Viewing platform plan for former rail track

* The site near the bridge 2020 has in mind for the viewing platform and public area.

llanblogger exclusive

The group aiming to streamline traffic flow in the town centre has come up with an ambitious plan to build a viewing platform and public space alongside Llangollen’s historic bridge.

Llangollen 2020 was set up to look at ways of easing traffic and parking problems for the benefit of residents, businesses and tourists.

It has now produced a scheme called The Four Great Highways Consultation which intends to bring what it calls “a new awareness” of the historical importance of the northern end of Castle Street.

The group says this could be achieved by using mainly Heritage Lottery cash to build a viewing platform and new public space alongside and downstream of the bridge, over the former track-bed of the Ruabon to Llangollen Railway.

This, it claims, would improve access to Lower Dee Mill, produce a more cohesive link between the heritage railway, the canal wharf and the medieval bridge and “recognise, explain and celebrate” the importance of the junction in the history of transport in Wales.

The junction at the centre of the proposal is that of Llangollen Canal, Llangollen Railway, Llangollen Bridge and Telford's A5.

2020 will stage a consultation exercise seeking the views of local people and businesses on the plan.

It is therefore inviting them to:

1.     See and discuss the proposals at Llangollen Library from 2.30- 5pm Wednesday March 4

2.     Attend a public meeting to hear about the proposals and ask questions at the Memorial Hall on Market Street from 5.30-6.15 pm Wednesday March 4

3.     Watch live or catch-up on Facebook.com/Llangollen 2020 and complete the on-line questionnaire

4.     E-mail comments to graham.timms@denbighshire.gov.uk

5.     Ideas will also be displayed in the library from March 5 onwards with a comment box for feedback until March 12.

2020 chair, Llangollen county councillor Graham Timms, said: “The Four Great Highways project is being developed by the Llangollen 2020 group as an attempt to improve the public realm on the north side of the town.

“This is the place where four great historical transport links meet and so we thought about ways to mark the significance of the area where space is very limited.

"In searching for a way to bring together the significance of Llangollen's railway, ancient bridge, World Heritage Site canal and Telford's A5 we decided to explore the possibility of building a platform and viewing area.

“The site over the former railway track-bed opposite the Bridge End Hotel seemed like an ideal location, particularly as it would open up new views of the river and the bridge.

"Having a grand scheme needs money so we are hoping to apply to the National Lottery Heritage Fund to become a major funder of the project.

“A feasibility study is currently being carried out and we hope that local residents and businesses will help us by responding to the consultation.

"This project would sit alongside the improvements already being planned by the Llangollen 2020 team."