Cycle to Llandudno How and Why

It was a lovely sunny day and as a family we all decided it would be nice to cycle from Deganwy to Llandudno along the cycle route. We parked the car, unpack our gear and set off. Not very far.

In front of us was a sea defence, a approximate 2 foot high steel gate padlocked. We all got off our bikes and I lifted them over the gate and we set off once again on our journey. Thinking why didn't they not put in a ramp instead of a locked gate as this prevents not only able-bodied people, but anybody who has trouble with walking or in a wheelchair or even people pushing a pram.
The next thing we came across was a sign “Terminal Point of the Definitive Right of Way”. Now I can only imagine that this refers to the end of the public right of way, because directly after it starts the cycle route. So, if there is a right of way then why is there a large steel gate preventing some people from getting access.

Next we were on the cycle route all was going well. We were making a concerted effort not to run over any dog shit, of which there was plenty and this I don't blame the Council. I don't blame the dog. I do blame the dog owners.They even put it in plastic bags and then leave the plastic bag standing proudly ready for someone to stand on it. Perhaps someone should leave a pile of poo on their drive or path and maybe they might get the idea.

On we went then suddenly no more cycling the cycle path ahead was blocked with sand that had been blown down from the sand dunes or off the beach. There have been attempts successfully to prevent the sand from collecting on the cycle path by the erection of windbreakers and fencing, but in the areas that were not sheltered it was impossible to cycle along and as for pushchairs and prams, I pity the person pushing. The Council had come along and cleared some sections but the sand looked as if it had just been dumped by the side of the cycle path ready to be blown back again over the very same spot. Perhaps if it was moved or more windbreakers installed it may not sand over so quickly.

After a bit of a hard walk through the sand pushing the bikes, we were back on our bikes again heading towards the car park at West Shore to look at the plan of Llandudno to see where we were to cycle next. But nothing, there was nothing marked on the map that was the continuation of the so-called national cycle route. So we turned round and went back.

On a later investigation by driving through Llandudno in the car, It appears that the cycle route starts or ends near the paddling pool on the promenade at Craig y Don. So how would you get from West Shore to Craig y Don. You have to go on the very busy main roads, you cannot even cycle along the promenade on North Shore, if you are caught you will be prosecuted and fined. You must cycle along the busy promenade road with cars parked on both sides and coaches sometimes double parked dropping off people at the hotels. Why is it that on Rhos on Sea and Colwyn Bay promenade which is much narrower, cycling facilities have been made available.

Rhos on Sea with cycle route

Llandudno Nothing to prevent a cycle route

If Llandudno is to attract tourism why are they alienating so many people, from young families to the disabled. There was a law passed about the right to roam, well how about the right to common sense. Whose family will it have to be that is injured or killed just for the sake of a couple of lines defining a cycle route along the promenade. As for getting from North Shore to West Shore, Gloddaeth Avenue and Gloddaeth Street are wide enough to install a dedicated cycle route just like the one that exists in front of the Cayley Embankment on West Promenade at Rhos on Sea, with very little cost, Compared to the price of a life. But it seems as always someone will have to do be killed or seriously injured before someone comes to their senses.
I think the original developers of Llandudno. The Mostyn family would be disgusted with the attitude towards tourists, the disabled and young children. How about YOU.
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£150 Billion Bailout

I am a little confused about why we're having so many cuts in our services from council workers, police, nurses etc.

We have bailed out the banks to the tune of approximately £150 billion, which makes us the taxpayer majority shareholders in some banks. So my first gripe is where are our bonuses. We the taxpayer in the guise of the government have bailed out these banks. So where is our money.

If we look at it, we have put our taxpayers money as an investment in these banks to which we should at least get our initial money back. Hopefully, with profits. Then why are we having so many cutbacks in our front line services. These aren't just small cutbacks. They are drastic deep cutting slashes at our services. If we are going to get back the money we invested, it will pay off what we have borrowed to bail out the banks. Then as long as we pay the interest on the loan and this interest along with our initial investment to save the banks is returned when we sell our shares in those banks, we only need to pay the interest and we would not have to make these drastic cuts. We should be investing in the infrastructure of our country and not selling it off to foreign run corporations.

Why are we having such drastic cuts in our services.

Is this all wool over our eyes, so that in four years, when as the government predicts we will have paid off the £150 billion debt and just before the next election. The government can sell these shares with profits and say, aren't we so very clever, now we have £150 billion to invest in the country, as a bribe in the next election.

If what I have said is correct, then why haven't the Labour Party and the Newspapers investigated and made it a story

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Child Beater

I abhor physical violence and I believe that everyone who commits physical violence should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Or do I ?.

Imagine this. The police phone you and ask you to come into the station to be with your 13-year-old son who has just been arrested for breaking and entering. During the course of the interview you get somewhat irate and cuff your son around the back of the head. Only to find the interview suspended and you arrested and charged with assault.

Now undoubtedly the 13-year-old is in the wrong and you have every right to be angry and to meet out a suitable punishment, but in this case, surely the police were also in the wrong.

In 2011 children have rights and while according to the law parents are allowed to smack their children, as long as it qualifies as moderate and reasonable chastisement. This parent will never be able to touch his son in any way whatsoever again, without having his police record thrown back in his face. For a parent clearly struggling with an out-of-control teen, maybe the police should have taken him to one side, offered support and counselling for not only anger issues but also assistance in how to bring his son under control, instead of undermining his authority further and labelling him a child beater.

Every reasonable parent knows how difficult it is to keep their children on the straight path towards becoming a law-abiding member of society and many regularly threatened with the Child Line phone number but by removing this parent's right to discipline his child surely the police have just helped another juvenile on the road towards delinquency.