Snow update from county

The county council has this morning issued the following snow update:

The following roads are closed: 

·         A5104 Corwen to Llandegla

·         B4401 Corwen to Llandrillo

·         Horseshoe Pass 

·         Road  across the Denbigh Moors between Bylchau and Pentrefoelas. 

All main primary routes are passable with extreme care needed.

We would advise that people should only travel if absolutely necessary and if they do need to travel, they should consider delaying their journey, so that everyone is not travelling the same time this morning.

Due to the challenging conditions, our primary focus was on keeping the main A and B routes open as much as possible overnight.

Buses make return in spring timetable

Reinstated services in South Denbighshire will feature in this Spring’s bus timetable changes, following an autumn public consultation and recent tendering.

On March 11 the County Council is restoring some services lost in July 2016.

Reinstated are more evening services on the X51 between Denbigh, Ruthin & Wrexham, between Llangollen & Wrexham as service 5, and as 51/X51 between Ruthin, Denbigh & Rhyl.

Also reinstated are Sunday services south of Denbigh to Ruthin & Wrexham. This area has been without Sunday buses for 18 months.

Weekday daytime services between Rhyl, Denbigh, Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Ruthin, Ysbyty Maelor and Wrexham continue broadly unchanged. These buses usually offer free Wi-Fi for passengers.

Retained at broadly the same level are services between Ruthin and Mold as 1, X1 and 2. The popular return journeys to and from Chester continue and this proved to be a significant feature of the recent public consultation. The operator will become M & H Coaches.

The County Council has guaranteed day tickets will remain at Stagecoach’s lower-then-average levels for at least the remainder of 2018. Later this year, M & H will be investing in brand new buses for the 1/X1/2.

These new vehicles will feature free on-board Wi-Fi for passengers. They will be the first brand new buses in Ruthin since 2009 and they will help to displace an otherwise ageing fleet, offering new standards for passengers, lower emissions and better reliability.

There will be an improvement to the afternoon service between Denbigh and Henllan on the 66. A suit of changes for Bodfari, Tremeirchion, Rhuallt and Cwm sees some journeys on some days operate via Henllan for Prestatyn & Rhyl.

M & H continues with the 76, although there will be some changes to the timetable, especially at the Graigfechan end, where consultees wished for a more appropriate time in Ruthin.

The 55 and X5 between Ruthin, Corwen, Llangollen and Wrexham sees timetable changes to improve connections at Corwen and already a new operator, Coastline of Rhyl.

There are minor changes to services for villages between Ruthin and Corwen such as Betws Gwerfil Goch, Cyffylliog and Clawddnewydd. The new operator for these is Llew Jones Coaches. These services will restore low floor easy access buses rather than the step entrance minibuses in use for the last 18 months.

Brian Jones, Lead Member for Highways, Planning & Sustainable Transport, said: “The changes we have made are as a result of the bus service consultation that highlighted a number of areas where the Council could improve bus services for passengers and communities. I would urge passengers to support these changes so that they become as sustainable as possible."

Printed public timetables will be available from March 5th, 2018 at libraries and County Council offices. They are currently available online at www.denbighshire.gov.uk/travel.

All three schools closed today

According to the county council's website, all three Llangollen schools - Ysgol Dinas Bran, Ysgol Bryn Collen and Ysgol Gymraeg y Gwernant - will remain closed until Monday due to the weather. 

Weather latest from the county council

Here’s the latest position with the snow in Denbighshire issued by the county council.

Roads

Gritting teams have been out and about overnight and continue to be out this morning treating the county’s roads.  The majority of the major road network is open, but the A542 Horseshoe Pass between Llandegla and Llangollen is closed.

Schools

The following schools are closed for the day.

·         Carrog

·         Caer Drewyn (Corwen)

·         Bro Elwern (Gwyddelwern)

·         Betws GG

·         Llanfair DC

·         Dyffryn Ial (Llandegla)

·         Bryn Collen (Llangollen)

·         Y Gwernant (Llangollen)

·         Dinas Bran (Llangollen)

·         Brynhyfryd (Ruthin)

·         Carreg Emlyn

·         Ysgol Bro Dyfrdwy

Public Transport

It seems there are no issues general regarding public transport at this moment in time.  The only change is to the number 91 Uwch y Dre to Llangollen service. The service is running but will not operate through Melin y Wig and Betws GG.

Refuse and recycling collections

Waste collections are continuing in Llangollen, Eryrys, Llandegla and Llanarmon-yn-Iâl . It is expected around three quarters of the 4,000 properties due for collection will have their waste collected today. Collections are proving difficult in isolated and higher lying areas due to icy conditions. Residents are advised that catch-up collections are due to take place on Monday and Tuesday. Householders can leave their bins out until then or put them back out for Monday. 

Be a good neighbour in severe weather, says county

With another spell of severe weather on the way, Denbighshire Social Services is urging people to be a good neighbour and keep an eye on the elderly and vulnerable.

The current freezing spell continues, with heavy snow forecast for Thursday night into Friday and an amber alert issued by the Met Office.

The council is now asking people to help protect the vulnerable.

Councillor Bobby Feeley, Cabinet Lead Member for Well-being and Independence, said: “We are asking people to take care of our most vulnerable by keeping an eye on them and making sure they are safe and well.

“If people have neighbours, friends or relatives that are unwell, they are encouraged to visit,  making sure they have everything they need and to offer with any daily tasks such as shopping. It is also important to check they are eating properly and keeping their property warm.

“You may be the only visitor they will have so it is a question of being kind and considerate. The severe weather is getting closer and is likely to last for another two to three days, so we want to make sure people do not feel vulnerable or isolated.

“Showing care and compassion towards the elderly or vulnerable will really make a difference to their quality of life."

* If you have any concerns about a vulnerable person, please call the Single Point of Access, on  0300 456 1000, or for out of hours, the Emergency Duty Team, on 0345 0533116. 

Ysgol Dinas Bran closed due to weather

According to the county council website, Ysgol Dinas Bran is closed today (Thursday) due to the weather.

Ysgol Bryn Collen is also now closed because of the weather, says the council's website.

New film highlights best of North Wales

A new film showcasing the North East Wales region has been released today (1 March) as part of Visit Wales’ Year of the Sea campaign.

Denbighshire, Wrexham and Flintshire have joined forces to produce the film to inspire new visitors to experience North East Wales’ Routes to the Sea.

Funded by Visit Wales’ Regional Tourism Engagement Fund, the film explores the region’s visitor offer from inland to the coast; highlighting the cycle routes, coastal path, heritage, and beaches as well as activities including paragliding and horse riding in Talacre.

The variety of outdoor water based experiences available in the area are also featured including sailing, fishing, sea swimming, stand up paddle boarding and water skiing.

Tourism plays a vital part in the regions’ economy, with a total economic impact in 2016 of £848m and over 11 million visits made.

Tourism Minister, Lord Elis-Thomas, said: “In 2018 we’re celebrating Wales’ outstanding coastline, and inviting visitors to discover new epic experiences all around our shores, with special events and attractions throughout the year. I’m delighted that Visit Wales funding has enabled the North East to work together in order to strengthen awareness and showcase some of the area’s inspiring journeys to the coast this year.”

Ian Lebbon, Chair of Denbighshire Destination Partnership said: “Thank you to everyone who contributed to the making of the film, we hope it will inspire visitors to experience some of our water based and coastal activities. Key investments in our coastal resorts, such as the developments in Rhyl, will help increase awareness and visitor footfall to the region and create jobs that will boost the local economy.”

This film is the start of a series of new mini films which will be released throughout the year, featuring different themes including walking, cycling, wildlife, heritage, food & drink, beaches, as well as outdoor water activities.

A series of blogs and Year of the Sea professional images will also be released to help draw new and repeat visits to the region.

Follow Films Co-Founder Graham Cooper, who produced the films, said: “This has been a fantastic project to work on over the past few months, I’ve lived in North East Wales all my life, but working on projects like this reminds me how lucky we are to live in this area. I find so many new, amazing activities whilst producing films like this, and the passion businesses have for North East Wales is great to see.”

* To view the film and for further information on the places and activities featured in the film, please visit www.northeastwales.wales