Latest news with #JanetFinchSaunders
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Residents could finally get better access to train station that's bears village's name
While it bears the name of Dolgarrog - the Conwy Valley station has never really been particularly accessible to people in the village. The station is situated on the opposite side of the Afon Conwy from Dolgarrog with a rough and sometimes boggy track also in the way. This contributed to it serving just 612 passengers in 2017/18 - the lowest of any station in Wales that year. The situation was compounded in 2021 when the pipe bridge over the river closed to the public due to concerns over its condition. There were fears it would never reopen. But a campaign was launched, backed by Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders and others, to get a crossing back. This eventually secured funding of £1.2m from Dwr Cymru and a £735,000 Welsh Government grant for Conwy County Borough Council to restore the bridge. READ MORE: Desperate attempts were made to save campervan swamped by sea at Gwynedd beach READ MORE: When will A55 Conwy Tunnels reopen after devastating fire This was reopened in 2023 and passenger numbers rose to just over 2,000 in 2023/24. But the paths from the village mean it's still not exactly a convenient option for locals or tourists wanting to use the Conwy Valley Line. Now though Conwy council has secured additional Welsh Government active travel funds for improvements to the existing Public Rights of Way, which connects Dolgarrog Railway Station to the B5106. The works are to be undertaken this financial year. The Local Authority is currently working on access agreements with interested landowners and will be aiming to undertake a public engagement exercise soon. Once the access agreements are in place, they will push forward with a procurement and construction phase programme. This would improve the path that emerges near the former Lord Newborough pub on the B5106. There are hopes that more money in the future could develop a link to Clark Street, which comes out in the centre of the village. MS Janet Finch-Saunders said: "Since the horrendous decision by Welsh Water to permanently close Dolgarrog Bridge, I have been pleased to lead the group of stakeholders who have succeeded to convince the water company to make a massive U-turn, and secure a £1.9m investment. 'As part of that stakeholder group it was a pleasure to work with representatives of both Dolgarrog Community Council and Conwy County Borough Council. By working together we have delivered for our community. "In fact, I have kept up the pressure and am delighted that funding has been secured to build an active travel route between Dolgarrog and the railway station this financial year. A special thanks goes to the Local Authority officials who submitted the application and are working on the plans going forward. 'Whilst my understanding is that this phase of the development will see the route reach Dolgarrog by the old Lord Newborough pub, there remains and ambition to develop a route along Clark Street in the future, but that would require further funding. 'The most import point of all is that the bridge, which following our united community campaign, Welsh Water has thankfully invested significantly in, will now have high standard accessible paths leading to it. This is excellent news." Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone
Daily Mail
02-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Cause of death for vulnerable boy, 16, who vanished while on holiday sparking a massive four-day search is revealed
The cause of death of a vulnerable teenage boy, who went missing while on holiday, has been revealed in an inquest today. Athrun Lombardo, 16, was first reported missing on May 10, while he was on holiday with his parents and brother in Llandudno, north Wales. The teenager, who was autistic, had last been seen that Saturday near a boating lake and playpark at West Shore Beach. Sea, land and air searches had been carried out in the area involving the police, coastguard, and RNLI, as well as members of the public. After a four-day major search for Athrun, his body was recovered at 6.20pm near the West Shore area. An inquest today heard how his family from Pinkers Mead, Emersons Green, Bristol had been staying at an AirBnB at the time. Following a post-mortem examination Home Office pathologist Dr Jonathan Medcalf gave a provisional cause of death as drowning. The inquest was adjourned to a date to be fixed. Last May, Chief Inspector Trystan Bevan expressed his 'deepest condolences' to Athrun's family after his death. 'I would ask for their privacy to be respected at this incredibly sad and difficult time,' he said. 'This is not the outcome anyone hoped for, and I would once again like to thank partner agencies and members of the public for their overwhelming support and tireless assistance with the searches over the last five days.' Janet Finch-Saunders, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy, also posted a poignant tribute on Facebook to Athrun following his death. 'I am incredibly sad to learn of the tragic and very distressing outcome and I thank North Wales Police for providing such a difficult update,' she said. 'My thoughts and prayers are now with his parents, family and friends and we should allow them the privacy to grieve over their dreadful loss.'
