Windblown sand from the beach is reportedly wreaking havoc in a seaside town, sparking a council row as locals claim the issue is poorly managed.
Two ex-hoteliers claim sands from the dunes of Llandudno’s West Shore beach in Conwy, Wales is causing disruption as it spreads to pavements, roads and pathways.
When the sand settles underfoot, weeds soon grow and dogs wee on the sand leaving an “unhealthy smell”, Brenda Irving and Barbara Sandbach claim.
The locals, who both live near the beach, have submitted a petition to Conwy’s economy and place scrutiny committee, calling on the council to do more to manage the problem.
Their petition said: “The neglect of many areas is now very evident.
“Please do not let this get worse. Windblown sand is blocking waterways, walkways, paths either side of the sea wall.
“The paths off the seaside wall are unpassable for many users. It is impossible for families with prams, people in wheelchairs, many walkers using walking aids; all these, of course, like to be near the sea and the sands.”
Talking about the smell of urine allegedly developing around “almost all” benches on the beach’s promenade, it said: “People have spent money placing these memorial benches to respect their deceased loved ones.”
At the moment, the local council clears the sand and distributes it on the low watermark of the beach where it is naturally washed and wet, explained Cllr Mike Priestley, charing the meeting.
Chairing the council meeting, Cllr Mike Priestley said: “My understanding at the moment – and officers may correct me – is that once the windblown sands are blown over the sea defence and onto the road, it is classed as detritus.
“So we can no longer just put that on the beach. We’d have to look at that as detritus and dispose of it in that way.”
Cabinet member for the environment, Cllr Goronwy Edwards, said council officers would look at the issue.
Cllr Louise Emery noted that the sand gets into people’s houses, including inside people’s boilers.
Cllr Harry Saville concluded there isn’t a silver bullet for the problem and noted that people will understand the financial pressures facing the counil.
