Road shut for safety 'risks fire 999 delays'

CLOSURES TO DEMOLISH CRUMBLING HOTEL MAY HOLD UP EMERGENCY CREWS, STATION WARNS

- By ANDREW FORGRAVE Countryside and Tourism Editor [e-mail]

ALARMED firefighters in a Gwynedd seaside resort fear they may struggle to respond to emergencies over the coming weeks. It follows an 11th-hour decision to shut roads in Tywyn for the demolition of an abandoned hotel.

The works, green-lighted earlier this week by Cyngor Gwynedd, started on Thursday. To safeguard public safety, a section of the main A493 through the town (Maengwyn Street) has been closed for eight to 12 weeks.

Also closed off are Corbett Square and Red Lion Street, though limited access will be permitted for business deliveries. As through traffic will need to divert through narrow streets, it's prompted concerns the town will suffer regular gridlock.

One diversion route is likely to involve Brook Street and Frankwell Street, which already experience congestion. With more traffic now likely, Tywyn Fire Station is worried its officers may get blocked in and be left unable to respond to call outs.