CONWY council's leader has spoken of how 'seriously' world-wide climate change affects the county ahead of a global environmental summit.

Charlie McCoubrey, leader of Conwy County Borough Council, was giving his announcements to cabinet this week when he reminded members of how people in Conwy had suffered due to extreme weather.

The reminder comes ahead of next week’s COP26, in what is being billed by the UN as the last chance to get runaway climate change under control. The annual summit takes place this year in Glasgow.

Cllr McCoubrey spoke of the devastating 1990 floods when high tides resulted in thousands of homes in Towyn being evacuated.

Conwy has several flood defence schemes at various stages. Plans include a 300ft breakwater in Penrhyn Bay, new timber groynes in Llandudno to stop beach erosion and a phased approach to improving sea defences in Colwyn Bay as funding becomes available.

Cllr McCoubrey also referenced the frequent flooding of the Conwy Valley where the River Conwy frequently swells, flooding towns such as Llanrwst.

“Next week sees the COP26 in Glasgow,” said Cllr McCoubrey. “Climate change is something we take really seriously. I had just arrived as a fresh-faced young dentist in 1990, working from the West End of Rhyl when we had the disastrous floods in Towyn, which impacted on thousands of people.

“We’ve seen severe flooding in the Conwy Valley, Llanfair Talhaiarn. It is encouraging to see the work we do to try to defend that with other authorities, also the work we are doing with our coastal defences.

“Conwy has one of the longest stretches of artificial coasts around the UK. It protects vital infrastructure, the A55, the main railway line. It’s absolutely important we carry that work on.”

He added: “As leader, I’m really pleased as well. I’ve joined the Climate Challenge Board. Again it is  really good to be involved with, and I think it highlights the importance we all give it.”