GWYNEDD’S most popular beaches will not benefit from RNLI lifeguard safety cover this summer despite the tragic deaths of two teenagers at Barmouth last year.

The Cambrian News can reveal that “time and resources” were a key factor in Gwynedd Council’s decision not to fund the employment of RNLI lifeguards on the busiest beaches of the county.

The announcement comes despite “very encouraging” signs last December that a lifeguard service could be piloted at Barmouth this summer.

It follows the drownings of Waseem Al-Muflehi, 15, and Yahye Omar Mohamed, 14, both from Birmingham, at the beach last August.

Currently, the council only employs beach wardens who are not trained lifeguards and therefore not permitted to enter the water.

Despite HM Coroner saying there was nothing he could recommend which could have saved the two teenagers’ lives, there were calls, in particular from Dwyfor Meirionydd MP Liz Saville Roberts and RNLI water safety expert Nick Aitken, for lifeguards to be employed on the county’s beaches.

A Gwynedd Council spokesperson said: “Over recent months, constructive discussions have been held between Gwynedd Council, the RNLI and representatives from the local community regarding beach safety matters in Barmouth.

“Whilst the possibility of introducing RNLI lifeguards has been raised, it has become apparent this would not be feasible in the short-term for a number of reasons including the time and resources required to establish the necessary infrastructure, the training of qualified personnel and associated funding arrangements."

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