AM raises North Wales rail issues

Rail issues facing North Wales were raised by Mark Isherwood AM during the latest session of an inquiry into the Welsh Government’s plans for the next Wales and Borders Rail Franchise.

Mr Isherwood (pictured), who has long been calling for improvements to services for the region, championed North Wales Rail Issues when questioning Network Rail, UK Department for Transport, Engineering Sector Panel and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure in the Welsh Government during the latest session of the Assembly Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee inquiry into the plans.

Mr Isherwood spoke of “a number of witnesses here and in Shrewsbury reinforcing the need for rail investment in north Wales” and referred to the North Wales & Mersey Dee Rail Task Force’s ‘Growth Track 360’ proposals with both Governments.

Questioning them over the North Wales and Merseyside connectivity - the Halton curve, he said: “We know that the Liverpool City Region have made the decision to invest up to the border, but there’s not yet been a parallel decision this side of the border. What might the potential implications of that be, or do you have any thoughts about how that might go forward?

“Similarly, with Wrexham-Saltney, or particularly Rossett, and the notorious missing two miles, what will the implication of that be if those two miles aren’t filled, and the capacity issues that will result? We understand there might be capacity for one extra train per two hours, but I don’t know if you’re able to indicate anything about that.”

Mr Isherwood also spoke of concern over the connectivity to Crewe, particularly with electrification, and where the absence of a hub connection at Crewe might impact on the proposals for North Wales, and connectivity to Manchester and Manchester and Liverpool airports.  

He said: “My understanding is that the north-east Wales border has the highest cross-border motor crossing anywhere in the UK daily, and rail usage is amongst the lowest in terms of travel to work cross-border, or travel to shopping, or whatever it may be, because of the limitations. What greater capacity could be provided if that two miles had been dualled?

“Given, obviously, that Growth Track 360 is about two sides of the border, it’s about the travelling area and the commercial area of the region, what about connectivity into Manchester? Because obviously, at the moment, you effectively miss the city and have to come back in again. And obviously ensuring the sustainability of connectivity with the two main airports.”

Man dies in River Dee say police

North Wales Police has confirmed that they were alerted by the Welsh Ambulance Service to an incident which occurred at 2.51pm yesterday (Sunday) on the River Dee in the Newbridge area near Wrexham.

Police say a 31-year-old man local to the area was taken ill in the river and despite best efforts was pronounced dead at the scene.

They say it is too early to speculate what caused his death but it is not believed that there any suspicious circumstances.

His family and next of kin have been informed, as has the coroner.

* The Daily Post has an update on this story, at: http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/live-emergency-services-wrexham-incident-12933489

Back to work help scheme launched

A scheme which aims to get people aged 25 and over back into the workplace and overcome barriers that prevent them from getting work in the first place has been set up in Denbighshire.

The Opus programme supports individuals who are either economically inactive or long term unemployed and are eager to progress into training, volunteering and work.

People that may be eligible for OPUS support may have:

·        * No or low employability skills

·        * A work limiting health condition

·        * Learning disability or difficulty

·        * Physical disability or sensory impairment

·        * Care or childcare responsibilities

·        * Aged 54 and over

·        * Or from a jobless household.

Opus is part funded by the European Social Fund through the Welsh Government and provides support and interventions that help people with appropriate skills towards gaining work.

The support available includes one to one assistance to create individual plans, work around confidence and building self esteem, training opportunities to improve skills, volunteering and work placements to gain practical work experience, job search, CV writing skills and interview techniques.

* For further information, please contact the Opus team, on 01824 712838 or by e-mail: OPUS@Denbighshire.gov.uk. Twitter: @OPUS_DCC

Extra hotel beds needed in county as tourism rises

* Paddle boarding is one of the activities bringing more tourists to the county.

Creating extra hotel beds to Denbighshire is the aim for the coming year as tourism in the county rises bringing hundreds of millions of pounds into the local economy.

Denbighshire County Council’s Tourism Growth Plan has helped contribute to a rise in the number of visitors to the county to 5.86million, a 5.3 per cent increase on 2014, while more than 6,100 jobs, up 7.4 per cent, are supported by the sector.

The total economic impact of tourism in the county for 2015 was £458.39m, a six per cent rise from the previous year.

Carolyn Brindle, the Council’s Lead Officer Business Support & Local Growth, said: “Tourism is a vital part of Denbighshire’s economy. Tourism helps makes towns and villages sustainable and the Tourism Growth Plan, sets out the county’s approach to developing this sector.

“The aims of the Plan are to increase numbers and, importantly, visitor spend as well as creating more jobs and more opportunities.

“Work on the Plan is being carried out by a number of departments, including the Council’s Tourism, Marketing and Events Team, as well as the Countryside Services team, working together under the direction of the Economic and Community Ambition Programme.”

The main focus for the coming year is to increase the quality and number of beds in the county and developments in the pipeline include a Premier Inn and Travelodge in Rhyl which will bring an extra 140 beds to the county. 

Over the past year the plan has provided funding to update the Ride North Wales website, which promotes the area as a haven for mountain bikers, and for the Clwydian Range Food Trail producers group to attend a range of food festivals and develop promotional materials.

Funding was provided to Dee Valley Active, a group of 15 businesses created to harness the economic potential of the Dee Valley by providing and promoting outdoor adventure tourism.

Part of the funding was used to set up a single point of sale booking system for the group.

Lianne Ing of Corwen-based Stand up Paddle Board UK, said: “This could mean big things for our business locally and other businesses like us.

“To have a central booking platform for outdoor activities it will bring us local businesses together collaborating under one roof to provide the activities that we run and love to tourists and the local community.”

Other projects included encouraging businesses to use Welsh to build on the economic strengths provided by Denbighshire’s strong Welsh identity and culture, which included helping the Oriel Hotel in St Asaph provide a Welsh wedding package.

 

County warns over company registration fee

Denbighshire County Council is alerting people to a new scam where businesses are contacted soon after registering with Companies House to pay a “fee”.

The letter they receive purports to be linked to Companies House claiming the recipient is required to “confirm their registration”. The company request a fee of £190, and the implication is that this is required as part of the Companies Registration, when that is not the case.

The council says it is aware of at least one company locally who have been contacted in this way.

For more information regarding this scam, or to report receipt of such a letter, visit the National Fraud and Cyber Crime website at: www.actionfraud.police.uk  

People can also contact Citizens Advice on 03454 040506 or Action Fraud on  0300 123 2040 for advice.

Old health centre goes up for sale

* The former health centre in Regent Street has been placed on the market.

The former health centre in Regent Street is now on the market with a guide price of £150,000.

The building has been empty for almost two years since the GP practice moved to the new purpose-built health centre in Mill Street and it became surplus to the requirements of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.  

Wingetts estate agents is now advertising it for sale at the instruction of the health board.

The sales description says: “A unique opportunity to purchase the freehold interest of this 2 storey semi-detached property within Llangollen town centre suitable for a variety of uses subject to planning and necessary consents.

“Having a gross internal ground floor area of 580m sq with additional first floor space and an easement to use the adjoining car park.”

It adds: “Final and best offers by noon on Monday June 5 to Wingetts Llangollen office.”

Soon after the building was vacated there were suggestions from local people that it could be used as a community hub.

* For more details of the sale, see: _{http://www.rightmove.co.uk/commercial-property-for-sale/property-59038801.html}

News from Plas Newydd

Plas Newydd is now open from 10am till 5pm every day except Tuesday with last entry to the house at 4pm. 

Last orders for the tearooms is also at  4pm.

The tearooms/shop area has been refurbished over the winter months and is lighter and more spacious. It offers a range of homemade soups, light lunches, cakes and scones. 

The garden is a spring delight, full of primroses and tulips with wild garlic in the Dell.

At the 20th anniversary of the Llangollen Fringe event held recently at the White Waters Sue reminded people about the Plas Newydd Art competition entitled Dee Valley Myths and Legends to link into the Wales Year of Legends. 

This is for adults and children and can be paintings, sketches or photos. 

Deadline for entries is Sunday July 16. 

Many myths abound in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to inspire creativity including King Arthur and the Holy Grail , Bran and his magic cauldron, giants and dragons. 

Gill Smith from Llangollen Museum is giving a talk at Plas Newydd on Wednesday April 26, from 6.30 to 8.30pm on the topic Local Myths and Legends.

If you are looking for something for the family don’t forget  Threadwork to sew the carvings. It's a free family  event at Y Caban on Friday April 21.  Drop in from 10am to 1pm. 
 
Plas Newydd's art Exhibition this month   in Y Caban – is by Jim Heath a local artist from Chirk who is showing some local and French paintings  in watercolours and oils.

Plas Newydd's is also looking to put on an exhibition on the history of the Rotary Garden Fete held there this year on June 3.  Organisers are looking for photos and stories by Wednesday May 24.

* For details, call 01978  862834, or email: plasnewydd@denbighshire.gov.uk as soon as possible.