At around 8.25am on Tuesday morning (12th August), a 50' long section of the sea wall at Port Dinorwic collapsed. Whilst this was not unexpected, it was perhaps surprising.

This part of the wall has been bowing outwards for about 4 years and for the last 12 months the footpath along it has been closed due to fears of subsidence in this particular part.

The following three pictures were taken about 15 minutes after the collapse:

🔗Port-Dinorwic-Port-User-Album-Image-001[linkphoto]Port-Dinorwic-Port-User-Album-Image-001[/linkphoto][/link]

🔗Port-Dinorwic-Port-User-Album-Image-002[linkphoto]Port-Dinorwic-Port-User-Album-Image-002[/linkphoto][/link]

🔗Port-Dinorwic-Port-User-Album-Image-003[linkphoto]Port-Dinorwic-Port-User-Album-Image-003[/linkphoto][/link]

Over the next couple of days, some further collapses have occurred and a barge has been brought in:

🔗Port-Dinorwic-Port-User-Album-Image-004[linkphoto]Port-Dinorwic-Port-User-Album-Image-004[/linkphoto][/link]

Now then, aside from the slight fact that over the last 12 months there has been plenty of time to stabilise - and save - the original wall, what's gone on today can only be described as wanton destruction:

🔗Port-Dinorwic-Port-User-Album-Image-005[linkphoto]Port-Dinorwic-Port-User-Album-Image-005[/linkphoto][/link]

🔗Port-Dinorwic-Port-User-Album-Image-006[linkphoto]Port-Dinorwic-Port-User-Album-Image-006[/linkphoto][/link]

The stones of the wall have been picked up by the digger and dumped into the soft mud alongside the wall and in some places the digger bucket has been used to break up the mud before dumping the cut stones into it.

In simple terms, there has been no attempt made to preserve the stones for re-use and one would wonder how the wall could otherwise be repaired.

The answer would seem to be the large pile of rocks that has appeared in a nearby car-park. The plan, apparently, is to build a stepped wall of rock-filled gabions and concrete over it.

Whilst this may be described as a "temporary" repair, it would seem to be a permanent repair in all but name - to a structure that's a very important reminder of the Welsh slate industry, not to mention being a Grade II listed structure.

The dock management company has a track record for this - a similar "repair" was done to the wall at the dock entrance about a year ago - I'll post up pics of this tomorrow.

Can anything be done to ensure the dock wall is repaired as it was? Sadly, I doubt it.

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If it is Grade 2 the surely, other than emergency repairs for safety, the local planning dept/CADW should be involved.

There may be an issue in that the County Council makes the decisions on behalf of Cadw and some works classified as "temporary repairs" may be allowed without consent.

Apparently, "temporary" repairs may be left for up to 12 years... 😠

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Have you discussed ot with Gwynedd CC, Caernarfon planning dept though?

There may be an issue in that the County Council makes the decisions on behalf of Cadw and some works classified as "temporary repairs" may be allowed without consent.

Apparently, "temporary" repairs may be left for up to 12 years... 😠

Hmmm... perhaps someone should try throwing up some sheds and when the planning enforcement officer comes round, say "they're temporary, they'll be gone in 12 years time".

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I would suggest you get the local press involved because once the facts are in print, it becomes a matter of public record. I don't know if the local paper has "fire in its belly" but as a former journalist (it's OK, I'm a reformed character now) I can say with some certainty that this sounds like a decent story.

If anyone wants to PM me I would be only too pleased to advise on the angle to take on the story and who to contact to stir things up. :guns:

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So, it's finally happened!!
I've been muttering about this for years!
Few people work stone anymore. What do you expect?
Just look at the constructional standards of the houses...
what do you expect!!

Just look at the constructional standards of the houses...

😮

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I'm pleased to say that the sea wall has now been repaired - in the words of the boss of the dock management company "98% the same as before" - see if you can spot the difference...

🔗Port-Dinorwic-Port-User-Album-Image-007[linkphoto]Port-Dinorwic-Port-User-Album-Image-007[/linkphoto][/link]

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Are the gambions peramanent or there to allow time for the wall to set (so to speak)?

I think I can spot the 2% that's different.

Do I win a prize ? 😉

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There's a planning application shown on Cyngor Gwynedd's website for the permanent repair.

Application reference: C08A/0574/20/CR
Date: 29/09/2008

"... it has been agreed that the dock wall be reconstructed above sea weed line ... The stone facing to replicate the adjacent dock walls will be constructed after the blockwork has fully settled. This will typically be after approximately 6 months."

Ta Skimble! :)

When Gwynedd fix their website, I'll have a look...

I wonder if Cadw will share the same opinion?

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