Latest roadworks details

Hall Street, Llangollen, road closure from March 10-28 to allow the laying of road cables.

Brook Street, Llangollen, road closure from February 25-March 18 to allow laying of new cables.

Outside the Canoe Centre, Berwyn Road, Llangollen, temporary traffic lights from March 24-26 to allow water works.

Prince of Wales Pub, Regent Street, Llangollen, temporary traffic lights from March 24-26 to allow water works.

Birch Terrace, Llangollen, A5 from area boundary to Queen Street, temporary traffic lights from February 20-March 6 to allow retaining wall works.

Park Avenue- Hall Street, Berwyn Street, Llangollen, temporary traffic lights until March 14 to allow the laying of new cables.

Dee floods near Corwen

* A picture of the Dee flooding from North Wales Police control room.

The River Dee has burst its banks at Corwen.

On Twitter at about 9.30am, the North Wales Police control room says: “Flooding in Corwen. Green Lane only just passable with extreme care. Don't take risks, use an alternative route.”

Another tweet from the control room at around the same time says the flooding is near Carrog.

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Research prompts call for Plas Madoc to be saved

New research revealing that poorer communities are less physically active has prompted calls for Wrexham Council to reverse its decision to close Plas Madoc leisure centre.

 

The research by the ESRC (Economic and Social research Council) says that being less physically active is storing up huge health-related problems for the future.

 

Researchers from the ESRC examined data on over one million adults in England. The large sample size and detailed local information made it possible to produce precise estimates of the link between physical inactivity and different aspects of individual socio-economic positions, adjusted for local cost of physical activity.

Their research shows high levels of inactivity are closely associated with people’s socio-economic position – specifically income, education and local area deprivation. Other factors influencing physical activity include gender, ethnic group, age and geographic area.

 

The policy implications refer to:

- Subsidising sports centres and swimming pools to keep prices low could enable low-income people to attend local facilities

- Financial support for the development of sports facilities in lower socio-economic areas with reduced tax bases could provide gyms, football pitches and pools which are free at the point of access.

Plaid Cymru Clwyd South spokesperson, Mabon ap Gwynfor said: “Plas Madoc is in one of the most deprived wards in Wales. This research shows that inactivity levels and deprivation levels are linked. Our Health system is already struggling. The closure of Plas Madoc is a short sighted decision which will create huge problems for the future.

“The ESRC is a respected research body and is the UK's largest organisation for funding research on economic and social issues. It says that swimming pools and sports centres should be kept open and financial support should be given to develop sports facilities.

“By contrast, Wrexham Council is actively closing a popular leisure centre based in one of our most deprived wards.

“Diabetes Type Two is on the increase; obesity levels are rising; heart disease continues to be the nation’s biggest killer. All of these cost our NHS tens of millions every year. Health costs could be cut if we provided more leisure facilities. Plas Madoc is ideally placed to play an important part in tackling these health issues and help ease the burden on our health service.”

Plas Madoc campaigners pledge to fight on

Organisers behind the Save Plas Madoc Leisure Centre Campaign have expressed their disappointment at Tuesday’s vote to close Plas Madoc but say they are resolute in continuing their campaign for its survival.

As the next step in they have announced a public meeting for next week, Thursday 20th February at the Air Products Social Club in Acrefair.

One of the Organisers, Greg Ogden, said: "Naturally, we are disappointed that the WCBC Executive Board chose to inflate their egos with an unnecessary dream over the well-being of the vulnerable and less-abled people in the community. However, we believe that we can persuade the council to change their minds and vote for the Leisure Centre to remain open."

"We are constantly being stopped in the street with people angry that Wrexham South is being abandoned by its council and politicians. The vote for closure is the only topic of conversation in the local shops and cafés. These same people are telling us that they will remember which councillors have neglected them at the next ballot box. We have promised them that we record and publish how each councillor votes.

"One local resident told me, 'What is the council for, if they won't listen to what the public want for their area? What is the point of the council, if it closes our valued services and amenities?' The campaign team wholeheartedly agrees with this sentiment, what is purpose of the council, if it won't fulfill the wishes of its residents?"

Another campaign organiser Darrell Wright, said: "We are inviting all those concerned with the plight of Plas Madoc to meet next Thursday. Together we will plan how we can secure the future of the Leisure Centre and how the campaign will be run over the next few weeks. We encourage everyone who can make it to be there.

"In the meantime, we urge everyone to contact their local councillor and demand that they vote to save Plas Madoc at the full council meeting on February 26."

In the next few days, the campaign team will meet with AM Ken Skates and Cllr Paul Blackwell to tell them how angry their voters are with the council's decision.

The team is also discussing professional advice they have had which they say states that the social enterprise/community trust initiative is being set up to fail, as the council is "dragging their heals" over presenting information that was first requested in October.

Church to hold St David's Day celebration

St Collen's Church, Llangollen, is holding a St David’s Day celebration in the church hall at 7pm on Saturday, March 1.

Welsh stew and sandwiches will be served and tickets, at £5, are available from the vicar on 01978 860231.

Lib Dems launch 'more nurses' campaign

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have launched their ‘More Nurses’ campaign in a bid to make Wales the first country in the UK to establish a legal duty for safe nurse staffing levels. 

 

In December, Kirsty Williams AM was drawn in the National Assembly’s private member’s ballot with her proposal for minimum nurse staffing levels to be enshrined in law. 

 

She is working with the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) to encourage people to support the campaign to allow the legislation to be taken forward and properly debated. 

 

Assembly Members will vote on the proposed bill on March 5.

 

North Wales Lib Dem AM Aled Roberts (pictured left) said: "There is increasing evidence from across the world that nurse staffing levels have a significant impact on patient care and the recruitment and retention of staff.  Yet sadly in Wales our nurses are under immense pressure with high workloads, which means they are unable to give the level of care they would like.

 

“It is staggering to see the vast difference in the ratio of nurses to patients in Wales when compared to the rest of the UK.  Our nurses are being forced to do more, but with less.  Wales deserves better than that.

 

“Mandatory nurse staffing levels in other countries have led to increased recruitment and retention of nurses, reduced reliance on agency staff, fully funded budgets for safe staffing levels, better patient care, more manageable workloads, increased job satisfaction and reduced stress.

 

“Safe nurse staffing levels would also be a more efficient use of funding, reducing reliance on costly agency staff and overtime, reducing lengthy hospital stays and reducing the risk of harm. 

 

“I want Wales to lead the way in being the first country in the UK to establish a legal duty for safe nurse staffing levels.  We have three weeks left to make the case for this bill to progress to the next stage.  I urge everyone to visit www.morenurses.org.uk to make their voice heard and encourage their local AM to vote ‘Yes’ on March 5.” 

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."