Madam,

Most of your readers must have been gobsmacked at the scant regard Gwynedd Council has shown for the lives and safety of residents and visitors alike.

At a time when nationally we have been horrified at the way Austerity has led to cutting corners in health and safety and that in turn has cost lives, it truly defies belief that, following the truly sad loss of life on Barmouth Beach last year, Gwynedd’s Plaid councillors have not learned the lessons and are leaving the county’s beaches without a lifeguard.

The recent hot weather has seen many people enjoying the sea in Barmouth, but the council is dithering and can only manage discussions and signs.

Their lack of swift action on safety for bathers must be contrasted with the speedy decision of our Plaid councillors who at the first meeting of the new council voted to pay cabinet members the higher of two levels of allowance and not make a saving of £3,000 per cabinet member.

I think I we all know where residents would sooner see the money spent - on lifeguards.

The lack of lifeguards goes beyond safety to being another blow for our key tourism industry, with the RNLI implying that people should not swim on our beaches and presumably look elsewhere for their beach holiday.

Get your finger out Gwynedd Council and put safety first!

Yours etc,

Graham Hogg, Barmouth.

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