LOOK: Proposed improvements for Colwyn Bay town centre

Plans, put forward by Conwy County Borough Council, aim to improve the pedestrian and cycling experience around the town centre. 

This is to encourage active travel commuting between Colwyn Bay town centre and Old Colwyn in the hopes more visitors will walk and cycle to the area.

The scheme includes: Redeveloping the Colwyn Bay railway station forecourt; Enhancing Colwyn Bay town centre; Upgrading active travel routes on Abergele Road and related junctions.; Upgrading active travel routes through Eirias Park; Introducing electric vehicle charging points; Improving the active travel network by connecting to existing routes and redesigning the road network to make it easier for people to walk and cycle and to improve connections to the town centre

Cllr Goronwy Edwards, Cabinet Member for Environment, Roads and Facilities – Infrastructure, said: "This is an opportunity for residents and businesses to contribute their views on these plans to improve access around Colwyn Bay town centre. We want to enhance public spaces and make it easier and safer for people to get around, providing economic opportunities for local business.

"I’d encourage people to take the time to look at the plans and give their opinions.”

A four week public consultation was launched on October 17.

The plans will be on display at Coed Pella offices in Colwyn Bay on Friday, October 27 from 1.30pm to 6.30pm.

The same information is also available on the Council’s website.

Here is everything that's planned

Colwyn Bay railway station forecourt

Artist impression showing how Colwyn Bay railway station forecourt could look (Image: Conwy County Borough Council)
Conwy Council say the railway station forecourt is a key location that could benefit from accessibility improvements.  The existing layout is car dominated.  It can be a physical barrier for people, particularly those with mobility issues, to access the train station or travel from the station to the town centre.

A description into plans states: "The area is a key gateway into Colwyn Bay, which visitors navigate when arriving or leaving by train.  The existing layout means people may find it unappealing to travel between the train station, promenade, town centre and other parts of the town.  There is an opportunity to replace the forecourt carpark with an attractive public square, giving a good first impression of the town centre.

"There is also an opportunity to encourage people to travel sustainably, with facilities for cyclists (such as bicycle storage) and pedestrians (such as wider paths) and electric vehicle charging points."

Key issues

• Substandard access for pedestrians, with narrow paths and poor links to town centre.
• Pedestrian areas in need of maintenance with surfacing and missing tactile paving.
• The walking routes are indirect between the railway station and other key areas.
• Lack of cycle facilities including routes and parking.

Proposals

• Create an improved gateway with a new plaza, incorporating higher quality paving, planting and areas for people to meet and relax.
• Provide better connections between the town centre, railway station and promenade by providing new wider paths for pedestrians and cyclists.
• Keep taxi and vehicle drop-off areas at the train station.
• Relocate existing parking in the forecourt to the former Market Hall site, add extra disabled parking and electric vehicle charging points.
• Add secure bicycle parking.
• Add new wayfinding signs to make it easier for people to find their way to the key local attractions.

Station Road

Artist impression for revamped Station Road in Colwyn Bay (Image: Conwy County Borough Council)
Conwy Council say that Station Road is one of the main shopping areas in the town centre and is pedestrianised during the day.  A market is held in this location every month. Vehicles can enter from Abergele Road in the evening for loading and disabled parking.  Automatic bollards are set up to control vehicle access during prohibited times (pedestrianisation).

A description into plans states: "Outside the pedestrianised times, Station Road includes a roadway for vehicles and designated pedestrian areas on each side.  This road connects Abergele Road/Conway Road to Princes Drive, making it a popular route to get to the promenade and the train station. 

"Station Road has had public realm improvements including lighting, seating, and some planting."

Key issues

• The road suffers from some parking issues, whether accessed during periods when the bollards are lowered or illegally accessed from Princes Drive through the No Entry signing.  This can make the area congested with parked vehicles, making it difficult for pedestrians to travel through.
• No loading or disabled parking spaces along the street, which is inconvenient outside the pedestrianisation hours.
• Even though bicycles travel in both directions unofficially, there are no designated cycle facilities that allow cyclists to travel up the road.
• Lack of cycle parking.

Proposals

• Keep the existing automatic bollard system.  Provide an additional bollard to prevent drivers accessing Station Road from the passageway link through to Penrhyn Road.
• Introduce loading bays on the western side of Station Road.
• Introduce a mix of planting and street furniture to prevent parking in pedestrian areas.
• Add trees and plants to make the area look more attractive to shoppers and visitors.
• Create new raised junctions at both ends of Station Road to improve safety and make road crossing easier for pedestrians.
• Add a new contraflow cycle lane and cycle parking.
• Add new wayfinding signs to make it easier for people to find their way to the key local attractions.

Penrhyn Road

Visualisation for Penrhyn Road (Image: Conwy County Borough Council)
Penrhyn Road connects Princes Drive to Abergele Road / Conway Road. On both sides of the street, there are shops, outside seating and places to eat and drink.  The two-lane, one-way street (southbound) is approximately 6.5 metres wide.  There are spaces for time restricted parking on both sides of the street. 

A description into plans states: "The current pavements, although wide, are reduced by building canopies and other street furniture, including areas of planting. 

"The public space is generally appealing and of good quality."

Key issues

• Even though most pavements are wider than 2 metres, the additional street furniture and seating areas sometimes make it difficult for pedestrians to move around.
• Pedestrian crossings can be improved.
• Continuous parking on either side of the road can make it hard for pedestrians to see oncoming traffic, especially when people are entering the road between parked cars.
• The 6.5 metre width for a one-way road is wider than normal, encouraging higher speeds.
• There are currently no designated cycle facilities (such as a cycle contraflow lane) that allow cyclists to travel down the road (north).

Proposals

• Narrow the road to make the walking area larger and give people more walking and seating areas along Penrhyn Road.
• Add raised planters for trees and plants with integrated seating, to make the area look more attractive.  Trees and plants would be located on the western side of the road where there is currently parking.  Additional parking spaces are included in the proposed car park development of the Old Market Hall site.
• Create new raised junctions at both ends of Penrhyn Road to improve safety and make crossing easier for pedestrians.
• Add a new contraflow cycle lane and cycle parking.
• Add new wayfinding signs to make it easier for people to find their way to the key local attractions.

Ivy Street car park

Current road layout, Ivy Street Car Park (Image: Conwy County Borough Council)
Conwy Council say the existing car park has been identified for improvements to encourage its use.  The current car park area is under used, unattractive and feels like an isolated space which can also attract antisocial behaviour.

A description into plans states: "The proposal includes removing the public toilets (which are closed due to vandalism) and creating a more user-friendly car park.  An improved layout would provide an additional pedestrian/cycle route from Abergele Road to Princes Drive and onwards to the railway station and promenade.

"The Ivy Street proposal would help to create an attractive town centre with a network of safer and more direct walking and cycling routes to, from and through the car park."

Key issues

• On the route through the existing carpark there are no paths so pedestrians must walk in the road or through parking areas.
• Many drivers leave their cars on the pavement near to the toilet block, obstructing pedestrian routes.
• Anti-social behaviour may limit the attractiveness of the route.
• No cycle parking provided.
• Some buildings and areas of public space are in a poor condition.

Proposals

• Create a walking and cycling path that connects Abergele Road and Princes Drive along the western edge of the car park.
• Introduce planting, trees and other street furniture to improve the attractiveness of the area.
• Improve the car park layout to maximise parking spaces and make access and exit easier.
• Widen pavement at junction with Sea View Road.
• Demolish the toilets to create a more appealing landscaped area.
• Add secure bicycle parking.
• Add electric car charging points.

Princes Drive and the link through to the promenade

Artist's impression Princes Drive and link through (Image: Conwy County Borough Council)
Conwy Council say that this proposal is for the section of Princes Drive from Penrhyn Road to the promenade.

Princes Drive is a key street as it connects Station Road, Penrhyn Road, Sea View Road, Bay View Centre, and the promenade.  The current layout can be improved for people to walk or cycle between the town centre, the train station and the promenade. 

A description into plans states: "The old Market Hall site will be used as a car park to make up for reduced car parking spaces in other areas of the town centre."

Key issues

• The existing pedestrian/cycle route along Princes Drive and under the railway bridge lacks appeal to encourage visitors to move between the town centre and the promenade.  There is currently no surveillance and there is poor lighting under the bridge.
• Street furniture between the railway bridge and promenade obstructs the path for people on foot and bicycle.
• There are currently no designated cycle facilities on Princes Drive.
• The existing pedestrian crossing position on Princes Drive does not line up with the ‘desire line’ from the train station to the town centre.
• The existing signage needs improving.
• Landscaping areas could be made more attractive. 

Proposals

• Create new raised table junctions at Station Road and Penrhyn Road to make it safer and easier for people to cross the road.
• Reduce the width of the road to 6 metres to widen walking and cycling areas and encourage slower traffic speeds, improving road safety.
• Develop the former Market Hall area into a car park with electric car charging points and links to the train station.
• Move the toucan crossing to a more convenient location at the bottom of Station Road, providing direct route to the town centre from the railway station.
• Improve the paved seating area on the south of Princes Drive, to make it a more open and attractive public space, including planting and trees.
• Add a new parallel crossing between the link from the promenade and the seating area on the south side of Princes Drive.
• Improve the lighting under the railway bridge.
• Provide a new parallel crossing and a shared path on the northern side of the promenade, linking in to the cycleway along the beach.
• Streamline street furniture between the railway bridge and promenade, introduce planting areas and make visual improvements to the railway bridge.
• Add new wayfinding signs to make it easier for people to find their way to the key local attractions.

Abergele Road - Active Travel

Abergele Road: current road layout (Image: Conwy County Borough Council)
Conwy Council say that The A547 Abergele Road is the main road to and from Old Colwyn in the east and Colwyn Bay town centre in the west. It joins Conway Road just past the intersection with Station Road. 

It also links a number of residential areas with Theatr Colwyn, Stadiwm CSM (Eirias Stadium), Colwyn Leisure Centre, North Wales Police HQ, and schools.

Key issues

• No on or off-road cycling facilities along this section.
• Some locations lack dropped kerbs or tactile paving to help pedestrians with visual impairment or mobility issues. Some side road crossings require improvements.
• Some pavements along the route are narrow and may require maintenance.
• Current road widths are not ideal for cyclists.
• A review of the pedestrian crossing points shows that improvements can be made.
• Existing roundabouts currently take up significant road space and create wider distances for people crossing the road.

Proposals

• Provide a continuous and widened shared path for pedestrians and cyclists on the northern side of Abergele Road from the Marine roundabout by Rotary Way to Station Road.
• Add parallel crossing facilities at the Marine roundabout.
• Narrow the road width to 6 metres, promoting road safety by reducing vehicle speeds.
• Relocate on-street parking spaces to side streets where possible to make room for the improvements.
• Relocate and widen toucan and uncontrolled crossing points to improve pedestrian convenience and comfort.
• Add new raised junctions at major intersections to improve safety and make crossing easier for pedestrians.
• Provide new dropped kerbs, tactile paving, and raised side road crossings, improving pedestrian safety and comfort.
• Increase the size of bus stop waiting areas and add new shelters.
• Create landscaped areas including trees and rain gardens along Abergele Road.

Eirias Park - Active Travel

Eirias Park: current road layout (Image: Conwy County Borough Council)
In Eirias Park, there are a number of routes that link the stadium, leisure centre, schools, and North Wales Police headquarters. 

Conwy Council say by making these routes easier for people to use, there is an opportunity to create a route from Old Colwyn that is mostly free of traffic.  This way, people can avoid the busy A547 route.

Key issues

• Some existing paths are too narrow in places for both pedestrians and cyclists.
• Walking and cycling links between Abergele Road and the leisure centre could be improved.
• The leisure centre car park is not convenient to walk and cycle through and would benefit from a dedicated route.

Proposals

• Upgrade shared paths in the park by making them wider and resurface them as needed.
• Introduce a new shared use path alongside the Eirias Park football pitch.
• Widen and resurface the pavements along Eirias Road for improved connectivity between Abergele Road and Eirias High School.
• Improve street lighting along the routes where required.
• Add new wayfinding signs to make it easier for people to find their way to the key local attractions.

Improve the leisure centre car park and surrounding area to allow for better access to and from the leisure centre.

To submit your feedback on the proposed improvements in Colwyn Bay town centre, click here.

The consultation closes on November 14.

Readers can also write to: ERF, PO Box 1, Conwy LL30 9GN or telephone 01492 575337.