New law makes for easier walking and cycling in Wales

A landmark Welsh law to make it easier for people to walk and cycle in Wales has been granted Royal Assent by Her Majesty the Queen.

The Letters Patent for the Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013, signed by Her Majesty the Queen and Sealed with the Welsh Seal.

 

The Act - which is considered to be a world first - makes it a legal requirement for local authorities in Wales to map and create fully integrated transport networks that consider the needs of walkers and cyclists.

By connecting key sites such as workplaces, hospitals, schools and shopping areas with traffic free routes and cycle lanes, the Act will encourage people to rely less on their cars when making short journeys.

The Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013 completed its passage through the National Assembly for Wales October 1st 2013.

A Bill receives Royal Assent when Letters Patent under the Welsh Seal signed with Her Majesty’s own hand signifying Her Assent are notified to the Clerk of the National Assembly.

The Bill then becomes an Act of the Assembly.
The Welsh Seal was applied to the Letters Patent in a ceremony in Cardiff earlier today (Monday November 4th).

The First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones said: "This act is a landmark piece of legislation. As a government, we have a proud track record of developing and delivering pioneering policies that make a real difference to people’s lives.

“I’m especially proud we are using our legislative powers to make Wales a true global leader in promoting cycling and walking as a realistic alternative to the car.”

Minister for Culture & Sport, John Griffiths said:“This act will help to begin integrating exercise into everyday life. By making it easier to walk and cycle, it will help make it easier for people all over Wales to be physical active. That should have a beneficial impact on  the health and well-being of people in Wales.”

Suspected human skull found

West Mercia Police sais this morning (Monday) that carbon dating will be carried out on what is believed to be part of a human skull found in woodland at SweeneyMountain, near Oswestry.

Police are continuing to search the location although no other bones have been discovered to date.
The remains were found on Saturday by an organised shooting party.

Detective Inspector Mark Bellamy said today it is likely to be several weeks before the results of carbon dating are known.

He said: “It appears to be part of a human skull, believed to be that of an adult male.  It’s possibly many years old but until tests have been carried out we cannot be sure.

“A pathologist will also examine the remains and an anthropologist is also assisting.  We will be carrying out further searches of the area to establish if there are any other skeletal remains.”

The Shropshire coroner, Mr John Ellery has been informed.

Councillor reveals his "big vision" for Llan parking

THE old municipal tip and the new health centre both figure in a councillor’s “big vision” for the future of parking provision in Llangollen.

Stuart Davis, who represents the town on Denbighshire County Council, says that in a bid to address complaints about a shortage of parking facilities he would like to see the number of spaces doubled in the next two years.

* Cllr Stuart Davies. 

He now plans to ask council officers to come up with an in-depth study on how this can be achieved.

Cllr Davies revealed that one of the possible solutions he has in mind is creating a large number of spaces on the former council refuse tip on the A539 just outside the town, which was closed some years due to access problem from the busy main road.

Another of his ideas is for the council to reach an agreement with the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to share use of parking spaces which will be created to serve the planned new health centre on the site of the River Lodge.

Cllr Davies said: “I have had representations from businesses in the town as parking has become a real issue.

“I have therefore called a meeting across a number of county departments, including planning, traffic and highways, to see what can be done.

“My big vision for the next two years is to double the 400-odd spaces we currently have over the next two years, but we’ve got to be inventive about it.

“I am looking at a traffic management study to get the number of spaces we need and then for it to be made a priority in the Town Plan.”

He added: “We’re going to have 75 parking spaces with the new health centre. I am suggesting we talk to the health board about putting a meter in there and using these for the public at the weekend when the centre doesn’t need them.

“I  also think we could use the old refuse tip at Wenffryd for out of town parking, where we might get at least 100 spaces.

“It’s never been properly developed because of access problems from the main road but the money raised from parking there could pay for a safe right turn to be made into it.

“It’s also possible that we could use some of the money to build some football pitches there for community use.

“This is very much a work in progress but with the tight financial situation we should be looking at ways of increasing parking provision without having to rely on ratepayers to foot the bill.”

New steam engine previews at Llan Railway

* The Unknown Warrior with smokebox fitted.

 

Visitors to Llangollen Railway's Remembrance weekend will be able to view progress on the exciting project to built an example of the Patriot class of express locomotive to commemorate the sacrifice of World War One.

To be known as The Unknown Warrior, the basic frames of the locomotive have been erected in the heritage railway's own engineering workshop and, with additional parts made and fitted, the locomotive is beginning to take shape.

When the main driving wheels are added in a few weeks time, it will be recognisable as an example of the Patriot class built by the London Midland & Scottish Railway in the 1930s.

Visitors taking part in escorted tours of the work shops next weekend will be able to see the fitted out frames with the smokebox attached to the front end.

The intention is to have the locomotive completed in time for the centenary of the Armistice in 2018 when it will be presented as the National Memorial Engine.

The largest item still required to complete the project is the boiler and an appeal to raise £400,000 this will cost is being promoted by the LMS-Patriot Project.

Details of the project will be on show at Llangollen station throughout the weekend as an appropriate theme to the annual Remembrance commemoration.

During the weekend Llangollen Railway will be operating steam train services departing Llangollen at 11am, 1pm and 3pm on both Saturday and Sunday.

Members of the Royal British Legion and Army Cadet Force will be on hand to promote the annual Poppy Appeal and the steam locomotive hauling the train will be wearing a Remembrance headboard.

Andrew Laws, from The LMS-Patriot Project, said: "Visitors to the Llangollen Railway Remembrance weekend will be able to see how the new build project has forged ahead.

"The latest progress on the Unknown Warrior can be seen inside the Llangollen Railway Works, as guided tours are being organised by volunteers from The LMS-Patriot Project. 

 

"The prospect is that a really impressive piece of engineering will be on display later in November when the rolling chassis of the new Patriot is taken for display at the NEC, Birmingham, during the Warley National Model Railway exhibition on November 23/24."

 

As part of the weekend's activities, on the Saturday evening the LMS-Patriot Project will be running a special steam-hauled fish n chip fundraising special.

 

This will leave Llangollen station at 6.30pm with one round trip to Carro.. Fish and chips will be served shortly after departure from Llangollen.

 

A booking form is available to download from:www.lms-patriot.org.uk/FishnChipNov2013.pdf

Take extra care with bonfire night, says ambulance chief

THE Welsh Ambulance Service is urging people to take extra care during Bonfire Night celebrations.

Every year, the service is called to deal with firework and bonfire-related injuries through improper handling of fireworks and people taking unnecessary risks.

The Trust is asking revellers to keep a sensible head in the run-up to November 5.

 

 Mike Collins, Interim Director of Service Delivery at the Welsh Ambulance Service, said: “It is easy to forget how dangerous fireworks, bonfires and even sparklers can be.

“Calls we dealt with last year ranged from minor burns to life-changing injuries as a result of a fireworks display gone wrong, and a lot of these injuries could have been avoided. 

“We want people to enjoy themselves on Bonfire Night, but it is important to remember that fireworks can be potentially lethal if used improperly.

“If you can’t go to a professionally-organised public display and are planning to host your own event, please make safety a priority to ensure everyone has a good time without getting hurt.”

People hosting their own event are reminded that fireworks should be kept in a closed box and used one at a time to avoid any accidents.

Follow the instructions on each firework, using a torch if necessary, and light at arm’s length wearing goggles and protective clothing. Never return to a firework once it has been lit.

Children should wear gloves with sparklers, and never wave it near someone’s face. When the sparkler has finished, put it into a bucket of cold water straight away and leave it there.

Mike added: “Bonfire Night is a demanding time of year for the Welsh Ambulance Service, and makes it difficult for crews to get to other non firework-related incidents.

“Help reduce the number of calls we get about firework-related injuries to zero, and play your part in freeing up valuable resources to help others who may be suffering a life-threatening medical emergency.”

Click the below to learn more about firework safety and find an organised display in your area:

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service: www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk

Notice from wholefood co-operative

llanblogger has received the following notice on behalf of Llangollen Wholefood Co-operative:

"After 6 years of trading the Llangollen Wholefood Co-operative closed its doors on Thursday 31st October. 

"The members of the Co-op would like to thank all the customers who have supported them. 

“We have received so many positive comments in our last few weeks of trade,” said Catherine Veasey. 

"There are now only the last few lines left to sell.  The shop will be opening its doors for one last morning of trade on Saturday 2nd November 10am –1pm with 20% off all remaining stock."

Latest roadworks in the area

Denbighshire County Council has given details of the following local roadworks:

A5, from area boundary to Queen Street, Llangollen, temporary traffic lights until November 22 for wall repairs.

Outside Canoe Centre, Berwyn Road, Llangollen, traffic lights to allow water works from November 3-6.

Opposite old Smithfield pub, Berwyn Street, Llangollen, waterworks from November 3-6.