No cash for new footbridge says health chief

NO cash is currently available for a new footbridge over the River Dee making it easier for pedestrians to reach Llangollen’s new health centre.

That is the word from Geoff Lang, director of strategy for the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board which is building the £5m facility on the site of the old River Lodge on the A539.

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.

Then last September it was revealed by Clwyd South Assembly Member Ken Skates that health chiefs are seeking European cash to fund the building of a footbridge.

Mr Skates said at the time that he had also asked the Welsh Government to examine the feasibility of a road bridge over the Dee to further enhance access to the site.

Now, in a message from Mr Lang to North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood, a copy of which has been sent to local health campaigner Martin Crumpton and seen by llanblogger, hopes for a bridge appear to have suffered a setback. 

Mr Lang tells Mr Isherwood: “We have pursued the potential for European funding, and received a response from the Welsh European Funding Office indicating that such a proposal would not be considered as a priority for European Regional Development Funding. 

“In addition the Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council has explored the possibility of charitable funding and have established that there is no suitable fund to bid against at this time. 

“On this basis there doesn’t appear to be a realistic prospect of progressing with a footbridge at this time.  The DVSC will, however, monitor the situation through their grant finder software and will let us know if any opportunities arise in the future.”

Mr Lang also gives his response to discussions with Mr Isherwood about the issue of roadworks on the A539 in connection with the construction of the health centre.

He says: “The current A539 lane closure will run until the completion of the Dee Valley water main installation – which is on programme to complete on the 25^th of February 2015.

“The road will then re-open between 25 February 2015 and 23 March 2015 - which will allow the locomotive movements to and from the gala events scheduled for the weekends of 7/8 March 2015 and 14/15 March 2015.

“A lane closure will then come back into operation from 23 March 2015 until 21 May 2015 to allow further Highway works to be undertaken.

“However there will be two ‘embargo’s’ during this period where the A539 will open again without any traffic management in place - these being Easter, from 2 April 2015 to 13 April 2015 inclusive and May Day Bank Holiday 30 April 2015 to 6 May 2015 inclusive.”