PADDLING pools in Llanfairfechan, Penmaenmawr, and Rhos-on-Sea are on the brink of re-opening. 

Final testing is currently underway at each site and Conwy County Borough Council are hoping to announce opening dates soon.

Storm Pierrick, which hit the North Wales coast on Tuesday, April 9, has slow progress at Craig y Don but work is said to be entering its final stages.

There could be a second reason for delays; Resident Dave Pinnock, who took the photo (above) whilst on his morning bike ride at 9am on Friday, May 10, claims he was told by workmen that the non-slip paint that was going to be used "failed a slip-test."

The local authority came under heavy criticism last year after it revealed in April last year that the paddling pools would not re-open for Summer 2023 due to a high risk of people slipping.

He said: "I spoke to the workmen and they told me that the non-slip paint that was going to be used failed a slip test so the delay has been finding an applicable non-slip material.

"The workmen said they have a special concrete and they were giving the pool a base coat on Friday morning.

"They also said the same applies to the other Conwy pools - Rhos, Llanfairfechan, etc. I was informed these have all had base coats."

A spokesperson for Conwy Council said: "The paddling pools at Llanfairfechan, Penmaenmawr and Rhos-on-Sea are nearly ready to re-open. Our team is currently carrying out final testing at each site.  We hope to announce the opening dates soon.

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"And thanks to last week’s dry weather, work is also progressing well at the Craig-y-Don paddling pool where the final stages of work are now underway."

The local authority did not comment on whether there was an issue with non-slip paint / whether it had failed a test.

Residents and visitors have waited a long time for the paddling pools to open.

According to a Freedom of Information request, pendulum 'slip tests' were carried out on the paddling pools in January 2023 and subsequent reports were received in February 2023. Slip tests revealed areas of concern at each of the paddling pools. 

At the "last minute", the UK supplier of the specialist product was unable to undertake the work on the paddling pools due to illness. 

A new local contractor had been identified by May 2023. Work to remedial issues started shortly after that time.