Preparations steam ahead for railway's re-opening

* The big diesel was out in a test run and was seen passing Berwyn.

Preparations are in hand for a resumption of train services on the heritage railway in the Dee Valley as of Saturday, August 1.

During week commencing July 27,the Llangollen Railway staff and volunteers have ramped up their efforts to start running trains again within the Covid 19 restrictions as required by the Welsh Government. 

This has involved the preparation of train sets and the stations at Llangollen and Carrog to handle passenger numbers to allow for social distancing needs.

In addition, all operational staff, drivers, guards, signalmen and station staff, have needed to be familiarised with the arrangements in place to deal with the coronavirus at stations and on trains for the appropriate spacing, the cleansing procedures and facilities.

After the four-month lockdown period, all operational staff have been required to renew their competency with their role by re-examination and assessment of the task they undertake.

This need is specified in the procedures for heritage railways to follow in the document as issued by the Office for Railand Road.

It has required a good deal of planning by the Operations Director and Operational Manager to ensure the implementation of the new procedures.

Test trains have operated this week to allow for the railway’s operational systems to be checked out and staff to be re-introduced to working the trains which will run non-stop between Llangollen and Carrog. 

Initially the heritage diesel railcar units ran down the line, followed by the traditional set of coaches with a Class 31 diesel in charge, seen today passing Berwyn as per the photo.

The reintroduction of a steam locomotive will follow as patronage builds up and the timetable is enhanced.

Both Llangollen and Carrog stations will be closed stations during this implementation period and non-ticket holders will not be allowed access to platforms whilst social distancing is in force. 

Those who wish to see the train must do so from the public road. Passengers must join the train at Llangollen and stay within the station at Carrog where refreshments will be available during the stop-over before making a return.

General Manager, Liz McGuinness said: “Initially, we will be running three trains a day departing Llangollen at 1040, 1300 and 1510 and advance booking is necessary. The spacing requirements for individuals and family groups means that seating will be allocated after an on-line booking is made to make best use of available seats. 

"Family groups may wish to make use of the compartments for exclusive travel during their journey.

“Bookings to date are encouraging from our supporters eager to have a ride again on the Llangollen Railway and a great way to see the Dee Valley in summertime. However, running the trains at a profit in thesecircumstances will be a challenge and we ask foreveryone interested to support the railwayto make all the effort worthwhile.”

* Further details about booking seats and timetableare available on the webpages at: www.llangollen-railway.co.uk

Skates backs campaign for free TV licences for over-75s

Clwyd South MS Ken Skates (pictured) is backing a campaign which calls on the UK Government not to break its promise over TV licences for over-75s.  

The National Pensioners Convention Wales wants Prime Minister Boris Johnson to honour his pledge in November that no elderly person would have to pay for their TV licence and is supporting Age Cymru’s petition to Westminster.  

Mr Skates said: “The UK Government said that it was crucial to retain the free TV licence for all over-75s and that it would sit down with the BBC to find a solution. All we have seen and heard is the BBC and the Conservative Government blaming each other.  

“As the Government said on July 9, it was wrong to implement the BBC’s decision to only give free TV licences to those on Pension Credit. The BBC has delayed the licence fee changes until next month, but all the Government has done is to describe it as ‘the wrong decision’ and refused to intervene.  

“It's not the job of the BBC to administer means-tested benefits on behalf of the Conservative Government. Free TV licences were introduced by the Labour Party in 20 years ago and should be retained for over-75s as a universal entitlement.”  

NPC Wales says the UK Government has ‘abdicated its responsibility and duty of care to the most vulnerable group in society’.  

Mr Skates added: “The UK Government needs to engage with the BBC to work out how to support people whose only companion and lifeline might be their TV. Maintaining free TV licences for over-75s was a 2017 Conservative Party manifesto commitment and as it stands 3.7m older people in the UK are now going to be punished by this broken promise.”  

Saturday morning waste service at Pavilion is back next month

* The Pavilion car park where the service will be re-introduced from next month.

The Saturday morning waste recycling service for Llangollen people at the Pavilion car park is coming back from mid-August, according to one of the area's county councillors.

The service was halted at the start of lockdown as the county council said its staff would have been put at risk of continuing with the operation.

For many weeks since local people have had to take their bulk waste to the recycling centre at Ruthin instead, which led to heavy criticism of the council and calls for the service's swift return.

This morning, County Councillor Graham Timms said: "My fellow Llangollen councillor Melvyn Mile and I have been putting continuous pressure on the county recycling service since its withdrawal in late March.

"We wrote to the head of service in Denbighshire yet again on Monday to ask for another urgent review and decision was made yesterday afternoon to re-introduce the service from mid-August.

"We do yet know the exact date as there a few details to work out but people will be notified.

"There will obviously have to be social distancing observed when the service comes back.

"We are very pleased that it is coming back after so long." 

Pancake land near castle bought as "protection for future"

* Land beside Castell Dias Bran has been bought to protect it for the

future, says the county council.

Land leading up to one of the Dee Valley’s most iconic features from Llangollen has been bought to protect it for future generations, according to Denbighshire County Council.

The council owns the freehold to Castell Dinas Bran, which includes the summit where it located and it amounts to around five acres.

Now, a partnership involving the council, Natural Resources Wales and Llangollen Town Council have purchased 36 acres of land on the western approaches to the castle locally known as the Pancake. 

The purchase price of the land is £70,000, the council as said. This has been split between the three organisation with the county thought to have contributed the largest share. 

Discussions were led by Howard Sutcliffe, the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB Officer and Ranger Service Manager.

The castle,  which is a Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM), is one of the most important landmarks in the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

It provides stunning views over the Dee Valley and over 30,000 visitors climb up to the castle each year.

The castle itself was purchased by the former Clwyd County Council in the late 1980s and Denbighshire County Council invested about £120,000 in reconsolidation work in the early 2010s.

Three years ago Natural Resources Wales designated all of the surrounding grasslands to the castle a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Two years ago the land was put on to the open market and funding was secured by the three-way partnership towards the purchase.

Councillor Tony Thomas, Cabinet Lead Member for Housing and Communities and Chair of the Joint Committee for the AONB said: “Dinas Bran is such an iconic location and enjoyed by thousands of visitors year after year.  It is a major attraction in the Dee Valley and contributes towards the success of the visitor economy in the region.

“Opportunities like this to purchase the land are extremely rare, it was a great chance for the council to work towards buying the land, with the aim of protecting the land and allowing access to the castle for future generations to enjoy.

“We were delighted that Natural Resources Wales and Llangollen Town Council were on board with funding and shared our vision to protect and conserve this jewel in the AONB and the Dee Valley’s tourism and heritage crown.”

Richard May, Natural Resources Wales Conservation Officer said: “We look forward to working with our partners at the AONB to manage the site’s special features ensuring that we and future generations continue to enjoy Dinas Brân’s rich natural and historical heritage.

“The grasslands found here are very special and Dinas Brân has the second largest area in Wales of one of these important habitats.

“The SSSI also holds rare plants and important species of birds and butterflies that rely on the grassland and other habitats.”

Gareth Thomas, Clerk of Llangollen Town Council, said: “Llangollen Town Council are pleased that their involvement in this project has secured the purchase of this significant area of grassland.

“Through the foresight of former town councillor Karen Edwards, the Town Council was alerted of the potential to purchase this parcel of land.

“Fellow Town Councillors were more than happy to support her, and the effort of other partners, to bring this site into public ownership to safeguard, not only the land, but also the Castle against any future uses which could adversely affect these valuable historic and natural assets.”

In a joint statement Llangollen’s two county councillors, Graham Timms and Melvyn Mile, said: “We are both delighted that the purchase of this land has now been completed as we have been supporting this initiative from the beginning.

“Bringing this land into public ownership will support our Countryside Service team to continue to manage the area around the castle effectively as well as preserving its long term security for future generations.”

Former town councillor Karen Edwards said: “I’ve lived in the Llangollen area for most of my life and have always been passionate about the natural and historic environment here. 

“During my period as a town councillor I recognised the importance of the site forming part of the hill slopes leading to Castell Dinas Bran which was actively being advertised for sale. 

“I felt strongly that the site was too valuable to fall into private hands and that the best course of action was to attempt to bring it into public ownership in order to safeguard it for the future. 

“I entered into successful negotiations with the vendors who agreed to have the land held in abeyance in order for the partners to have the time to explore possible sources of funding.

“After I resigned as a town councillor I continued to work closely with the Howard Sutcliffe of the AONB and Gareth Thomas, the Town Clerk, as my passion  for this project had not diminished.  

“I am delighted that all the effort and those of my colleagues has finally come to fruition and that the land is now secured in the public sector for everyone’s continued enjoyment.”

Plan to give teachers pay rise unveiled

Education Minister Kirsty Williams (pictured) has today (Wednesday, July 29) set out her proposals for teacher pay in Wales.

The proposals follow the publication of the Independent Welsh Pay Review Body (IWPRB) report.

The Minister has accepted in principle all of the report’s main recommendations and has also proposed further enhancements to ensure teachers in Wales receive the same increase as those in England.

The proposals would see:

• starting salaries for new teachers increased by 8.48%.
• a 3.1% overall increase for the teachers’ pay bill in Wales
• a 3.75% pay rise for teachers on the Main Pay Scale
• an end to performance-related pay progression
• the reintroduction of national pay scales.

This is the second year the Education Minister has received advice on teacher pay from the IWPRB.

Education Minister Kirsty Williams said: ““These proposed changes will help enable the development of a distinct national system that is fairer and more transparent for all teachers in Wales.

“This is only the second year since these powers were devolved and it is already clear that the approach here in Wales is developing very differently to that adopted previously. 

“A number of important issues have also been addressed, including the introduction of experience based pay progression and national statutory pay scales; both improvements that the workforce have been calling for.

The Minister has also proposed a 2.75% pay raise for head teachers, deputy and assistant heads, unqualified teachers and leading practitioners, as well as teacher allowances - all greater than the 2.5% recommended by IWPRB.

Building upon the steps taken last year to encourage recruitment of new teachers, the proposed starting salary for new teachers increases to over £27,000 pa, teachers on the Main Pay Range receive at least a 3.75% rise and teachers on the Upper Pay Scale receive at least a 2.75% rise.

A new statutory five point pay scale would also be introduced, so new teachers would advance to the maximum of the Main Pay Range in four years – a year quicker than has previously been the case.

The Minister said: "I would like to reemphasise our determination to promote teaching as a profession of choice for graduates and career changers.

“I believe these changes to pay and conditions will continue to attract high quality teachers to the profession in Wales.”

An eight week consultation with stakeholders will now begin, before the final pay deal is agreed.

Today’s announcement is in response to the report of the Teachers’ Pay Review Body.

The Welsh Government has a long standing commitment to pay parity and a further announcement will be made in respect of Further Education in due course.

Two-hour free parking in county's town centres until end of the year

Denbighshire County Council is offering two hours free parking in six of its town centre car parks, including Llangollen, until the end of the year.

The offer, which will come into effect on Monday, August 3 at 9am, will be available at East Street Car Park, Llangollen; Vale Street Car Park, Denbigh; King’s Avenue Car Park, Prestatyn; Town Hall (Water Street) Car Park, Rhyl; Market Street Car Park, Ruthin and Bowling Green Car Park, St Asaph.

The aim is to encourage residents and visitors to use town centres and support businesses.

The two-hour free stays will run until December 31, 2020.

The council had previously offered free parking in its town centre car parks from March. That arrangement remains in place until 8am on Monday, 3 August – when it will be replaced by this new arrangement. 

Cllr Brian Jones, the Council’s Lead Member for Waste, Transport and the Environment, said: “We know it has been a difficult time for businesses and we have been offering free parking in town centres since March to assist key workers and volunteers and to support businesses.

“We are now offering two hours free parking in these car parks until the end of the year to encourage residents and visitors to come and shop and spend their money locally. 

"Having a maximum two hour stay will ensure a good turnover of spaces, increasing the availability of spaces for shoppers and visitors arriving later in the day.”

The offer is available after 9am and cars displaying a valid blue badge will be able to park for two-and-a-half hours for free.

Cllr Hugh Evans OBE, Leader of Denbighshire County Council and Lead Member for the Economy, said: “As a council we are doing all we can to support our businesses during these very difficult times and this is one of the ways we are helping town centres recover. 

"We have been working closely with traders and will continue to do so during the recovery phase and shoppers can take advantage of this offer to support the fantastic local businesses we have here in Denbighshire.”

In Prestatyn, both Nant Hall Road and Fern Avenue car parks continue to be free for four hours, supported by Prestatyn Town Council; while the Pavilion and Bridge Street car parks in Corwen as well as Vicarage Lane, Rhuddlan and Community Centre, Meliden remain free all year round.

Bodelwyddan (Church View) and Dyserth (Thomas Avenue) each have a free public car park which are managed in the local community and not by Denbighshire County Council.

Charges have now been re-introduced at all other car parks in the county and you can find more information at www.denbighshire.gov.uk/car-park

Government launches £40m skills and jobs fund

The Welsh Government today pledged to support everyone to find work, education or training or help to start their own business as it launched a £40m skills and jobs fund.

The fund is part of a longer-term plan to help Wales recover from coronavirus; to build back better and ensure no one is left behind. Today’s announcement builds on a £50m package for skills and learning targeted towards higher and further education unveiled by Education Minister Kirsty Williams last week. At the heart of the new funding is a pledge that everyone over 16 will receive the assistance they need to access advice and support to find work or to pursue self-employment or to find and take up a place in education or training. More support for apprenticeships will be available, together with traineeships, redundancy assistance, retraining programmes and careers advice – all will be crucial in helping to address an expected rise in unemployment and the risk of deepening economic inequality caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Finance Minister and Trefnydd, Rebecca Evans said: “Coronavirus threatens to severely affect all the progress we’ve made in reducing unemployment and economic inactivity in Wales over the last decade. “This £40m investment in jobs and skills will be vital in helping soften the impact of the pandemic and will be key to driving our economic recovery." The Welsh Government’s Employability and Skills support will help employers to take on new workers, with incentives for recruiting apprentices and young people. It will also help adults overcome barriers in both maintaining and gaining work with a focus on Wales’ growth sectors. The plan includes an emphasis on achieving better outcomes for people who will be affected most by the economic downturn, including disabled people, people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, women, and those with low skills and on low wages. The £40m package will provide: More than £20m to incentivise employers to recruit and retain 5,000 apprentices, increase the capacity of traineeship programmes and support more graduates to access work experience, work tasters and paid work placements. Almost £9m to help workers access retraining and find new employment, including in areas of skills demand, through ReACT and the Union Learning Fund. This includes the national roll-out of the personal learning accounts programme so an additional 2,000 people can learn new skills and gain new qualifications. Funding for traineeships, Working Wales and Communities for Work Plus will be increased to help match people to job opportunities and promote self-employment and new ways of working, as well as funding to support employer-led training through the Flexible Skills programme. There will be support for a new Barriers Fund, offering up to £2,000 to support people who may not have previously considered self-employment, in particular women, young people, people from BAME communities and disabled people. Economy Minister, Ken Skates said: “We have already provided Welsh business with the most generous package of support in the UK, which has been crucial in helping them through the crisis. “Today’s announcement goes a step further and supports our workforce. This £40m package will help incentivise employers to take on and train new workers, including apprentices and young people. It will also help employers to retain and reskill the existing workforce and support individuals looking for work to secure employment or start up their own businesses. “We are doing everything we can to drive our economic recovery. I now call on our employers to take advantage of the incentives we’re putting in place and play their part in providing quality job and training opportunities right across Wales.”