New 'mini-pier' has opened off coast of North Wales - and people 'love it'

A new 'mini-pier' has opened off the coast of North Wales and local people are loving it. The new structure is officially a fishing platform and forms part of an £18m seafront defence scheme in Old Colwyn, funded by Welsh Government.

It has seen that part of the Colwyn seafront - between Splash Point (Old Colwyn Arches) and Rotary Way - closed for three years. But the essential work was needed to protect homes, the A55 and North Wales main line.

The promenade road opened last month and now the new pier is also accessible to the public after final works were completed by contractor Griffiths on that. Residents are pleased that can now reclaim their prom and are delighted with the new jetty. Read more: Wales tourism tax: What we know so far about visitor levy, from when it's coming in to who will pay

The only issue now may be that fisherman could have a battle on their hands to claim the structure as their own.

Local photographer Snowdon Curtis, who has been given special access to the site and the team during the works, has taken pictures of the now open pier. He said the general reaction has been very positive and that most people say the pier "feels a lot bigger than they thought it would be".

On Facebook, another resident said: "I went down there tonight, isn't it lovely, so nice and lots of rails to hold. The flooring is very nice to walk on and doesn't hurt my legs, I love it."

Another said: "Looking fantastic, drove through yesterday very impressed." One person has suggested that new facilities are now needed to cater for those visiting this part of the prom.

They said: "Just visited the new pier/jetty on this glorious morning - thinking it would be great if someone opened a coffee van somewhere nearby. Would be great for walkers, dog walkers and cyclists! Any local businesss thinking about this?"

But one person did add: "Thought it was for people to use for fishing."

The work on the seafront included building a 720m long rock barricade in front of the existing seawall using 160,000 tonnes of rock, raising the promenade and road by 1.5 metres, and adding new beach access steps. The promenade road initially closed in May 2021 for an 18 month period, before Conwy County Borough Council secured extra funding to complete all the work required on this stretch, extending the project to spring 2024.

It has been a long wait but the general verdict is that it's a job well done.