Comments for Trefriw.org http://www.trefriw.org The village of Trefriw in the beautiful Conwy Valley North Wales Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:40:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on My thoughts on the Community Travel Plan by adming http://www.trefriw.org/2012/01/my-thoughts-on-the-community-travel-plan/#comment-177 adming Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:40:48 +0000 http://www.trefriw.org/?p=608#comment-177 Well - that is that then. Nothing decided within the time frame of the funding. A damn shame really that Trefriw was not able to take advantage of this money made available for it. Well – that is that then.
Nothing decided within the time frame of the funding.
A damn shame really that Trefriw was not able to take advantage of this money made available for it.

]]> Comment on My thoughts on the Community Travel Plan by adming http://www.trefriw.org/2012/01/my-thoughts-on-the-community-travel-plan/#comment-174 adming Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:45:46 +0000 http://www.trefriw.org/?p=608#comment-174 Hi Frances, welcome to the discussion :) Just a note on "why not a lollipop lady ?? nice friendly crossing attendant in a high viz jacket and tall lollipop surely could be spotted from either direction from a reasonable stopping distance ?" This has been regularly asked for, and the response from Conwy Council has been "The location is too dangerous for a Lollypop Person" Hi Frances, welcome to the discussion :)
Just a note on “why not a lollipop lady ?? nice friendly crossing attendant in a high viz jacket and tall lollipop surely could be spotted from either direction from a reasonable stopping distance ?”
This has been regularly asked for, and the response from Conwy Council has been “The location is too dangerous for a Lollypop Person”

]]> Comment on My thoughts on the Community Travel Plan by frances http://www.trefriw.org/2012/01/my-thoughts-on-the-community-travel-plan/#comment-173 frances Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:35:01 +0000 http://www.trefriw.org/?p=608#comment-173 I speak as a resident of Trefriw, I came to live in this beautiful village just 2 years ago but still count myself lucky to live in such an unspoilt picturesque village as Trefriw. I've come into this debate at a late stage having been unaware of the proposed plans until a few days ago- I apologise for my late awakening ! but I am now sitting up and listening and I am not impressed with what I am hearing. I think it would be immensely sad to see these proposed plans for a bus stop and roundabout on Gowers to go ahead. I don't have children that attend the village school, but I do speak as a resident and user of the Gowers road on a daily basis, to park my car, or to walk and sometimes run ! Just this afternoon I took a walk down Gowers to Llanrwst, it was a bitterly cold morning but that couldn't take away what a stunning vista of the Conwy valley and the alpine village of Trefriw I and all who enjoy walking there, see. To so many this is a recreational area. Stepping onto the Gowers road is the beginning of mine and hundreds of other walkers, joggers and cyclists' few hours of peace, open space and fresh air. Today I saw several groups of visitors preparing to walk, a young family strolling, a local dad walking with his young daughter -she was on her scooter and happily scooting around her dad in big circle both engrossed in conversation with each other. It was quiet and peaceful, I didn't feel the need to keep checking over my shoulder for traffic or hug the sides of the road to stay safe. Yes in summer you can quadruple the visitors parking and the number of locals and visitors out for a stroll, although traffic does use the road to access the re-cycle bins there is no heavy flow of traffic, just a very slow trickle (nor have I ever seen a coach turning by the playing fields! if they do then its not that often)! It never gives off that congested traffic laden 'road' feel. I feel all that would change overnight. Parking just to visit the public loos or Glanrafon Store would become a walk in itself, you would'nt feel safe letting your children run on ahead of you down to the swings, as residents needing to park, guests at the B & B's, coaches and visitors vehicles would be pushed further down Gowers no doubt all the way to the playing fields in summer by virtue of the fact their usual parking lots would no longer be there, coaches and cars parked up all down Gowers, and at the beginning of this ;by my reckoning; over 150 year old way, will be a roundabout and bus stop. In my view we would be being robbed of sizeable part of our recreational area, one used for generations. So, what have I learnt this week Parents have said they would rather do without a crossing if it means a roundabout on Gowers. Good, in the light of the alternative that seems sensible and I support that opinion until a suitable compromise can be found if at all. But some say its not about the Gowers children. so, if not just them then, 1/where would mothers driving their children to school park ? logic dictates further down Gowers of course, and after negotiating buses and other traffic on the roundabout to arrive to the designated crossing, surely if your going to walk your child that far, why don't you cross the last few feet with them. 2/as someone who crosses the B5106 several times a day I have never had a problem, its not a known black spot is it ? by virtue of the fact the bridge only allows for vehicles crossing in one direction at a time, traffic naturally slows down, visibility left and right is clear, its not difficult to judge a safe time to cross. aside: why not a lollipop lady ?? nice friendly crossing attendant in a high viz jacket and tall lollipop surely could be spotted from either direction from a reasonable stopping distance ? 3/what is the long term plans for the School itself ? will it there in a few years or have been closed and absorbed into larger combined schools further down the valley or Llanrwst ? 4/what about the value of houses on Gowers ? surely being adjacent to a roundabout will de-value your home ?.. would you rather buy a house on a no through road or one placed opposite/on a traffic island ? As regards to the amount of hard work put into the project by our local Councillors , well, that's laudable, and we appreciate everyone's hard work and efforts. But if the findings show the outcome is not right for the village, then its not right, the funds can be utilised elsewhere to some other worthy project, its not being put into the shredder or burnt to cinders at the bottom of The Welsh Assemblies back garden ! after all two wrongs don't make a right and up to this point I can think of four wrongs at least. last observation I noticed on my walk along Gowers today a sign erected by the Welsh Assembly and the Construction company that completed the flood barriers, it stated that works had been undertaken under the 'considerate constructors' scheme. Pity that right now there seems to be little consideration to what the majority want. I speak as a resident of Trefriw, I came to live in this beautiful village just 2 years ago but still count myself lucky to live in such an unspoilt picturesque village as Trefriw. I’ve come into this debate at a late stage having been unaware of the proposed plans until a few days ago- I apologise for my late awakening ! but I am now sitting up and listening and I am not impressed with what I am hearing. I think it would be immensely sad to see these proposed plans for a bus stop and roundabout on Gowers to go ahead. I don’t have children that attend the village school, but I do speak as a resident and user of the Gowers road on a daily basis, to park my car, or to walk and sometimes run !
Just this afternoon I took a walk down Gowers to Llanrwst, it was a bitterly cold morning but that couldn’t take away what a stunning vista of the Conwy valley and the alpine village of Trefriw I and all who enjoy walking there, see. To so many this is a recreational area. Stepping onto the Gowers road is the beginning of mine and hundreds of other walkers, joggers and cyclists’ few hours of peace, open space and fresh air. Today I saw several groups of visitors preparing to walk, a young family strolling, a local dad walking with his young daughter -she was on her scooter and happily scooting around her dad in big circle both engrossed in conversation with each other. It was quiet and peaceful, I didn’t feel the need to keep checking over my shoulder for traffic or hug the sides of the road to stay safe. Yes in summer you can quadruple the visitors parking and the number of locals and visitors out for a stroll, although traffic does use the road to access the re-cycle bins there is no heavy flow of traffic, just a very slow trickle (nor have I ever seen a coach turning by the playing fields! if they do then its not that often)! It never gives off that congested traffic laden ‘road’ feel.
I feel all that would change overnight.
Parking just to visit the public loos or Glanrafon Store would become a walk in itself, you would’nt feel safe letting your children run on ahead of you down to the swings, as residents needing to park, guests at the B & B’s, coaches and visitors vehicles would be pushed further down Gowers no doubt all the way to the playing fields in summer by virtue of the fact their usual parking lots would no longer be there, coaches and cars parked up all down Gowers, and at the beginning of this ;by my reckoning; over 150 year old way, will be a roundabout and bus stop.
In my view we would be being robbed of sizeable part of our recreational area, one used for generations.
So, what have I learnt this week
Parents have said they would rather do without a crossing if it means a roundabout on Gowers. Good, in the light of the alternative that seems sensible and I support that opinion until a suitable compromise can be found if at all.
But some say its not about the Gowers children. so, if not just them then,
1/where would mothers driving their children to school park ? logic dictates further down Gowers of course, and after negotiating buses and other traffic on the roundabout to arrive to the designated crossing, surely if your going to walk your child that far, why don’t you cross the last few feet with them.
2/as someone who crosses the B5106 several times a day I have never had a problem, its not a known black spot is it ? by virtue of the fact the bridge only allows for vehicles crossing in one direction at a time, traffic naturally slows down, visibility left and right is clear, its not difficult to judge a safe time to cross.
aside: why not a lollipop lady ?? nice friendly crossing attendant in a high viz jacket and tall lollipop surely could be spotted from either direction from a reasonable stopping distance ?
3/what is the long term plans for the School itself ? will it there in a few years or have been closed and absorbed into larger combined schools further down the valley or Llanrwst ?
4/what about the value of houses on Gowers ? surely being adjacent to a roundabout will de-value your home ?.. would you rather buy a house on a no through road or one placed opposite/on a traffic island ?
As regards to the amount of hard work put into the project by our local Councillors , well, that’s laudable, and we appreciate everyone’s hard work and efforts. But if the findings show the outcome is not right for the village, then its not right, the funds can be utilised elsewhere to some other worthy project, its not being put into the shredder or burnt to cinders at the bottom of The Welsh Assemblies back garden ! after all two wrongs don’t make a right and up to this point I can think of four wrongs at least.
last observation
I noticed on my walk along Gowers today a sign erected by the Welsh Assembly and the Construction company that completed the flood barriers, it stated that works had been undertaken under the ‘considerate constructors’ scheme.
Pity that right now there seems to be little consideration to what the majority want.

]]> Comment on My thoughts on the Community Travel Plan by Valerie Hannah http://www.trefriw.org/2012/01/my-thoughts-on-the-community-travel-plan/#comment-172 Valerie Hannah Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:02:39 +0000 http://www.trefriw.org/?p=608#comment-172 I would like to make the situation absolutely clear to anyone who thinks that I, as Clerk to the Council, have been paid for any of the work I have done in relation to the Trefriw Travel Plan. Until Jan 13th 2011 I was a councillor and councillors are not paid for any of their work. From Jan 14th 2011, when I was appointed Clerk, I have not been paid for any of the work I have done, because it is illegal to pay former councillors for 12 months after they cease to be councillors. Therefore, my PAID employment began on 14th January 2012. During the year I have worked an average of 70 hours per month for the council and community of Trefriw and have been happy to do so. However, all this does make me wonder whether I want to continue with the voluntary work that I am currently doing as a member of the Tŷ Bach Trefriw Community Group – a group which is working to prevent Trefriw’s Public Conveniences from closing. I too could stay home and watch TV instead! I would like to make the situation absolutely clear to anyone who thinks that I, as Clerk to the Council, have been paid for any of the work I have done in relation to the Trefriw Travel Plan.
Until Jan 13th 2011 I was a councillor and councillors are not paid for any of their work.
From Jan 14th 2011, when I was appointed Clerk, I have not been paid for any of the work I have done, because it is illegal to pay former councillors for 12 months after they cease to be councillors. Therefore, my PAID employment began on 14th January 2012.
During the year I have worked an average of 70 hours per month for the council and community of Trefriw and have been happy to do so.
However, all this does make me wonder whether I want to continue with the voluntary work that I am currently doing as a member of the Tŷ Bach Trefriw Community Group – a group which is working to prevent Trefriw’s Public Conveniences from closing.
I too could stay home and watch TV instead!

]]> Comment on My thoughts on the Community Travel Plan by Gwen http://www.trefriw.org/2012/01/my-thoughts-on-the-community-travel-plan/#comment-169 Gwen Fri, 27 Jan 2012 22:44:48 +0000 http://www.trefriw.org/?p=608#comment-169 Dear Trefriw, While it is true that many residents have been apathetic when we should have taken a greater interest in our village, it is equally true that our community council have failed to make known to us the far reaching implications of having a pedestrian crossing when the plan was made available to them. Since the first exhibition at the village hall, some members of the council have gone as far as to threaten to hold responsible anyone who opposed the plan were an accident occur in the absence of a crossing. Many in the village who would rather things stay status quo are afraid to say so for fear of being blamed . Recent meetings confirm the council is determined to disregard the overwhelming sentiments of the majority who are angry, frustrated and disappointed. It would also appear the focus is on the amount of work certain individuals have invested in the travel plans. It was not the residents' idea that the village should be ripped apart and commercialised with neatly drawn boxes, which could in time be flanked by parking meters and traffic wardens doing their rounds. Trefriw's charm is in its rusticity; take that away and the village becomes a microcosm of regimented urbanisation. Just because we did not show an interest in the goings-on in the village before doesn't mean we forfeit the right to dissent now the awful picture stares us in the face. At any rate, given that the reality of the situation was never truthfully and clearly communicated to us we can hardly be blamed for trusting the council to have a simple crossing put in place without rearranging the face of our village. That trust was betrayed. Now we know better. Now we are interested; better late than never. Trefriw remains our home regardless of how much a small number of people want it changed and how hard they worked to effect those changes. Is it that inconceivable that people should want to fight to keep their home the way they like it? One ought to have realised by now that true democracy is a myth. Dear Trefriw,

While it is true that many residents have been apathetic when we should have taken a greater interest in our village, it is equally true that our community council have failed to make known to us the far reaching implications of having a pedestrian crossing when the plan was made available to them.

Since the first exhibition at the village hall, some members of the council have gone as far as to threaten to hold responsible anyone who opposed the plan were an accident occur in the absence of a crossing. Many in the village who would rather things stay status quo are afraid to say so for fear of being blamed . Recent meetings confirm the council is determined to disregard the overwhelming sentiments of the majority who are angry, frustrated and disappointed.

It would also appear the focus is on the amount of work certain individuals have invested in the travel plans. It was not the residents’ idea that the village should be ripped apart and commercialised with neatly drawn boxes, which could in time be flanked by parking meters and traffic wardens doing their rounds. Trefriw’s charm is in its rusticity; take that away and the village becomes a microcosm of regimented urbanisation.

Just because we did not show an interest in the goings-on in the village before doesn’t mean we forfeit the right to dissent now the awful picture stares us in the face. At any rate, given that the reality of the situation was never truthfully and clearly communicated to us we can hardly be blamed for trusting the council to have a simple crossing put in place without rearranging the face of our village. That trust was betrayed. Now we know better. Now we are interested; better late than never. Trefriw remains our home regardless of how much a small number of people want it changed and how hard they worked to effect those changes. Is it that inconceivable that people should want to fight to keep their home the way they like it?

One ought to have realised by now that true democracy is a myth.

]]> Comment on My thoughts on the Community Travel Plan by adming http://www.trefriw.org/2012/01/my-thoughts-on-the-community-travel-plan/#comment-168 adming Fri, 27 Jan 2012 22:44:13 +0000 http://www.trefriw.org/?p=608#comment-168 Thanks for the clarification Neil and Jess. Thanks for the clarification Neil and Jess.

]]> Comment on My thoughts on the Community Travel Plan by Neil, Jess, Lisa and Claire http://www.trefriw.org/2012/01/my-thoughts-on-the-community-travel-plan/#comment-167 Neil, Jess, Lisa and Claire Fri, 27 Jan 2012 22:40:38 +0000 http://www.trefriw.org/?p=608#comment-167 Zulus names are above, parents of children of Bro Gower Zulus names are above, parents of children of Bro Gower

]]> Comment on My thoughts on the Community Travel Plan by adming http://www.trefriw.org/2012/01/my-thoughts-on-the-community-travel-plan/#comment-166 adming Fri, 27 Jan 2012 22:26:45 +0000 http://www.trefriw.org/?p=608#comment-166 Just a note. Paul Evans is reviewing the revised new plan. We shall await the outcome of this. All may not be lost. Just a note.

Paul Evans is reviewing the revised new plan. We shall await the outcome of this. All may not be lost.

]]> Comment on My thoughts on the Community Travel Plan by adming http://www.trefriw.org/2012/01/my-thoughts-on-the-community-travel-plan/#comment-165 adming Fri, 27 Jan 2012 22:14:06 +0000 http://www.trefriw.org/?p=608#comment-165 Hi Zulu, Many thanks for you thoughts. I welcome the discussion on this issue. A few immediate points though. "it is if you are telling everyone that your thoughts are correct" Please note the proviso at the beginning of my post. These were simply my thoughts on the points I saw raised following the meeting on the 24th January. Nothing more, nothing less. "here comes the freedom of speech bit." Freedom of speech is wonderful thing. Something that we in the UK are free to express with a greater degree of freedom than in many other countries. You will note that I have not censored, nor disallowed ANY replies to my thoughts. This is an issue where ALL should have the opportunity to air their concerns. David, Gareth, Becky and Keith (so far) have been allowed equal access to reply to my thoughts. And I welcome that wholeheartedly. We are a community made up of many people, with many different interests and backgrounds. And I applaud those that feel strongly enough about this issue to have their say. Would you mind posting using your real name rather than hiding behind a pseudonym? Hi Zulu,

Many thanks for you thoughts. I welcome the discussion on this issue.

A few immediate points though.

“it is if you are telling everyone that your thoughts are correct”
Please note the proviso at the beginning of my post. These were simply my thoughts on the points I saw raised following the meeting on the 24th January. Nothing more, nothing less.

“here comes the freedom of speech bit.”
Freedom of speech is wonderful thing. Something that we in the UK are free to express with a greater degree of freedom than in many other countries. You will note that I have not censored, nor disallowed ANY replies to my thoughts. This is an issue where ALL should have the opportunity to air their concerns. David, Gareth, Becky and Keith (so far) have been allowed equal access to reply to my thoughts. And I welcome that wholeheartedly. We are a community made up of many people, with many different interests and backgrounds. And I applaud those that feel strongly enough about this issue to have their say. Would you mind posting using your real name rather than hiding behind a pseudonym?

]]> Comment on My thoughts on the Community Travel Plan by Zulu http://www.trefriw.org/2012/01/my-thoughts-on-the-community-travel-plan/#comment-164 Zulu Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:18:28 +0000 http://www.trefriw.org/?p=608#comment-164 Thanks Grant for your thoughts but you couldn't be anymore wrong. You are entitled to your opinion but the way you have published this piece on this website it is if you are telling everyone that your thoughts are correct. Wrong, here comes the freedom of speech bit. 1. All those parents which drive their children to school that you refer to abandon their cars exactly where the proposed roundabout is going to be. If the plan goes ahead then all the difficulties the rest of the community of Trefriw(not just the children on Bro Gower) have to face of negotiating the island will be their problem as well as they will have to park down the Gowers road. They better watch out for them turning coaches as well but all is not lost, when they get to the B5106 there will be a crossing waiting for them. The business' in Trefriw are a big part of this community, without them the community would start to disappear. These new plans are likely to have a huge effect on these, take these away and the tourists will go with it. 2. Most people would like a crossing but they do not want a roundabout. There is a plan in place and it has been approved but by who? The Trefriw community were given the opportunity to choose this plan and nobody wanted it leading to more plans being drawn up. Arriva who are not a part of this community decided against our preferred plan so certain individuals decided to put two fingers up to the community and agreed the plan that was originally thrown out. It would seem Arriva have more say in what goes on in Trefriw than the people who live there. 3. You will find that most of the coaches that pull into the Gowers Road turn at the coach parking where children do not play and pedestrians can easily see to avoid(no problems have occurred so far). Some coaches do turn by the play park but they shouldn't do. Coaches turning around at the entrance of a children's play area is a tragedy waiting to happen and the new plan will see every coach(Arriva excepted) turning down there. 4. Is it really to late for the new plan which many do agree with? Conwy council are currently looking into them. It is a shame that it wasn't put forward sooner but it is ridiculous that we have a plan in place that was put forward long ago that the people of Trefriw voted against, surly what the community wants is more important than rushing something through so not to miss out on funding. 5. The area where the children of Bro Gower walk to school is actually a car park, walking behind parked vehicles was far safer than being approached by moving ones last time I looked. The way these children are bought up are up to that of their parents and not you. The only independence these children have of walking to school and to the park will be taken away by the implementation of the roundabout. The reason so many villagers are angry is because they have been betrayed. The Community Council are supposed to fight for what the community want but what has happened here is they are ready to give them what they don't. A crossing would be nice but at the cost of having a roundabout no thank you. The £100k+ investment will be lost if nothing goes ahead but is it right that this money is spend on something that nobody wants and history says isn't really needed. I understand that people have invested a lot of time and work on this but if the findings are incorrect(which most villagers believe) then the work shouldn't go ahead just so their efforts aren't wasted. If you are wrong then you are wrong, just take it on the chin. Thanks Grant for your thoughts but you couldn’t be anymore wrong. You are entitled to your opinion but the way you have published this piece on this website it is if you are telling everyone that your thoughts are correct. Wrong, here comes the freedom of speech bit.

1. All those parents which drive their children to school that you refer to abandon their cars exactly where the proposed roundabout is going to be. If the plan goes ahead then all the difficulties the rest of the community of Trefriw(not just the children on Bro Gower) have to face of negotiating the island will be their problem as well as they will have to park down the Gowers road. They better watch out for them turning coaches as well but all is not lost, when they get to the B5106 there will be a crossing waiting for them.

The business’ in Trefriw are a big part of this community, without them the community would start to disappear. These new plans are likely to have a huge effect on these, take these away and the tourists will go with it.

2. Most people would like a crossing but they do not want a roundabout.

There is a plan in place and it has been approved but by who? The Trefriw community were given the opportunity to choose this plan and nobody wanted it leading to more plans being drawn up. Arriva who are not a part of this community decided against our preferred plan so certain individuals decided to put two fingers up to the community and agreed the plan that was originally thrown out. It would seem Arriva have more say in what goes on in Trefriw than the people who live there.

3. You will find that most of the coaches that pull into the Gowers Road turn at the coach parking where children do not play and pedestrians can easily see to avoid(no problems have occurred so far).
Some coaches do turn by the play park but they shouldn’t do. Coaches turning around at the entrance of a children’s play area is a tragedy waiting to happen and the new plan will see every coach(Arriva excepted) turning down there.

4. Is it really to late for the new plan which many do agree with? Conwy council are currently looking into them.

It is a shame that it wasn’t put forward sooner but it is ridiculous that we have a plan in place that was put forward long ago that the people of Trefriw voted against, surly what the community wants is more important than rushing something through so not to miss out on funding.

5. The area where the children of Bro Gower walk to school is actually a car park, walking behind parked vehicles was far safer than being approached by moving ones last time I looked.
The way these children are bought up are up to that of their parents and not you. The only independence these children have of walking to school and to the park will be taken away by the implementation of the roundabout.

The reason so many villagers are angry is because they have been betrayed. The Community Council are supposed to fight for what the community want but what has happened here is they are ready to give them what they don’t. A crossing would be nice but at the cost of having a roundabout no thank you.

The £100k+ investment will be lost if nothing goes ahead but is it right that this money is spend on something that nobody wants and history says isn’t really needed.

I understand that people have invested a lot of time and work on this but if the findings are incorrect(which most villagers believe) then the work shouldn’t go ahead just so their efforts aren’t wasted. If you are wrong then you are wrong, just take it on the chin.

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