The Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has sought to update residents on the Dolgarrog bridge closure, announcing that she will be holding a virtual community meeting later this month to confirm how concerns have progressed.  

The bridge currently provides the only access route to Dolgarrog Railway Station from the village of Dolgarrog. The virtual Microsoft Teams meeting will be held between 14:00 – 15:00 on the 19 March 2021. Residents can receive the necessary joining information by emailing Janet.Finch-Saunders@Senedd.Wales. 

Confirming the meeting, Janet said:  

“Since the concerning announcement that the crossing is to be permanently closed, I have been pleased to liaise with a number of relevant stakeholders. Following our correspondence, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water have agreed to attend a virtual meeting of relevant stakeholders.  

“In this meeting, I shall make clear local concerns that this bridge closure severs a community from its station, negatively impacts access to Snowdonia National Park, and will likely result in an increase in the use of private vehicles to access the West of the Conwy Valley. All of this is frustrating given the fantastic potential that Dolgarrog Railway Station has. 

“Whilst this stakeholder meeting will be a closed event, it is my wish for the local community to be updated on the outcome of the meeting as soon as possible. I am firmly of the belief that transparency remains key to any community cooperation as we push this concern forward.  

“As such, following the stakeholder session, I’m pleased to confirm that I will be hosting a virtual community meeting. I wholeheartedly encourage local residents to attend this meeting so that all outstanding concerns may be formally registered and actioned.” 

ENDS 

Notes for Editors: 

• The Dolgarrog bridge carries two water mains over the River Conwy. In 1982, Welsh Water agreed with Conwy Council that they would allow the bridge to be used as a walkway by the public. However, it is not a designated footpath nor a public right of way.
• To find Janet's previous comments on this closure, please click here. 

Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS