Homes, alongside Creating Enterprise, secured planning approval for the construction of 107 homes in the Maes-y-Felin scheme, Glan Conwy. Initially planned as a mix of market-rate houses and thirty percent allocated affordable homes, the project is currently half-built off the A470. However, Cartrefi Conwy now aims to modify the project plan by establishing 121 houses within the area; all will be the housing group's property and subsequently leased out. The motive behind this change, as stated by the group, stems from an urgent county-wide necessity for Wales-wide affordable housing. Despite this, Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders expressed her worry regarding the whole procedure. She insists that adherence to the original planning consent is paramount, cautioning that more homes would exacerbate traffic and put greater strain on local services. Additionally, she cautioned about a "considerably higher risk of anti-social behaviour and neighbour disputes on estates with a higher proportion of affordable housing". One of our readers, Steamnut writes: "Using that statement 'urgent need for affordable housing' again. Maybe they have not been able to sell all of the 'market value' properties and are looking at the rental sector to compensate or this was the plan all along. When ordinary property owners try to get or change planning permission the whole might of the planning department is brought to bear. Cartrefi Conwy should be made to stick to the original agreement." Everyyear adds: "Unbelievable. Does Janet Finch Saunders have any proof that affordable housing leads to increased anti-social behaviour? No, she does not. That term covers shared equity housing, so owner occupiers who cannot afford the full market price. A couple of decades ago, before the property boom, many of these people would have been able to buy homes at the market rate. No-one was suggesting then that they were likely to cause a rise in anti-social behaviour." PeteAM replies: "You have obviously never read any reports on the causes of crime, and they will all tell you the same. Areas of deprivation have higher crime rates. This suggests there is a strong link between poverty and crime. So yes having less money makes one more liable to behave criminally which is pretty obvious to most people, but keep wearing your blinkers and rose tinted spectacles." DaveT2912 adds: "In a village where the doctors and school are both full." Welshwitch1 believes: "It is an excellent opportunity to help the poor and unemployed people to have somewhere decent to live with dignity. It would enhance their lives and respect for one another. It would also give them an incentive to seek employment or training for work. Commentators don't be so negative, be more positive and forward looking please. Thank you." PeteAM says: "You seek employment or training for work first, that is what gives you dignity, self respect, respect for others, and the aspiration to buy your own property. Well that's what used to happen." CGX says: "Antisocial behaviour is not purely down to where you are on the housing ladder. There are very many people who own their own homes that contribute to ASB." Traderbucks writes: "When building housing expecting higher bad behaviour build a police house for a bobby so there is a local police presence." Indigodebz asks: "Who would buy a brand new home on a modern estate these days as you just don't know what the neighbourhood will become? You can't buy great neighbours." SCATHINGPEN says: "There's that word again, 'affordable'. I've asked many times, what is affordable in Wales? What do a couple, both working have to earn in order to afford, affordable? "There are homes for sale up and down the country that are obviously at the cheaper end of the market but, they take a long time to find a buyer or never seem to find a buyer. Is that because even the cheapest homes in Wales are beyond the financial reach of most? So, building affordable homes is pointless. "Welsh families won't buy many and they will be sold to buyers from outside the region. Then there's the phrase 'anti social behaviour'. Hardly a ringing endorsement for social cohesion and happy communities. Also another probable reason that private landlords have abandoned this sector. Ask any community, whether it's a street, an estate, a village, which would you prefer as neighbours? "Owner occupiers who are working and adhering to the rules of respect for those that live alongside them Or second home owners who do, despite what some claim, add to the local economy. Or perhaps holiday let's, that are not a permanent residence and therefore, not an unmoving problem of anti social behaviour? It only takes one antisocial family to ruin it for all the rest. A housing crisis is one thing. Housing problem tenants, is another." MickHookem answers: "'Affordable' means that the rents should be no more than 80% of the average local market rent, which means (in theory) that LHA should cover the rent in full." Haroc says: "These housing developments are going to pop up more and more to tackle the housing shortage for rentals, as private landlords sell up due to increasing pressures, constraints and higher taxations. There should be a clause put on these new builds for local residents who have a proven residence in the county for 20+ years and registered on the list. There are so many local families living in cramped conditions with their extended family or youngsters sofa surfing, but considered not a priority because they have family to rely on for keeping them off the streets." Do you agree or disagree with Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders? Comment below or HERE to join in the conversation.
North Wales Live
28-05-2025
- Business
- North Wales Live
North Wales housing estate anti-social behaviour claim 'unbelievable'
A contentious discussion has erupted amongst North Wales Live readers as a result of a new Conwy housing development, focusing primarily on affordable housing implications and effects on community relationships. A central theme of this debate revolves around differing perspectives on what the term "affordable" signifies and the subsequent impacts of such projects. Amendments proposed to a significant development initiated in 2022 are stirring claims of increased anti-social conduct. In 2020, Cartrefi Conwy 's subsidiary, Calon Homes, alongside Creating Enterprise, secured planning approval for the construction of 107 homes in the Maes-y-Felin scheme, Glan Conwy. Initially planned as a mix of market-rate houses and thirty percent allocated affordable homes, the project is currently half-built off the A470. However, Cartrefi Conwy now aims to modify the project plan by establishing 121 houses within the area; all will be the housing group's property and subsequently leased out. The motive behind this change, as stated by the group, stems from an urgent county-wide necessity for Wales-wide affordable housing. Despite this, Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders expressed her worry regarding the whole procedure. She insists that adherence to the original planning consent is paramount, cautioning that more homes would exacerbate traffic and put greater strain on local services. Additionally, she cautioned about a "considerably higher risk of anti-social behaviour and neighbour disputes on estates with a higher proportion of affordable housing". One of our readers, Steamnut writes: "Using that statement 'urgent need for affordable housing' again. Maybe they have not been able to sell all of the 'market value' properties and are looking at the rental sector to compensate or this was the plan all along. When ordinary property owners try to get or change planning permission the whole might of the planning department is brought to bear. Cartrefi Conwy should be made to stick to the original agreement." Everyyear adds: "Unbelievable. Does Janet Finch Saunders have any proof that affordable housing leads to increased anti-social behaviour? No, she does not. That term covers shared equity housing, so owner occupiers who cannot afford the full market price. A couple of decades ago, before the property boom, many of these people would have been able to buy homes at the market rate. No-one was suggesting then that they were likely to cause a rise in anti-social behaviour." PeteAM replies: "You have obviously never read any reports on the causes of crime, and they will all tell you the same. Areas of deprivation have higher crime rates. This suggests there is a strong link between poverty and crime. So yes having less money makes one more liable to behave criminally which is pretty obvious to most people, but keep wearing your blinkers and rose tinted spectacles." DaveT2912 adds: "In a village where the doctors and school are both full." Welshwitch1 believes: "It is an excellent opportunity to help the poor and unemployed people to have somewhere decent to live with dignity. It would enhance their lives and respect for one another. It would also give them an incentive to seek employment or training for work. Commentators don't be so negative, be more positive and forward looking please. Thank you." PeteAM says: "You seek employment or training for work first, that is what gives you dignity, self respect, respect for others, and the aspiration to buy your own property. Well that's what used to happen." CGX says: "Antisocial behaviour is not purely down to where you are on the housing ladder. There are very many people who own their own homes that contribute to ASB." Traderbucks writes: "When building housing expecting higher bad behaviour build a police house for a bobby so there is a local police presence." Indigodebz asks: "Who would buy a brand new home on a modern estate these days as you just don't know what the neighbourhood will become? You can't buy great neighbours." SCATHINGPEN says: "There's that word again, 'affordable'. I've asked many times, what is affordable in Wales? What do a couple, both working have to earn in order to afford, affordable? "There are homes for sale up and down the country that are obviously at the cheaper end of the market but, they take a long time to find a buyer or never seem to find a buyer. Is that because even the cheapest homes in Wales are beyond the financial reach of most? So, building affordable homes is pointless. "Welsh families won't buy many and they will be sold to buyers from outside the region. Then there's the phrase 'anti social behaviour'. Hardly a ringing endorsement for social cohesion and happy communities. Also another probable reason that private landlords have abandoned this sector. Ask any community, whether it's a street, an estate, a village, which would you prefer as neighbours? "Owner occupiers who are working and adhering to the rules of respect for those that live alongside them Or second home owners who do, despite what some claim, add to the local economy. Or perhaps holiday let's, that are not a permanent residence and therefore, not an unmoving problem of anti social behaviour? It only takes one antisocial family to ruin it for all the rest. A housing crisis is one thing. Housing problem tenants, is another." MickHookem answers: "'Affordable' means that the rents should be no more than 80% of the average local market rent, which means (in theory) that LHA should cover the rent in full." Haroc says: "These housing developments are going to pop up more and more to tackle the housing shortage for rentals, as private landlords sell up due to increasing pressures, constraints and higher taxations. There should be a clause put on these new builds for local residents who have a proven residence in the county for 20+ years and registered on the list. There are so many local families living in cramped conditions with their extended family or youngsters sofa surfing, but considered not a priority because they have family to rely on for keeping them off the streets."
