Electric sea gliders link from Llandudno to Liverpool to ‘revitalise …

Electric-powered sea gliders could be used to glide tourists into Llandudno ^[1] from Liverpool. The ambitious proposal is one of several in a 10-year plan to turbo charge the regeneration of one of North Wales' most popular resorts.

Conwy County Council ^[2] will target external funding from the Welsh Government to help realise its ambition. As well as the sea gliders link to Liverpool, the council also aims to secure a cruise-liner route; reopen the paddling pool; create an outdoor event space at Bodafon fields and restore sand to the North Shore Beach in a bid to revitalise the "Queen of Welsh Resorts".

The economy and place overview and scrutiny committee met at the council’s Bodlondeb HQ to review a report of more than 130 pages which lays out how Llandudno can be reinvigorated.

The report said the projects, and initiatives listed within it were aspirational and that external funding would be sought to help deliver them. Cllr Louise Emery said she had been told the rate of vacant shops in the town was now under 5% and was excited about the ideas contained in the report.

She said: "We have to hold on to the fact that Llandudno is an incredibly popular place. Yes, it does look a bit tired at the edges. Yes, we can provide a better visitor amenity, more toilets, wi-fi, etc. I feel very hopeful because we've got some crazy ideas.

Llandudno and the Great Orme

"I love the electric-powered sea gliders to Liverpool and back. But within those crazy ideas there's also really genuine projects."

She then said more could be done to work with outside investors, the town council, and community groups: "I feel really positive that we will go out and get this money with the whole community together. Brilliant report."

Cllr Tom Mongomery agreed: "It is about working with private businesses to achieve a lot of this. I think it's a great report. It's great to see so much opportunity for Llandudno."

Cllr Goronwy Edwards is Conwy ^[5]’s cabinet member for roads and facilities and said rail links into the town needed to be improved: Llandudno is a very important part of Conwy's infrastructure and attraction. But certainly as far as Llandudno, I would like to see our AMs and MPs pushing for the Network Rail and the rail companies of this country to look at Llandudno again.

"We know that Virgin introduced a service that came into Llandudno and an awful lot of money was spent on the station. It is unfortunate that still most of the visitors come into Conwy via car or coach. Let's try and get a better service directly into Llandudno.”

The Conwy Destination Management Plan was also backed at the same meeting. The report will now go to cabinet.

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References

^{^} Llandudno (www.dailypost.co.uk)
^{^} Conwy County Council (www.dailypost.co.uk)
^{^} The North Wales 20mph test town where locals say 'we told you so' (www.dailypost.co.uk)
^{^} Salvage Hunter Drew Pritchard born to find gold in junk has 'binned my old life' (www.dailypost.co.uk)
^{^} Conwy (www.dailypost.co.uk)
^{^} Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter (www.dailypost.co.uk)