Church Street parking goes under microscope

The issue of parking in Church Street was highlighted at Tuesday night’s meeting of Llangollen Town Council.

And Cllr Melvyn Miles (pictured right) who placed it on the agenda, described it as a “nightmare”.

He said: “There are only 20 spaces reserved for residents and there are also a couple of holiday lets down there. All of these are full all the time.

“There is no easy solution but is there any way we could ask the county council if the residents’ parking could be extended into Bridge Street or Chapel Street?”

Cllr Sheena Burrell asked whether residents’ parking passes, which are held by a number of people in the town, could be used by people from Church Street to leave their vehicles in local public car parks elsewhere in the town.

It was suggested this might be possible but members agreed to have the town clerk refer the issue to the county council and also to seek clarification on parking permits.

Keep Llangollen Special's AGM set for next Tuesday

The Keep Llangollen Special group has sent in this reminder about is annual general meeting next Tuesday, July 23:

Shoulder To Shoulder For Llangollen

·        What can you do when the consultation you’ve been invited to is a biased, pre-determined sham?

·        What can you do when the heritage of Llangollen is bartered for things that look good on paper but turn out to be deeply flawed and second-rate in practice?

·        What can you do when you report a potentially hazardous crossing but find out there has to be a certain number of casualties before anything is done?,

·        What can you do when people who don’t live in Llangollen decide its future without asking us?

 

Lock and load - using our rights and freedoms, combining the new technologies of social media and digital communication, and plain, old-fashioned meetings, to elect people just like you to be your spearhead. We come together to take our lives and livelihoods back into our own hands against those who would exploit us, who think we’re a soft touch.

Keep Llangollen Special, a strictly not-for-profit Community Group – the people behind the popular Buy Local days – was designed to be that spearhead.

It’s holding its first Annual General Meeting on July the 23^rd, in the lounge of the Hand Hotel (pictured left) at 7:30 pm, where all the Committee positions are up for election by members of KLS.

You can become a member by going to www.keepllanollenspecial .org.uk and there are no fees or obligations placed on you. You can attend even if you’re not a member, so you can speak but not vote or stand for Committee.

Over the last twelve months, we’ve realised we don’t have enough people to take lead roles in projects that will bring prosperity and well-being to Llangollen. That’s where you come in; that’s why we need you, the huge number of people who volunteer and do great work: The people who are the heart of Llangollen and make it such an extraordinary place to live – and we’ll work co-operatively with any groups, societies or like-minded individuals for our mutual benefit.

Can you influence what KLS does? Yes – that’s why KLS exists. Can you raise issues affecting Town or inspire projects to attract more business, jobs or facilities we sorely need? Yes again – every project idea will be discussed and voted upon, so make sure you’re a member.

Whether you’re a resident or running a business in Llangollen, it’s worth your while coming along. Together we’ll get more done, and it’ll only take a small amount of your time to be active in KLS.

Keep Llangollen Special

Outgoing health board chair denies `clash of personalities'

The outgoing chair of Wales' largest NHS body has denied that "a clash of personalities" was at the root of management failings in north Wales.

Prof Merfyn Jones was giving evidence to AMs on how the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) operated.

See the full story on the BBC Wales website at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-23361966

Latest figures show crime down in North Wales

This morning (Thursday) saw the release of the Crime Survey for England and Wales Data to year ending March 2013.

 

Latest figures show recorded crime in North Wales went down by 12.4% during the 12 months under review.

 

The figures also show that a low proportion of people experienced or witnessed anti-social behaviour in the force area.

 

In North Wales 19.9% had experienced or witnessed anti-social behaviour, which is significantly lower than the England and Wales average of 28.9% and the Wales average of 28.3%.

 

During the year there has been a significant increase in the reporting of rape and sexual offences, the number being up 30.8% the majority now being managed by the newly established multi-agency dedicated rape investigators on ‘Team Amethyst’.

 

The Operation Pallial investigation into recent allegations of historic child abuse, commenced during the same period,  has also contributed towards an increase in reported offences which we hope suggests greater public confidence in how we manage the victims and investigation of such offences.

 

Deputy Chief Constable Gareth Pritchard said: “North Wales Police is maintaining a reduction in crime. We are aware of the increase in the reporting rape and sexual offences and in June this year we set up Amethyst, a dedicated rape team.  We are continuing to work hard to drive crime down further and make North Wales safer.

 

“The Force is working closely with the Police and Crime Commissioner and focusing on the objectives in the Police and Crime Plan. Rural crime officers will be launched  later this summer, which is one of the significant targets in the plan.”

Eisteddfod brings quiet Saturday night in town

The evening of eisteddfod Saturday was quieter than a usual Saturday night in the town.

* Cllr Bob Lube.

That was the good news delivered to members of the town council at their meeting on Tuesday.

The mayor, Cllr Bob Lube , said he wished to commend the police for maintaining a high-level presence in the town throughout eisteddfod week, adding: “There appears to have been very few actual bookings for anti-social behaviour over last weekend.

“In fact, the police tell me that it was quieter than a normal Saturday night here

“Well done to them for that.”  

Man dies after river rescue drama

A man has died after getting into difficulties while in a river on the Shropshire-North Wales border.

Emergency services were called to an isolated location near the confluence of the Rivers Dee and Ceiriog, near Chirk, shortly before 7pm last night.

A search was carried out involving officers from West Mercia Police and North Wales Police and the man was located in the water at around 7.50pm.

He was airlifted to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital where he was pronounced dead late last night.

The Fire and Rescue Service and Ambulance Service also attended and the North Wales Police helicopter assisted in the search.

The man has not yet been named but is believed to a 21-year-old from Shropshire.

West Mercia Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances and renewed warnings about swimming or cooling off in open water.

A force spokesperson said: “There have been a number of recent tragedies in Shropshire and neighbouring counties where people have got into difficulties after entering rivers or quarry pools.

“Please don't be tempted.  These types of water can be highly dangerous with strong under currents, low temperatures which can cause muscle cramps and hidden obstacles beneath the surface.

“Sadly, we are now dealing with another such tragedy.”

Steam loco damaged as yobs leave log on the track

* The Black Five locomotive, which was damaged in Saturday’s incident

on the track, pictured on a Santa Special Train near Berwyn.

An historic steam engine was damaged by yobs leaving a wooden log on the track … as it hauled a murder mystery special carrying over 100 people on the heritage railway line from Carrog to Llangollen on Saturday.

A railway chief says the incident could easily have caused a derailment and serious injury to passengers and crew.  

North Wales police, who say extensive damage was caused to the train, are now investigating the incident which took place at around 9.20pm and have launched an appeal for witnesses.

Railway spokesman George Jones said:  “Llangollen Railway Plc holds a number of evening events throughout the year.

“On Saturday evening, the summertime Murder & Mystery Special operated along the line from Llangollen to Carrog with the Black Five steam locomotive No.44806.

“During the return journey from Carrog, when the locomotive was working tender first, an incident took place involving the placement of a wooden log between the rails of the track at a remote point below Pen-y-Garth, between Glyndyfrdwy and Deeside loop.

“The locomotive involved has been examined and has been found to have sustained damage to the running gear of the tender and locomotive.

“An assessment is being made as to the repair costs, but it will be out of service for some time and this means that no stand-by engine will be available during the busy summer season.”

Railway chairman, Jim Ritchie, commenting on this incident, said: “The board of Llangollen Railway is pleased that, although this incident could have resulted in the derailment and potential injury of crew and passengers, it was fortunate that no one was injured and the train was able to continue its journey back to Llangollen.

“The board attaches the greatest priority to the safe operation of the railway and such an act of vandalism by persons unknown is of the deepest concern.

“The object placed on the track was of a size which could potentially have caused a derailment to a smaller locomotive or a diesel railcar. With over 100 passengers on the train that would have resulted in injury or worse to crew or passengers.”

He added: “The Llangollen Railway is co-operating with North Wales Police who are investigating this incident and appeals for anyone who has information to provide it to the police. The incident has been reported to the Office of the Rail Regulator.

“The penalty for trespassing on any railway, including heritage lines such as Llangollen Railway, is £1,000 and, of course, anyone involved in such practice endangers not just themselves, but also the train crew and passengers using the railway.” 

·         Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to contact PC 2820 Sarah Smith at Llangollen on 101. Alternatively, anyone with information can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.