Local MP wins national road safety award for campaign

Susan Elan Jones, MP for Clwyd South, has been awarded a national road safety award by the charity Brake and Direct Line Group for her work campaigning for longer jail terms for drivers who kill or seriously injure.

 

Susan (pictured right) launched her campaign after the tragic death of nine-year-old, Robert Gaunt, who was run over and killed in 2009.

The driver of the car involved had no licence, no insurance and failed to stop when he hit Robert. He was given a 22 month prison sentence, but served just 10 months.

 

The maximum sentence for causing a death when driving unlicensed, disqualified or uninsured is two years in jail, and the maximum for killing someone and failing to stop and report it is up to six months. This compares to a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison for drivers convicted of causing death by dangerous driving.

 

Susan brought forward The Driving Offences (Review of Sentencing Guidelines) Bill under a 10-minute rule bill in January. She called for the government to reconsider the maximum jail sentences for driving that leads to death and serious injury, including unlicensed and hit and run drivers.

 

After being contacted by Robert Gaunt's family and other local residents in 2010 outraged over the lack of justice following Robert's death, Susan determined to take up the call in Parliament.

 

Since then, Susan has been in regular contact with the family and has written letters, worked in the media, tabled parliamentary questions and lobbied ministers to raise awareness of this gross injustice.

 

In 2011, Susan drew the attention of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice, Crispin Blunt, to her campaign and urged him to consider a review of maximum sentences for serious driving offences. While he noted her concerns, this time the Minister did not accept the need for a review.

 

Susan was able to secure cross party support for her Private Member's Bill - in January 2014 - calling for a review. Numerous other MPs across different parties said they had experienced similar cases to Robert's in their own constituencies, and were equally concerned about the issue of justice for bereaved and seriously injured road crash victims.

 

The formal date for second reading in Parliament is 28 February and the Ministry of Justice is now committed to reviewing the law surrounding serious driving offences.

 

Susan has been speaking to MPs across different political parties to try to ensure the issue is kept at the forefront of the political debate, and vows to continue working on the campaign.

 

Julie Townsend, deputy chief executive, Brake, the road safety charity, said: "We're fully behind Susan's campaign, which is vital in helping to secure justice for families who have been devastated by road death or serious injury.

 

"Risky, illegal driving frequently ends lives violently and needlessly, and inflicts appalling suffering on families and communities, which we bear witness to through our support services for crash victims. It's crucial these offences are taken seriously and appropriately tough sentences are handed out, to deter risky driving and ensure justice is done.

 

"We applaud Susan's work, and look forward to continuing to work alongside her in the future."

 

Susan Elan Jones said: "Brake is an outstanding campaigning organisation - and I am absolutely delighted to receive this award. However, this award also belongs to local campaigners and Overton-on-Dee Community Council who have worked with me throughout on this campaign.

 

"We remain determined in our quest to work with Brake to secure some measure of justice for the family of those people so tragically killed or seriously injured on our roads."

Final update from police on severe weather ...

Severe weather update 10.15pm February 12th

The Multi Agency response to the severe weather affecting all north Wales will now stand down as weather conditions have eased.

 

Although the weather has subsided advice from North Wales Police remains the same of not travelling or venturing out unless absolutely necessary and as earlier outlined for the latest road information check Traffic Wales particularly when planning travel in tomorrow’s rush hour.

 

The Britannia Bridge will remain closed until at least mid-morning (Thursday 13^th February) with the Suspension Bridge closed to high sided vehicles until further notice.

 

Mold Road Wrexham will also remain closed until mid-morning and likely to cause delays for motorists linking to the A483.  The Nant y Garth pass in Ruthin is also closed until tomorrow.

 

Scottish Power are still working on resupplying lost power throughout the region but their efforts are being hampered by the conditions and felled trees blocking roads .

 

Chief Inspector Darren Wareing who has led the Multi Agency response from Police HQ “Although the conditions have improved they are still very difficult for motorists with many roads partly blocked through fallen trees and other debris.  I’d advise motorists to plan well ahead for tomorrow morning or even postpone the journey until conditions return fully to normality.

 

“Our efforts are focused onto clearing roads, restoring power and returning the area to normality as quickly but as safely as possible.   I would still advise extra care to be taken if any journey needs to be made on foot due to roofing materials dislodged by high winds.

 

“I’d also like to sincerely thank the local and motoring communities for their patience, understanding and common sense which has helped ease the burden on Emergency Services”

 

“In order to allow emergency services sufficient time to attend I would also ask that contact is kept at an appropriate and sensible level so our resources can be deployed where absolutely necessary.   For any issues about fallen trees or debris that are not affecting traffic or risk to the public please call 101.  Only dial 999 if there is a risk to life.”

 

People are also asked if they can to continue to look out for elderly vulnerable neighbours and friends.

 

Commuters are being advised to contact Train or Bus services to ascertain if they will be operating in the morning. 

 

Ferry passengers arriving at Holyhead Port are being advised by Stena to remain within the confines of the Port until onward travel is possible.

 

North Wales Police have deployed extra resources and are asking members of the public to assist by staying away from affected areas for their own safety and to allow Emergency Service unhindered access. 

 

For further updates monitor local TV and Radio stations and Police Social Media and if anyone has any concerns phone 101 or in an emergency 999 and appropriate resources will be deployed.

 

For up to date traffic conditions in the area visit  http://www.traffic-wales.com/

Severe weather update 9.00pm February 12th

12/02/2014 The Multi Agency response to the severe weather affecting all north Wales continues.

 

The ‘Red’ severe weather warnings remain in place as does advice from North Wales Police of not travelling or venturing out unless absolutely necessary.  For the latest road information check Traffic Wales.

 

The Britannia Bridge remains closed to all traffic with the Suspension Bridge closed to high sided vehicles with other traffic flowing freely.  Scottish Power are still working on resupplying lost power throughout the region.

 

Chief Inspector Darren Wareing who is managing the Multi Agency response from Police HQ in Colwyn Bay said  “The weather continues unabated throughout the whole region and all emergency services are fully committed.   Our advice remains the same.  Please stay indoors where possible as roads are still affected by fallen trees and other debris.   Traffic is affected throughout the region and so any unnecessary travel is adding to the problem.   Extra care should also be taken if any journey needs to be made on foot due to roofing materials dislodged by high winds.

 

“The Multi Agency response will continue until weather and road condition improve however I would also ask that contact with the emergency services is kept at an appropriate and sensible level so our resources can be deployed where absolutely necessary.   For any issues about fallen trees or debris that are not affecting traffic or risk to the public please call 101. Only dial 999 if there is a risk to life.”

 

People are also asked if they can to continue to look out for elderly vulnerable neighbours and friends.

 

Train services remain suspended throughout north Wales with many roads affected by fallen trees and other debris.

 

North Wales Police have deployed extra resources and are asking members of the public to assist by staying away from affected areas for their own safety and to allow Emergency Service unhindered access. 

 

For further updates monitor local TV and Radio stations and Police Social Media and if anyone has any concerns phone 101 or in an emergency 999 and appropriate resources will be deployed.

 

For up to date traffic conditions in the area visit  http://www.traffic-wales.com/

 

Severe weather update from North Wales Police - 7.25pm February 12th

The Multi Agency response to the severe weather affecting north Wales continues.

 

‘Red’ severe weather warnings remain in place with North Wales Police advising not to travel unless absolutely necessary and for those whose need is essential to allow extra time, drive within the conditions and check Traffic Wales for updates.

 

The Britannia Bridge remains closed to all traffic with the Suspension Bridge closed to high sided vehicles.  Scottish Power are attending affected properties throughout the region.

 

HGVs are being directed to Bryn Cefni in Llangefni and Bryn Cegin in Bangor where they are being ‘stacked’ until the weather improves and Red Cross are on site providing refreshments.

 

Chief Inspector Darren Wareing who is managing the Multi Agency response from Police HQ in Colwyn Bay said  “The weather is still atrocious and slowly moving across the force area in an easterly direction.   Our message remains the same to stay indoors where ever possible as roads are becoming impassable in coastal areas and inland due to falling trees and debris including roofing.   Please don’t travel unless it is absolutely necessary.”

 

The officer also added for those who are able to check upon the welfare of any vulnerable neighbours and friends.

 

Train services have been suspended throughout north Wales.

 

Roads currently closed in the area include the A470 at Glan Conwy and A483 Chirk Viaduct due to a downed tree and strong winds respectively.  Mold Road Wrexham is also closed by the football ground and is unlikely to reopen by the morning rush hour.

 

North Wales Police have deployed extra resources and are asking members of the public to assist by staying away from affected areas, not just for their own safety but also to allow Emergency Service vehicles unhindered access. 

 

Members of the community are being asked to monitor local TV and Radio stations and Police Social Media for updates in relation to the weather and if anyone has any concerns, in an emergency call 999 and appropriate resources will be deployed.

 

For up to date traffic conditions in the area visit  http://www.traffic-wales.com/

Earlier ...

In the latest update on the weather this morning (Wednesday), the Environment Agency says there are currently 16 severe flood warnings, 124 flood warnings and 229 flood alerts in place across the UK.

North Wales Police says on Twitter: “Met Office warnings in place today - please don't put yourselves or others at risk by going to weather affected areas to take photographs.”

And the force’s control room tweeted: “Very high winds have been forecast for North Wales today. High-sided vehicles to take particular care on our roads.”

In other weather-related tweets this morning, Chirk Castle says: “Chirk Castle will be closed today Wednesday 12 February due to adverse weather.”

And IT Wales says: "Virgin trains to halt north Wales services this afternoon."

Later ...

Wrexham.com has just tweeted (5.27pm) that it has had reports that the Wrexham's Racecourse Ground has been damaged in the storm with debris on Mold Rd.

Tweeted around 8pm: North Wales Police ‏@NWPolice 38m

The A483 #Chirk viaduct is currently closed due to the weather conditions until further notice.

Tweeted around 6pm: Llangollen Fire ‏@Llangollenfire 2h

Also a big tree down on the A539 just before the speed camera in the south bound lane.

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AM raises issue of fuel poverty

North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood welcomed new fuel poverty initiatives in Flintshire and Denbighshire when speaking in the Assembly chamber and said it is crucial that people are made aware of the help they, and other fuel poverty schemes, provide.   

 

Mr Isherwood, who is Chair of the Assembly Cross Party Group on Fuel Poverty, referred to Flintshire’s  Affordable Warmth Scheme and Denbighshire’s Fuel Poverty Action Plan when questioning the Minister for Natural Resources and Food on Welsh Government Action to tackle Fuel Poverty.

 

Mr Isherwood said: “Although schemes such as Flintshire’s Affordable Warmth Scheme and Denbighshire’s Fuel Poverty Action Plan are welcomed - and both are newly launched - we heard at this lunch time’s meeting of the Cross-Party Group on Older People and Ageing, that older people are still often unaware of the help available and lack support in key areas, where Arbed and Nest will only ever reach 1% to 2% of fuel poor households in Wales annually.

 

“How, therefore, do you respond to the calls that were made at that meeting today for the restoration of the Fuel Poverty Ministerial Advisory Group in Wales, alongside those elsewhere in the UK, and for the Welsh Government to raise its fuel poverty game beyond Arbed and Nest, welcome though they are?”

 

In his reply the Minister agreed with Mr Isherwood that it is crucial to ensure that “people who can benefit from fuel poverty schemes are able to do so, and have the knowledge of the schemes and information about those schemes to enable them to take full advantage of their access to those programmes.”

Councillors vote to close Plas Madoc

BREAKING NEWS ...

Reporter Steve Bagnall from the Daily Post, who is covering the meeting where it has been discussed,  has just tweeted that Wrexham councillors have voted to close Plas Madoc Leisure Centre.

See the full storey at: http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/plas-madoc-councillors-vote-close-6697071

Five-car smash on A483

Breaking news ...

5.15pm: Wrexham.com minutes ago re-tweeted information that there has been a five-car smash on the southbound A483 (Wrexham Bypass) between the B&Q and Coedpoeth junctions.

Decision time for Plas Madoc this afternoon

Campaigner Mabon ap Gwynfor reports on Twitter that there are about 200 people outside the Guildhall in Wrexham as, inside, members of the executive board are due to take the final decision this afternoon on whether to close Plas Madoc leisure centre and Waterworld leisure centre in Wrexham. 

He has also posted the picture below.

Denbighshire consults on flood risk strategy

Under the Flood and Water Management Act, Denbighshire County Council as the Lead Local Flood Authority has developed a strategy to show how it will provide a coordinated, resourced and comprehensive approach to managing flood risk in the future.

Cabinet Lead Member for Environment, Councillor David Smith, said: "Unfortunately, we in Denbighshire have experienced unprecedented weather events that have led to significant flooding in communities across the County in the last 18 months.

"I have seen first hand the devastation this has caused to many households and that is why it is important that we take advantage of the opportunity to assess where flooding is possible and have a strategy in place to manage those risks as much as possible so I would urge people to get involved and have their say."

The draft strategy and supporting documents can be found on www.denbighshire.gov.uk/consultations and hard copies of the Strategy are available at libraries in Rhyl, Rhuddlan, Prestatyn, St Asaph, Corwen and Llangollen. Copies can also be viewed at the Council's offices at Caledfryn in Denbigh and County Hall in Ruthin.

The consultation runs until 4th April.