Ex-councillor slams suspension of Castle Street parking bays

* The parking bays along Castle Street.

A former Llangollen county councillor has criticised plans to suspend parking bays on Castle Street which he brands as “silly in the extreme”.

The proposed move comes as part of a package of measures by Denbighshire County Council to promote active travel in the centre of Llangollen in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Welsh Government has provided funding for local authorities to introduce measures aimed at helping people to maintain social distancing in public places, and to encourage residents to walk and cycle safely. 

Similar schemes are in mind for Llangollen, Denbigh, Ruthin and Rhyl.

The council says that as part of the plan intended for Llangollen it aims to use Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) to suspend the parking bays on Castle Street.

However, it has reassured local people they will be consulted before any scheme is put in place.

But the idea has run into criticism from former county councillor Stuart Davies who says in a press release issued this morning: “The idea that we should take away parking in Castle Street and create wider pavements, using C-19 distancing as an excuse, is silly in the extreme.

“Parking is well controlled there with over 300,000 movements a year.

“Parking, as explained to me by Denbighshire County Council highway engineers, is a natural traffic calming feature.”

He adds: “If parking there is stopped then speeds will increase, the impact on shops there will be extreme.

“No-one will be able to park and pop in. This will also impact our only bank and if that closes it will hasten the death of businesses in Llangollen.

“The Telegraph today (Sunday) reinforces my points and I urge the leaders of our council to put a stop to this nonsense.”

Wharf to resume motorised boat trips

Llangollen Wharf has been on Facebook to announce the resumption of a popular service following lockdown.

They posted: "We are pleased to say we are starting to run Thomas Telford, our motorised trip boat, from the 3rd of August.

"This will be for a minimum of 10 people in a Covid-secure bubble.

"Trips can be 2 hours or 31/2 hour duration at times to suit you.

"There is a bar on board and we can offer Afternoon Teas, Buffets, Ploughman’s and Welsh Cream Teas etc.

"Bookings will not be available online as each trip will be tailored to your individual requirements.

"Please contact the Wharf on 01978 860702 to discuss all the options available."

MP thanked for supporting Local Electricity Bill

Campaign group Power for People has thanked Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes (pictured) for supporting a new Bill in Parliament that it says would help rebuild local economies whilst increasing clean energy generation.

The proposed new law, known as the Local Electricity Bill, is supported by 187 MPs. 

If made law, it would create a new Right to Local Supply of energy that would empower communities to sell locally generated electricity directly to local households and businesses.

Currently customers can only purchase electricity from nationally licensed utilities. 

The Bill’s supporters say this means money people use to pay their energy bills is not helping to rebuild local economies and local clean energy infrastructure.

Power for People is calling for MPs and the UK Government to make the Bill law and is leading a supportive coalition of organisations including Community Energy England, Community Energy Wales, Community Energy Scotland, WWF, Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth and the RSPB. 

Forty-four local authorities have also pledged their support.

Power for People’s director Steve Shaw said: “We thank Simon Baynes for supporting the Local Electricity Bill. 

"If made law, the Bill would unleash the huge potential for new community-owned clean energy infrastructure and for this to boost local economies, jobs, services, and facilities in communities across the country.”

Simon Baynes said: “The Local Electricity Bill will empower and enable new community energy companies to sell energy that they generate directly to local people which will help strengthen local economies. 

"This is urgently needed given the economic shock of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

"The Bill will also help accelerate our transition to clean energy, which is critical in avoiding the potential economic and ecological devastation of climate change. I will do all I can to ensure it becomes law.”

Flu jabs on offer and mask wearing necessary in one place

Gareth Baines, the town councillor from Chirk who has done much to help in the local battle against coronavirus has put out a message on Facebook about flu jabs. 

It says: “Important: Flu Vaccination update: 

“Flu vaccines in Wales will now be available to those in the existing eligible groups (including those aged over 65 years, pregnant women and people with medical conditions) who will be vaccinated first.

“Those who will also now be eligible for a free flu vaccine will include:

Households of people in the shielded group

Lowering the eligibility age from 65 to over 50 year olds – who will be vaccinated in a phased approach

Additional supplies of the nasal spray flu vaccine offered to children will be used to maximise uptake in the vaccination programme offered to 2 and 3 year olds, and to all children in primary schools.

Increasing uptake in health and social care workers will also be a key priority this season.

“The NHS will get in contact with those who are eligible.”

On behalf of the team at Rowlands Pharmacy is Llangollen Sadye Chesworth posted: “Rowlands Pharmacy Notice.

“From the 24th July, it will be compulsory for any member of the public entering our premises to wear a face covering. The company has made the decision to implement this across all countries including Wales, in line with government guidance and for the protection of all our colleagues and patients.”

And latest major hospitality business to announce its forthcoming re-opening following lockdown was The Three Eagles.

"It posted: “We're back in the ring.

Now taking bookings inside and out.

#feedyourfire

“*for outside reservations, please email team@thethreeeagles.co.uk”

Get silly with this year’s summer reading challenge

Children are being invited to get silly with this year’s Summer Reading Challenge which takes place over the summer holidays at Denbighshire’s libraries.

It’s looking a bit different this year but still gives children a great reason to read over the summer as well as feeding the imagination, helping kids stay kids and embrace the fun just when we need it the most.

This year’s challenge sees a shift to a new bilingual digital platform, supported by library e-lending services, online events and links to existing digital resources.

Children can also choose to collect a pack and some books from their local library in Denbighshire.

To sign up online for the digital challenge go to www.sillysquad.org.uk, download e-books from the Borrowbox app or use the books you have at home.

Or you can order and collect a printed Silly Squad pack and books from your local library by phoning your local library to order and arrange an appointment to come and collect them. Children can do both if they want too. The challenge will run until the end of September.

Denbighshire libraries are not yet open for browsing – but you can access books via the Order and Collect service and using the digital library to download e-books and e-audiobooks for free via the Borrowbox app, and comics and magazines via the RBDigital app.

Anyone who’s not already a library member can join online too, go to www.denbighshire.gov.uk/libraries for further information.

There’s going to be lots on social media this summer too—follow on Facebook Denbighshire Libraries or Twitter @DenbsLibs and the hashtags #SummerReadingChallenge2020 and #SillySquad2020.

Developed by charity The Reading Agency, along with the UK public library network, it is now the UK’s biggest annual reading promotion for primary aged children. In Wales the Summer Reading Challenge is support by Welsh Government and the Books Council for Wales.

Last year 2,918 children in Denbighshire took part.

County's waste and recycling parks appointment system is here to stay

* The Ruthin waste recycling centre.

The online booking system for use of Denbighshire's waste and recycling parks has proved to be extremely popular by site users and staff, and is here to stay, says the county council. 

They say drivers must bring their booking reference number and proof of residency.  

And anyone turning up without an appointment will not allowed to use the site.

The council is advising visitors to the waste and recycling parks of the following:

•             You must not visit the waste and recycling park if you or anyone you are living with is in self-isolation or showing COVID-19 symptoms.

•             No twin-axle trailers will be allowed entry (car-derived vans/4x4s and single-axle trailers are able to enter). 

•             There is a permit system in place for vans or similar commercial vehicles. The Council are processing requests for new permits as usual.  If you drive a van or similar commercial vehicle, please do not make a booking until you have a valid permit.

•             Please segregate your waste before coming to site to speed up your visit.

•             The number of vehicles allowed on site is restricted. Where possible vehicles should only include the driver as only one person will be allowed to unload their vehicles. Visitors must remain in their car whilst queuing.

•             Social distancing measures must be adhered to at all times by both staff and visitors.

•             Black bags/refuse sacks should only contain non-recyclable waste.  

The council are collecting food, cans, plastics, paper, cardboard and glass at the kerbside so residents should use these collections for these materials.  They will not accept black bag waste that contains food and recyclables.

Opening hours for the sites are: 

Ruthin : Monday – Thursday 10am-6pm; Closed Friday; Sat & Sun 9am – 5pm

Denbigh: Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri – 10am – 6pm; Closed Thursday; Sat & Sun 9am – 5pm

Rhyl : Monday – Sunday 10am – 6pm

Councillor Brian Jones, Cabinet Lead Member for Waste, Transport and the Environment, said: “We would like to thank the public for the fantastic support that we have received for the booking appointment system. 

"It has been a great success and the arrangements at the waste and recycling parks have run like clockwork.  That is down to the arrangements put in place to ensure social distancing, but also the way that residents have really engaged with the process.

“That is why we have decided to run with this system indefinitely.  Many residents have asked us to keep the system in place. It reduces any queueing of traffic, the visits to the waste and recycling parks are quicker and more efficient, and it is generally a safer way to operate the sites.

“As ever we will monitor future performance of the new way of working to evaluate and implement any process modifications as required.”

Work underway to prepare railway for re-opening

Work is underway at Llangollen Railway to prepare the station for the return of passengers from August 1.

The re-opening will be within the strict guidelines for social distancing both on the platform and on the trains.

Here volunteer Kate Alston, right, disinfects one of the carriage tables helped by general manager Liz McGuinness.

This type of cleaning will be the requirement for each train between journeys to and from Carrog once services resume.