Road blocked near Bryneglwys

Breaking news ...

The Daily Post's website has posted the following item within the past half hour (now 19.38) ...

7.20pm: ROAD BLOCKED: The A5104 in Denbighshire is blocked in both directions near Bryneglwys following a crash between three vehicles.

 

Police unable to give further detail but the Welsh Ambulance Service had confirmed they are in attendance.

Police seek help to trace missing girl

Police in Llangollen are calling on the help of the public to trace Bethanie Summerscales who is missing.

The 15-year-old (pictured right), who is described as 5ft 3’ tall, of stocky build and has long brown coloured hair was last seen on Friday evening, (July 31st) in the Llandegla area.

She was last seen wearing a green coloured jacket which has a fluffy hood, a  black and pink coloured Adidas top, jeans and trainers.

PC 1295 Andy Williams, who is based in Llangollen said: “It is possible that Bethanie may still be in the North Wales area. However, the teenager also has links to the Oldham and Manchester areas.

"We are appealing for help in tracing her and anyone with information, who believes they may have seen Bethanie or knows of her current whereabouts to please get in touch with us. Similarly, we are appealing for Bethanie herself to please contact us and let us know she is safe and well.

“Inquiries to locate Bethanie are continuing and anyone with information should contact North Wales Police on 101 reference S114812.”

Bikers take over pavilion for big weekend event

* Action in the arena during the Sunday afternoon session of LlanBike Fest.

 

Thousands of bikers roared into town for the Llangollen International Motorcycle Festival - LlanBikeFest 15 over the weekend.

The show was opened by seven-times TT winner Mick Grant and Carl "Foggy" Fogarty, the most successful World Superbike (WSB) racer of all time.

The On the Edge Trial Stunt Display Team performed amazing feats of skill on both days.

 

Billed as the world’s best stunt riders, the team is led by Jack Challoner and Martin Crosswaite, who between them have won multiple British, European and world trials championships.

 

On Sunday more than 100 classic trials machines competed in a stage of the Northern British Bike Pre-65 Trials Championship (NBBC) as part of a championship round hosted by Llangollen and District Motorcycle Club.

 

Other attractions included a TT race bike simulator, live bands, a Saturday night party,  vintage funfair.

People should expose scams, says county

Denbighshire County Council is calling on residents to expose scams and help stop more people from falling prey to clever cons that fleece them of thousands of pounds.

The Council is supporting the national Scams Awareness Month campaign which highlights how scams continue to flourish when people stay silent.

Figures show that less than 5% of victims across the country report scams to the authorities, and Denbighshire County Council is encouraging residents to report suspicious activities, get advice if they think they’ve been conned, and to warn others to help stop scams from spreading.

Scams come in every form, from doorstep double glazing sales to online investment offers.

People may be targeted with “vishing” calls where a fraudster impersonates their bank to collect their bank details, or by bogus companies offering computer services.

Online scams include dodgy job adverts and offers for goods and services, while mail scams may ask victims to pay a fee in order to claim their winnings from a prize draw they haven’t entered.

Councillor David Smith, Cabinet Lead Member for Public Protection, said: “The Scams Awareness Month campaign is asking people to keep two things in mind when they receive an unsolicited approach or when they are looking for goods or services: don’t be rushed and don’t be hushed.

"People should take their time to make a decision and get their facts together before parting with their money or personal information, and speak out when they think they’ve spotted a scam."

Top tips for avoiding scams
● If it sounds too good to be true it probably is
● It you haven’t bought a ticket – you can’t win it
● You shouldn’t have to pay anything to get a prize
● If in doubt, don’t reply. Bin it, delete it or hang up
● Contacted out of the blue? – be suspicious.
● Don’t be rushed – resist pressure to make a decision straight away.
● Never send money to someone you have never met.
● Walk away from job ads that ask for money in advance.
● Your bank will never attend your home to collect cash, your pin, payment card or chequebook if you are a victim of fraud.
● Your bank will never phone you to ask for your PIN or your online banking password.
● Your bank will never ask you to transfer money to a new account for fraud reasons.
· Suspect a phone scam? Hang up, wait five minutes to clear the line or use another phone to call your bank.
● Genuine computer firms do not make unsolicited phone calls to help you fix your computer.
● Don’t suffer in silence – speak out about scams.
What to do if you have been scammed
● Report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 to help stop it happening to others.
● Often you can't always get your money back if you've been scammed, especially if you've handed over cash.
● If you've paid for goods or services by credit card you have more protection and if you used a debit card you may be able to ask your bank for a chargeback.
● Get advice and report it to Trading Standards through the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 (for advice in Welsh phone 03454 04 05 05) or online advice at www.adviceguide.org.uk

* For consumer advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 or 03454 04 05 05 for Welsh language speakers. They can also pass on details to trading standards.

Improved access to Horseshoe Falls

* Deputy Minister Ken Skates, centre, with guests at the launch of the Horseshoe Falls project.

Visitors to the iconic Horseshoe Falls at Llantysilio are now able to enjoy breath-taking views and improved access thanks to funding from the Heritage Tourism Project. 

* The Horseshoe Falls. 

The project is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government and led by Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service.

The project, delivered by staff from the Clwydian Range & Dee Valley AONB has opened up one of the most striking views within the Dee Valley. Visitors to the site can now relax and unwind at the extended recreational area and picnic site.

A well surfaced track to the viewing area has been created meaning everyone can easily appreciate the striking vista in which the Horseshoe Falls is located.

On site interpretation relate to the rich historic and cultural story of the Falls and the wider Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal World Heritage Site, as well as the abundant wildlife that lives here.

There is even a free app that has been produced aimed at families with  Primary aged children – the Horseshoe Falls `Quest – that allows younger visitors to have fun whilst exploring and learning about the area.

To celebrate the official  launch of the project, local residents, partners from key organisations such as Canal & River Trust, Wrexham & Denbighshire County Council, the National Trust and members of the Clwydian Range & Dee Valley AONB were joined by the Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism – Ken Skates AM.

Mr Skates said “This new project has transformed the visitor experience to the area. The new pathways and access opportunities means that visitors no longer have to negotiate the narrow lane to reach the River Dee. 

“Investing in our heritage tourism not only improves our most valuable tourism assets it also boosts  the local economy.  Recent research by Cardiff University found that the economic impact attributed to tourists visiting sites which have benefited from the  Heritage Tourism Project equates to up to £19m annually, and supports more than 1,000 full time jobs.

“The Horseshoe Falls will also benefit and I’m sure will see an increase in visitor numbers as a result of this investment.” 

Police appeal for help to find missing man

North Wales Police are appealing for help tracing a 47-year-old man who has been missing from the Glanrafon area of Corwen since around 10 am on Sunday 26th July 2015. 

Roy Hill was last seen when he was dropped off at the rear car park of The Eagles in Corwen and has not contacted family or friends since.  Police were notified but all enquiries have thus far proved fruitless.

Sergeant Martin Kimpton at North Wales Police said  “Mr Hill He is approximately 6’ 2, of medium build with short cut frizzy hair which is mousy/brown in colour.

"He speaks with a Yorkshire accent.

"When last seen he was wearing a black waterproof jacket just above knee length, blue jeans and blue trainers.  

"I would ask anyone who has sighted Mr Hill, or knows of his whereabouts, to contact police.  

"His friends have had no contact with him since 26^th July and we are increasingly concerned for his welfare.”

Police are also appealing to Mr Hill himself to contact police, family and friends to let them know that he is safe and well.

* Anyone with any information should contact North Wales police on 101 quoting NWP missing person reference 13539.

AM welcomes council action to stop village's rat run

Residents in a village near Llangollen blighted by speeding breathed a sigh of relief after an AM secured assurances traffic-calming measures will be introduced to prevent it becoming ‘a rat run’.

Councillors in Pentredwr asked Clwyd South AM Ken Skates to allay their long-running fears about drivers using the community as a high-speed cut-through.

Denbighshire County Council has now confirmed that speed bumps should be installed before the Horseshoe Pass closes later this year.

Labour AM Mr Skates (pictured left) said: “Pentredwr has long been used as a short cut by drivers going down behind the Ponderosa instead of over the main Horseshoe Pass. They go dangerously fast on a far narrower, steeper route which has no footpaths.

“Put simply, Pentredwr was in danger of becoming a rat run if something wasn’t done, as the upcoming closure of the Horseshoe Pass would just lead to more and more vehicles hammering through the village at stupid speeds.

“This has been a real worry for residents and the community council for a long time, so I’m delighted to have secured an assurance that Denbighshire County Council will address it.”

In his response to Mr Skates’s urgent letter to the council, chief executive Dr Mohammed Mehmet said: “In relation to speeding traffic, we have secured county capital funding to implement a traffic-calming scheme within the village of Pentredwr this financial year.

“If the county councillors, community council and residents are in agreement with the proposal to implement speed humps within the village, it is hoped that the works can be tendered and implemented prior to the closure of the Horseshoe Pass.”

... and news of Pontfadog speed clampdown

* Mr Skates has praised police after a commitment to clamp down on speeding through a village in the Ceiriog Valley.

The Clwyd South AM has secured a pledge from North Wales Chief Constable Mark Polin that extra patrols will be deployed to enforce the 30mph limit through Pontfadog.

Mr Skates has previously urged Wrexham Council to do ‘everything possible’ to improve road safety outside the village school after being contacted by constituent Gayle Watkin, who said parents were growing increasingly  concerned about speeding.

He said: “There have been numerous attempts to get something done about this problem, but residents’ pleas have previously fallen on deaf ears.

“I’m pleased that North Wales Police has agreed there is a problem and that Mr Polin has promised that action is imminent, and I hope to see Wrexham Council follow suit in the not-too-distant future.”

Mr Polin’s letter to the AM stated: “Arrangements have been made for additional patrols to enforce speeding limits on the B4500. A speed survey at the location has been approved with a view to GoSafe enforcing at the location in the future.”

Mr Skates has asked the council to consider flashing signs either side of the village, speed bumps and a barrier outside the school gate as there is at present only a narrow pavement separating the grounds from the main road.

The council said: “The B4500, and in particular that length of this road within Pontfadog will be considered for such works during the 2015/16 financial year.”

Mr Skates added: “The headteacher, Miss Atkinson-Corben, and the school governors also want to see something done about this, so I am encouraged that we’re finally seeing some action to protect the children of Pontfadog.”