Great news for anyone who loves the coast as much as I do - as a £17.5 million initiative to improve facilities has just been announced by the Welsh Assembly Government.
Political wranglings aside - this is a much needed and well overdue investment in one of our greatest assets in my opinion - our coastline and beaches.
I know the residents of Porthcawl have been awaiting this kind of news for quite some time...
As a fairly new resident myself, 'potential plans' have had people talking for about the last 10-15 years! The most recent came in the form of the Seven Bays Project in 2007.
But it looks as if things are finally set to change, with developments planned for the old harbour and improving facilities at Rest Bay as well as an 'Adrenalin Coast Festival'.
Porthcawl Harbour being battered by large surf. Image by Tim Wood, on Flickr:
Political wranglings aside - this is a much needed and well overdue investment in one of our greatest assets in my opinion - our coastline and beaches.
I know the residents of Porthcawl have been awaiting this kind of news for quite some time...
As a fairly new resident myself, 'potential plans' have had people talking for about the last 10-15 years! The most recent came in the form of the Seven Bays Project in 2007.
But it looks as if things are finally set to change, with developments planned for the old harbour and improving facilities at Rest Bay as well as an 'Adrenalin Coast Festival'.
Porthcawl Harbour being battered by large surf. Image by Tim Wood, on Flickr:
The original harbour was around three times the size of the one we see today and was a hive of activity during the golden age of coal export from South Wales.
Sadly, the working harbour lost out to business from the bustling ports of Cardiff and Barry in the early 1900's and was eventually filled in. Nowadays it's used as car park adjacent to Coney Beach.
There are also plans for developing Swansea Bay where a new watersports centre will be built, attracting people interested in kitesurfing, surfing, rowing, kayaking etc.
A new low-carbon centre is planned for Aberdaron which will aim to promote tourism around the Llyn Peninsula - a truly stunning part of North West Wales.
Pembrokeshire will also benefit with a large grant, aimed at linking the county's attractions together.
Developments include new low water landing stages at Tenby, Angle and Dale as well as improved facilities at Solva, Porthgain (one of the most picturesque harbours in Pembs imo) and Coppet Hall near Saundersfoot.
All this comes at a time when Welsh beaches have picked up 50 environmental awards from the Green Coast Awards.
Confused by all the different awards and flags? Click on the links below for a full explanation of what each one actually means:
Green Coast Awards
Blue Flag Awards
Seaside Awards
Gull
