Councillor gives more details on Active Travel plans approved yesterday

* The county council's plan for changes to be made in the town centre.

Local county councillor Graham Timms has given more details about the Active Travel plans approved yesterday by Denbighshire to allow social distancing in Llangollen town centre.

The council had successfully bid for Welsh Government funds to introduce local sustainable transport measures in response to covid-19. 

The funding will be used to promote walking and cycling, to facilitate social distancing measures, to encourage businesses to expand their offer outside their premises and to support residents and visitors to feel safe in four of the county's town centres.

Following consultation, the proposals for Llangollen have now been given the go-ahead, as revealed yesterday evening by llanblogger.

Giving further details of what will happen, Cllr Timms said this will mean:

The creation of more space for social distancing by widening the pavements along Castle Street and on Abbey Road at the junction with Castle Street by the removal of parking and the use of ‘lane defenders’ to create safe areas for pedestrians and cyclists.

Additional proposals include:

*          Creating a ‘one-way’ street on the first section of Market Street as it leaves Market Street. The one-way section would only allow traffic to enter Market Street from Castle Street.Vehicles wishing to enter Castle Street from Market Street will follow the route via East Street and Parade Street. 

       This, said Cllr Timms, change will relieve congestion on Castle Street and the ‘one way’ section of Market Street will also allow the creation of a loading bay to serve nearby businesses on Castle Street. 

•          The closure of the link road between Hall Street and Berwyn Street (A5)

•          Reversing the direction of flow of vehicles on Church Street

•          Support cafes, pubs and restaurants to introduce outside seating will make the town centre more welcoming

       

       The changes will be made by a temporary traffic order for up to 18 months and the effect of the changes will be closely monitored by the council as they are introduced.

Cllr Timms said: "The results of the formal consultation showed huge support for the introduction of these measures. 

"It has been clear to residents over the last few weeks that social distancing in the town has been almost impossible to achieve. 

"The narrow pavements and the huge increase in the number of visitors since the lockdown ended has created a very difficult situation. Many residents have avoided the town centre because they do not feel safe on crowded streets in the middle of the day.

“Both Cllr Melvyn Mile and I were strongly in favour of the introduction of these measures. We believe that they are essential to enable residents and visitors to feel safe in the town centre.

“It is encouraging to see that visitors are keen to return to Llangollen, But it is also vital that we do everything we can to make the town as safe as possible for everyone; residents and visitors alike.

“Denbighshire’s formal consultation through the County Conversation website gave a huge ‘thumbs-up’ for the proposals with nearly 83% of those that responded‘strongly agreeing’ and a further 12% ‘somewhat agreeing’ with the proposals. Only 5% of the replies were negative."

He added: “Over the last few weeks queueing outside small shops has been a problem, leaving no space for those walking down the street to keep their distance. It will be much easier to maintain social distancing in the town when wider pavements are created.

“The reversal of the one-way traffic flow on Church Street should result in a significant change in the number of vehicles using this route as a 'short cut', particularly at the times just before and just after the school day. This will lead to a much safer route to school for children and their parents who walk and cycle to and from school along this very narrow road.

“The closure of the road between Berwyn Street and Hall Street that passes between Stan’s garage and the M’eating Place will help to make this area safer for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.

“Some businesses expressed their concerns over the loss of ‘pop and shop’ parking and the lack of loading bays by signing a ‘template’ letter which was sent to the council separately. I believe that it is important to address these important concerns.

"The ‘loading bay’ issue has been addressed by providing a bay on the Market Street and Castle Street junction. On the provision of short stay parking, Mel Mile and I have been pressing the council to give free parking in all car parks for 30 minutes to allow ‘pop and shop’ visits for those on the outskirts of the town. 

"The county responded with two hours free parking in East Street Car Park. Other towns in Denbighshire will also get a similar concessions. 

"We don’t think that this meets the needs of Llangollen and so we will continue to press the case for a ‘free half-hour’ in all our car parks to encourage local shopping in the town centre.

“It is vitally important that local residents and businesses pull together to create a town centre that is vibrant and safe for everyone in these very difficult times."

Active travel plans for Llangollen approved by county council

Denbighshire County Council has announced its decision on proposed active travel plans for Llangollen, Ruthin, Denbigh and Rhyl.

The council had successfully bid for Welsh Government funds to introduce local sustainable transport measures in response to covid-19 in the four town centres. 

The funding would be used to promote walking and cycling, to facilitate social distancing measures, to encourage businesses to expand their offer outside their premises and to support residents and visitors to feel safe.

Following consultation, the proposals for Llangollen and Ruthin have been approved. 

The plans for Llangollen involve widening pavements for shared pedestrian/cyclist use along designated streets.

The Rhyl proposal has been approved in principle, but there will be alterations to certain aspects of the scheme.  

These alterations will be circulated to all relevant stakeholders before proceeding with the final project implementation. 

The original proposals for Denbigh have been withdrawn after extensive feedback was received from the public.  

The council will go back to the drawing board and consider whether there are alternative options for Denbigh to help facilitate social distancing whilst encouraging walking and cycling.

The plans for Ruthin included the introduction of one-way roads for traffic on Market Street and Well Street.

The proposals for Rhyl involve improving shared space for pedestrians and cyclists in key areas of Rhyl between the railway station and the National Cycling Route along the promenade.  

This also reflects the commitment in the Rhyl Masterplan to enhance sustainable active travel in the town.

The original proposals for Denbigh included a one-way system on Vale Street, High Street and Bridge Street; improved areas for pedestrians and cyclists; the closure to vehicles of the northern side of High Street.and a temporary 20mph speed limits would have been introduced on some town roads. 

The plans were refused due to concerns raised by business owners and residents about the scale of the proposals.

The council will draw up new proposals for Denbigh and will be engaging with the local community in due course.

Councillor Brian Jones, Cabinet Lead Member for Highways, Transport and the Environment, said: “We would like to thank members of the public for getting involved in the consultations. Representations were received via an online survey, emails, written letters, telephone calls, e-petitions and through social media.

“Active travel has become a more prominent issue in recent times, with covid-19 allowing people the opportunity to walk more or to get on bikes as a means of getting out and about. The funding made available was to be used to promote active travel and allowing councils to introduce measures that would help protect people’s safety through social distancing, we well as  encouraging more people to visit our town centre businesses.

“We fully recognise the quick turnaround but we were only given a short amount of notice to apply for the Welsh Government funding and we needed to get our plans drawn up and submitted very quickly, to make sure our communities did not miss out on the funding.

“We had community engagement plans planned and agreed to carry out a consultation on the proposals. 

"There was generally strong support for the plans for Llangollen, Ruthin and Rhyl and we were happy to support these proposals going forward and will now plan to implement the measures.   Further details will be announced in due course and the work will be monitored on a regular basis.

“However, in Denbigh there were significant number of people objecting to the original proposals put forward. We have considered people’s responses at great length and we have listened to their views. Clearly there was no appetite from the local community to move forward with the plans, so the Denbigh plans will not go ahead as they stand." 

Have your say on proposed changes to busy A483 junctions

* Changes are proposed to junctions on the busy A483.

Transport and North Wales Minister Ken Skates is encouraging people to look at the preferred options for changes along the A483 in Wrexham and to have their say on these important proposals. 

The A483 is one of the key connecting routes between North and South Wales, and between North Wales and the Midlands. It is an important route for tourists travelling to the region, and for freight travelling from Europe, UK and Ireland.

It is acknowledhed changes need to be introduced to address congestion at the junctions along the A483 and the impact this is having on the economy of Wrexham and wider North Wales region.

These proposals are part of a programme of pinch point schemes included in the Welsh Government – National Transport Finance Plan and the Moving North Wales Forward document which aims to create a reliable and efficient transport network across the region and across the Wales-England border.

The A483 proposals are key measures within this vision and will play an important role in supporting the success of North Wales in the future.

Options developed for this exhibition have been through the Welsh Government’s Transport Appraisal Guidance (WelTAG) process which has been produced in compliance with the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act. They have included detailed considerations of transport modes, the environment, road safety, air quality, and traffic modelling.

Public exhibitions, complying with covid-19 regulations, will be held at the Ramada Hotel, Wrexham on September 23-24 September.  

Full details on the preferred options and the consultation are available online https://gov.wales/a483-junctions-3-6-improvements

The preferred option for each junction is:

* Junction 3 (Wrexham Road): Minor changes to the existing junction incorporating active travel improvements

* Ruthin Road: Major changes to the existing junction, including a new gyratory retaining the existing A525 overbridge, incorporating active travel improvements along the A525 across the A483.

* Junction 5 (Plas Coch Roundabout / Mold Road): Introducing active travel improvements

* Junction 6 (A5156 / Gresford Interchange): Minor changes to the existing junction incorporating active travel improvements

Transport and North Wales Minister Ken Skates said: “Action needs to be taken on this stretch of the A483. Left as it is the situation will hinder the growth of Wrexham and the North Wales region as a whole.

“Following a thorough assessment process I’m pleased that we are now able to publish the preferred options for the four junctions.  As a result of this scheme we plan to achieve more opportunities for active travel, better public transport links, improved traffic flow leading to improved air quality. 

“I would urge everyone who uses the A483 in the Wrexham area to have their say on these plans which are vital to the region.”

Cllr David A Bithell, Wrexham's Lead Member for the Environment and Transport, said: “The A483 is a vital part of the road network in Wrexham and the wider North Wales area. It’s important that improvements take place to ease congestion and benefit the area. They will also improve Active Travel routes in the area. Please take the time to take part and let the Welsh Government have your views."

The consultation will run until 22 November with an announcement on the preferred options expected in Spring 2021.  

Subject to the statutory processes draft orders could be published later in 2021 with detailed design work taking place in 2022.

County honoured for its work with the homeless

The Minister for Housing and Local Government has announced the first scheme in Wales to be awarded Housing First Wales Accreditation for its work on homelessness.

Conwy and Denbighshire Housing First received the accreditation from the Minister during a web event hosted by Cymorth Cymru. 

The Housing First project works across two counties, Conwy County and Denbighshire County Council, which operate in partnership to deliver the right support to people who need it, wherever they happen to be.

The internationally acclaimed Housing First model, praised for its effectiveness, has become a focus of Welsh Government homelessness policy over the past few years, with ‘trailblazer’ funding leading to the establishment of several Housing First schemes across Wales.

Housing First is a recovery-oriented approach that moves people experiencing homelessness into independent, permanent housing as quickly as possible – rather than waiting for them to be ‘housing ready’. Choice and control, as well as strengths based, multi-agency support is key.

Aimed at people who have been sleeping rough with complex or co-occurring mental health and substance misuse issues, international evidence suggests that 80% of people maintain their tenancies.

Central to the success of the model is maintaining fidelity to the Housing First principles, which have been developed internationally and adapted specifically for the Welsh context.

As a result, Cymorth Cymru, which runs the Housing First Network in Wales, has developed the UK’s first accreditation process. Funded by the Welsh Government, this consists of a robust, in-depth process, including a thorough review of the scheme’s policies and interviews with staff, Housing First tenants and other stakeholders. The findings are considered by a panel of independent experts who decide whether to award the accreditation.

Julie James MS, Minister for Housing and Local Government, said: "The coronavirus has reminded us all of the fundamental importance of good-quality affordable housing, a safe and secure home. Housing First is an effective way to support individuals with the most complex needs into long term, sustainable housing.

"I congratulate Conwy and Denbighshire Housing First, who have worked tremendously hard to develop and deliver a Housing First project that adheres to every key principle. My thanks also go to the Network and Cymorth for developing an accreditation mechanism. It will be an invaluable tool to help maintain standards and fidelity to the Housing First model during this uncertain period.”

Katie Dalton, Director of Cymorth Cymru said: "Housing First is critical to our ambitions to end homelessness in Wales and we have been heartened to see the development of several schemes across Wales. International evidence illustrates the effectiveness of this model, but we know that its success is dependent on adherence to the principles. 

"We’re really proud to have developed this accreditation process with partners in the Housing First Wales Network and delighted to announce that the Conwy and Denbighshire Housing First scheme is the first to receive it. We look forward to supporting more organisations through the accreditation this year.”

Cllr Bobby Feeley, Denbighshire County Council’s lead member for Well-being and Independence, said: “I’d like to congratulate the team for all their hard work in being recognised with Housing First Welsh Government accreditation.

“Housing First houses people experiencing homelessness with high needs in their own, settled homes as quickly as possible and provides the support they need, at their own pace, for as long as they need it, to sustain their tenancy.

“Providing additional support to those residents who are experiencing long-term homelessness is making a real difference in our communities.”

Social care leader welcomes indoor care home visits return

* Mary Wimbury, chief executive of Care Forum Wales. 

A social care leader has given a “cautious” welcome to news that indoor care home visits are being allowed again in Llangollen from August 29.

But Mary Wimbury, chief executive of Care Forum Wales which represents nearly 500 providers, stressed the need for the visits to be properly “risk assessed” so that they are done safely in a way that did not place residents, families or staff at risk.

Back in March Care Forum Wales urged care homes to lock down – well ahead of the Welsh Government advice to do so.

At the same time they launched a campaign to “Shield Social Care and Save Lives”, calling for sufficient supplies of PPE, a comprehensive testing regime an financial support to help the sector survive the economic storms caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

In announcing the decision to allow indoor care home visits again across Wales, First Minister Mark Drakeford said there would be “strict” rules for the visits which would be set out in guidance and that the public shouldn’t  move away from the cautious approach taken so far.

Ms Wimbury said: “Care Forum Wales was ahead of the curve back in March when we called for care homes to be locked down so we could shield social care and save lives which in the event proved to be a wise decision.

“As the situation has improved, many care homes have facilitated socially distanced visits in outside areas to reunite residents and their families and there have been some deeply touching moments across Wales.

“However, we recognise that meeting outside is not always practical, particularly when the weather is not good.

“Enabling indoor visits can be important for the mental health and well-being of residents and their loved ones but it vitally important this is done safely.

“We cautiously welcome this opportunity to provide additional support to care home residents through risk-assessed indoor visits by professionals, family and friends. “We are pleased we are being consulted by the Welsh Government on the guidance around when such visits might be permissible and appropriate.”

In his announcement Prof Drakeford added: "While coronavirus remains effectively suppressed in Wales and cases continue to fall, the situation in the rest of the UK and further afield is still problematic.

"We cannot think that we are immune from everything elsewhere. So while things remain benign in Wales, I want us to go on being careful, being cautious, doing things one step at a time, so that we can try and sustain our positive position for as long as we can.”

Charlie set to lose his long locks in aid of a good cause

* Charlie holds up his two-year-old ponytail.

* Before he started growing his hair.

* Ready for the big haircut on Saturday. 

A Llangollen boy who has spent the past two years without having a single haircut will finally be sitting in the barber’s chair on Saturday.

And he is hoping to raise funds for the Little Princess Trust Charity through his shorn locks.

Nine-year-old Ysgol Bryn Collen pupil Charlie Jones has been growing his hair since he saw a documentary on TV about children living with cancer back in September 2018. 

Many of the children in the programme had lost their hair due to the effects of their treatment and after discussing this further with his mum Charlie decided to do something to help.

“I saw the children on the telly and some of them were sad because they were bald. Mum told me that this was a side-effect of the treatment they were having and it just made me feel really sorry for them," said Charlie.

So he took to the internet to learn more about how cancer treatment can cause hair loss and discovered the Little Princess Trust, a charity that manufactures and supplies custom-made wigs for children who have lost their hair through cancer treatment and other causes. 

Their wigs are made from real hair donations that are sent in from people wanting to help.
Charlie’s mum Vicky said that as soon as Charlie learned of the Little Princess Trust he immediately knew that he wanted to donate to them and help children like those he’d seen on TV.

Vicky said: “He was so insistent that he wanted to grow his hair – initially for one year - that there was no stopping him.

"I think it’s really nice that he wanted to help other children in this way and although he may have looked a little scruffy at times all of his family and friends have been right behind him.

“He got to one year without a haircut and decided he wanted to go for another year so he could give more hair in one go and now two years on I think he’s actually looking forward to having it cut at last.”

Charlie has been busy gaining sponsors for his hair-growing challenge and a Just Giving page has been set up to enable further donations to be made as he bids to not only donate his hair, but also to raise funds for the charity.

He will finally have his hair cut publicly in the centre of Llangollen at 2pm on Saturday close to the cenotaph where there will be collections for those who wish to make a donation on the day.

* Charlie’s Just Giving page can be found at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/charlie-hair-grow

Council’s new website trialled ahead of launch

* The new-look website which the county council is trialling.

Denbighshire County Council is trialling out a new website – and wants to hear the public’s views.

The site has been completely redesigned to meet the requirements of the Equalities Act, which expects all public sector organisations to have accessible websites by September 2020.  

Making a website accessible means that it can be used by people with impaired vision, motor difficulties, learning disabilities, deafness or impaired hearing.

The test version of the website has a very different look and feel from the existing website.  It has a clear and simple design; it should be easier to read in terms of font, colours and contrast and the language should be easy to understand.  It has also been designed so that it can be used on as many digital devices as possible.

Councillor Richard Mainon, Cabinet Lead Member for Corporate Services and Strategic Direction, said: “Our website is one of the key platforms for the council to provide advice and information to the public and is available twenty four hours a day, 365 days a year. 

“The council is focusing on providing more services online and allowing customers to access a wide range of information about council services, as well as registering requests, making payments and getting involved in consultations.  

"We are always looking at ways of improving our online services and this latest change in law has given us a great opportunity to revamp our website, making sure it fully complies with accessibility guidelines.

“Our main focus has been on making the information as easy as possible and for people to navigate our website. We believe we have come up with a fresh look and feel to the website and we sincerely hope that visitors to our website give it the thumbs up. It has been tested internally and by the Disability Accessibility Centre.

“Feedback is really important and we would encourage people to get in touch via the feedback option and share their views.”

The new-look test website is available by visiting: www.denbighshire.gov.uk

This is a test website, therefore some areas of the new site are still being completed.  Please check back to our main website for information and services. 

Subject to feedback and any necessary amendments, the new-look website will go live in September. Further information will be issued nearer the time.