The Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy – Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has today (12 August) welcomed a commitment by Conwy County Borough Council to safely reopen Pen y Dre play area in Llanrwst, upon an improvement of its current condition. 

The park was closed after the flood event of 9th February 2020, which resulted in saturation of the playing surface, deposition of silt and debris, as well as damage to the playing equipment. According to Council officials, the water logging was still in place in March when the COVID-19 lock down came into place. 

Commenting on the announcement, Janet said:  

“Following cooperation with a fantastic local community effort, I welcome the news that Conwy County Borough Council are to install matting in the Pen y Dre play area, in anticipation of its reopening as soon as the repair work is complete. 

“The park will also receive attention from contractors who will set about clearing and reseeding the site. Residents were rightly perturbed by overgrown flora and discarded debris around park, and so I was pleased to facilitate an opening of communications with the Council to get this resolved. 

“Conwy County Borough Council have also committed to investigating a possible relocation of the site, in the longer term, to avert damage from future instances of flooding. A review into such facilities is being undertaken across Conwy county.  

“It is vital to get this play park reopened in a safe manner, as quickly as possible, especially at this time of public health worry. When numerous governmental administrations have noted the importance of exercise to lowering the risk of COVID-19, the long-term closure of this facility would represent a real impediment to opportunities for exercise for local residents.” 

ENDS