Appeal for probe into Y Felinheli sea wall collapse

Aug 14 2008 by Alex Hickey, Caernarfon and Denbigh Herald

CALLS have been made for an investigation after a 200-year-old sea defence wall collapsed.

A large section of the 30ft high sea defence wall, understood to be owned by Port Dinorwic Marina, disappeared into the waters at Felinheli, on the Menai Strait, on Tuesday, exposing gardens and homes to the sea.

Residents now fear that unless urgent repairs are carried out to the wall, then a combination of high tides and adverse weather could threaten their homes.

Peter Gee, 58, of Hen Gei Llechi, part of the marina, said: “I was in the lounge at around 8.30am when I heard a loud rumbling sound. I was convinced it was an mini earthquake, a tremor, it felt exactly like that.

“But then I looked out of our window and saw that the sea wall had disappeared into the sea. I couldn’t believe it.

“I walked out into the garden and there was around 60ft of the wall gone, and water was up to the inner wall and that was also getting damaged.

“I was worried about going to the edge because I feared it may collapse even further. I can’t believe so much has gone in just seconds.

“We have been raising this issue for some time now, especially since pontoons were attached to the wall six years ago, which we believe has added strain to the wall.

“They cannot ignore this now. If they do then we have real concerns about the damage that will be caused to the inner wall and our gardens by the sea.”

His wife Gwyneth said: “We have had concerns about the state of the wall for some time and have spoken to the council and the harbour master about this but we never thought something like this would happen so suddenly. It’s very worrying. It is panic stations now when this could have been avoided.”

The marina homes were built in 1997 but the dock wall dates back to the 19th century when the dock was constructed to export slate from the Dinorwic Slate Quarries.

Felinheli councillor Sian Gwenllian said: “An investigation needs to be conducted to find put what happened here.”

Environment officers inspected the damage to the wall on Wednesday.

Port Dinorwic Marina refused comment on the matter.

alex.hickey