**‘Great Wall of West Shore’ Flood Defence Draws Local Mockery Amidst Llandudno Coastal Works**
A significant new flood defence wall, part of an ambitious coastal protection initiative in Llandudno, has been met with a chorus of public scepticism and social media satire, as the structure nears completion at West Shore. Intended to shield properties and infrastructure from the perennial threat of flooding, the project has instead drawn attention for what many residents describe as its underwhelming stature and appearance.
Located on the exposed Creuddyn peninsula—a region with a long history of flood events—Llandudno has long been a focus for efforts to better defend against rising tides and storm surges. Under the guidance of Conwy County Borough Council and with financial backing from the Welsh Government, major works began last year to reinforce both the town’s West Shore and North Shore. The hope was to protect homes, businesses, and the popular promenade from future inundation.
However, as the West Shore section of the flood defence nears completion, it has become the centre of public attention, not all of it positive. The newly extended wall—a multimillion-pound investment—has been quickly nicknamed the ‘Great Wall of West Shore’ by locals. Many have pointed out that, in several places, the much-vaunted barrier rises only marginally above the adjacent grassy parkland, prompting questions about its effectiveness.
In online forums and social media groups, locals have responded with a blend of wit and genuine concern. One sarcastic commentator cheerfully announced, “Great NEWS Everyone. The Great Wall of West Shore is nearing completion. This 18-month engineering marvel is now in its final stages.” Such remarks are often laced with both pride and irony—one even jested about notifying the Chinese embassy and the International Space Station about Llandudno’s potential rival to the Great Wall of China.
While levity abounds, the situation does raise serious questions. Some residents are left wondering whether the new defences will actually lower their flood risk—and thus, their insurance costs—as promised. One noted, “Property owners on West Shore will no doubt be onto their insurance providers for a swift reduction in flood risk insurance premiums.” Others, meanwhile, joked about potential health and safety issues, debating whether the low wall posed more of a tripping hazard than an effective flood deterrent.
These viral wisecracks have continued, with references to historic barriers such as Hadrian’s Wall and the Berlin Wall highlighting perceptions that the new wall does not quite live up to its grandiose nickname. One tongue-in-cheek commentator asked, “Has Hadrian been made aware of this? Have you got his email address?” Another quipped, “Took less time to build the Berlin Wall!” Such comments reflect the depth of local disappointment and a broader sense of frustration with public works that do not always meet community expectations.
In response to the rising tide of mockery, a spokesperson for Conwy Council provided context for the scheme. “The [defence] scheme is based on coastal flood modelling, to reduce the potential for coastal flooding and its impact,” they explained. At both West Shore and North Shore, the council has used detailed analysis from coastal engineers at HR Wallingford to identify and address areas of vulnerability, aiming to maintain existing lines of defence as well as introducing new ones where needed.
The council further clarified that the West Shore work forms part of a larger £2 million initiative, which saw the contractor MWT selected via competitive tender. Of the overall funding, 85% comes from the Welsh Government’s Coastal Risk Management Programme, with the remaining 15% provided by the local authority itself. Officials emphasise that the height and design of the wall are based on extensive specialist modelling rather than aesthetic preference.
As the project nears its conclusion, some hope the completed works will inspire more confidence than the current public reaction suggests. Despite the light-hearted ribbing, the seriousness of flood risk to Llandudno is not in doubt. Coastal communities across Wales are watching with interest, as the debate continues over how best to balance infrastructure functionality, community input, and the realities of climate change.
Local authorities face the challenging task of communicating both the science and the planning behind such projects, especially when public perception lags behind engineering realities. For those living and working near the sea’s edge, the hope is that these new measures—no matter how modest they appear—will be tested by time and tides, rather than public opinion alone.