Campaigners have been complaining since plans for the centre were first drawn up as a replacement for the town’s closed-down Cottage Hospital that pedestrians would find it difficult to reach the building because of its location on a busy road with restricted pavement access.
But now Clwyd South Labour AM Ken Skates says the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is applying for money to pay for the footbridge to connect the main part of the town with the former River Lodge site where the centre is now in the early stages of construction.
Mr Skates says he has also asked the Welsh Government to examine the feasibility of a road bridge over the Dee to further enhance access to the site.
In a statement today Mr Skates and Llangollen county councillor Stuart Davies have both welcomed the ‘rapid’ progress being made in the new centre.
Mr Skates, who is based in Llangollen, said: “It is fantastic news for Llangollen that the health board, local practice and Welsh Labour Government are working together to create a modern, state-of-the-art healthcare facility fit for the 21st century. The people who live here need and deserve this major investment.
“Rapid progress is being made on the building of the brand new multi-million pound centre, and I’m delighted that the health board is now investigating the possibility of a footbridge over the Dee to improve access from Llangollen following my meeting with chief executive Trevor Purt and chairman Peter Higson for talks last month.
“I am hopeful the health board will be able to utilise European money to make this happen. It is some way off, but it’s important that we keep an eye on what Llangollen needs not just now but in the medium and long-term future.”
Cllr Davies said: “I am pleased to see the progress on the new health centre and I’m particularly pleased to hear that some of the issues I have championed, such as pedestrian and road crossings across the Dee, are now being pursued by Betsi Cadwaladr and the Welsh Government.”
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