Framework for Corwen station waiting room now in place

* A platform level-view of the new steel structure at Corwen. 

Picture by George Jones.

The fabricated steelwork for the on-platform waiting room at the new Corwen station has now been put in place.

Designed by EWP Structural Engineers of Bangor on the recommendation of Denbighshire County Council, the steel beams were fabricated by Barnett Engineering Ltd of Rhosllanerchrugog and delivered to site for assembly by their team. 

With help from the project’s Road Rail Vehicle, the beams where hosted into position to form an oblong box within the area of the waiting room measuring 15 x 4 metres with provision for services to toilets already plumbed in.

The steelwork comprises four Ibeams for each corner with eight intermediate wind posts and associated cross beams to link the vertical members, all weighing in at around four tons.  

The design called for integral strength to support the roof which will be part of the station canopy and subject to high winds at this exposed, elevated position on the embankment.

The steelwork sits between the three pairs of ex-Blackfriars, London canopy columns surrounding the access stairwell and the final pair of columns at the eastern end. The casual observer now has some idea as to how it will all link together to provide for the canopy.

The eventual canopy will require the fabrication of six assorted ‘A’ frames to support the roofing material and have been specially designed to cater for the variations in the width of the platform and curvature. However, construction of these is for a later stage of the project.

With the steelwork in-situ, the preparation of the surrounding area can be completed and a good start has been made by contractors Wrexham Paving on the laying of the tactile edging and paving blocks at the eastern end of the platform.

Project Leader, Richard Dixon-Gough said: “I would like to thank Barnett Engineering for their work to help us complete this project. They have done a great job in fabricating and erecting the steelwork for the waiting room building on the Corwen new build station platform.

“It is a little unfortunate that the results of their skills will be hidden within the structure of the building when the brickwork etc. has been completed, but at least we can enjoy the visual impact in the short term.

“Our association Barnett Engineering has been very successful, and this is the latest example of their skills and expertise as applied to the project; others include the new build water tank and the modifications required on the canopy columns, all of which are admired by the passing public and we have received many positives unsolicited comments about their presence on site.

“The steelwork is a further example of how the overall project is now coming together after many years of planning and hard work by a small band of volunteers on site. 

“Once completed and passed fit for purpose the new build station and infrastructure will be opened to the public and will increase footfall within Corwen helping to boost the local economy.”

People must wear masks in shops from Monday, says First Minister

The BBC is reporting that people in Wales must wear masks in shops and other indoor spaces from Monday, according to the First Minister.

Mark Drakeford said the change came as 20 people in every 100,000 in Wales now had coronavirus.

Indoor meetings of more than six people from an extended household will be illegal from Monday.

The rule will not apply to children aged 11 and under. Up to 30 people from different homes can still meet outside.

Mr Drakeford said: "Today for the first time we will go to a point where 20 people in 100,000 are suffering from coronavirus in Wales.

"That is the threshold we use for people to have to quarantine coming back into the UK.

"And having reached that today, we will be making the use of face coverings mandatory in shops and in closed public spaces in Wales."

He said if the figure fell, the advice could be re-examined.

Contact service businesses reminded of change in guidance

Barbers and hairdressers in Denbighshire are being reminded of a change in guidance regarding protective equipment.

Denbighshire County Council is reminding close contact service businesses of changes in Welsh Government guidance which includes requiring barbers and hairdressers to wear a Type II mask with three layers plus a clear face visor which covers the forehead, extends below the chin, and wraps around the side of the face.

The council has been working with Denbighshire businesses ensuring they are adhering to the guidelines and customers are being encouraged to report any businesses breaking the rules.

Cllr Mark Young, the Council’s Lead Member for Planning, Public Protection and Safer Communities, said: “We are reminding barbers, hairdressers and customers of the change in guidance regarding PPE.

“It is vitally important businesses follow this guidance to help reduce the risk of outbreaks and keep our communities safe.

“The council has been visiting businesses to ensure they are following the guidance and that they are keeping customers safe and we will look to take enforcement action against those not following the guidelines.

“We are also asking customers who are aware of businesses not following the guidance to report the matter to the council.”

As well as wearing PPE, close contact service businesses should ensure 2m social distancing in the waiting area, toys and magazines should have been removed from the waiting area, hand sanitiser should be provided for staff and customers and an appointment system and contact tracing should be in place while equipment should be disinfected between each client treatment.

The council says you can report a business by contacting the council via envhealth@denbighshire.gov.uk

* Businesses can read the latest guidance from the Welsh Government at https://gov.wales/close-contact-services-businesses-coronavirus-workplace-guidance

2020 Christmas festival falls victim to coronavirus

Llangollen Christmas Festival has become the latest casualty of the coronaviris situation.

The annual event draws thousands of people to the town from across a wide area for a day of fun and entertainment ending in the switching on of the Christmas lights and a spectacular fireworks display.

Hundreds of pounds is also regularly raised for local charities of the Welsh Air Ambulance. 

But  the group that organises the festival now says that having considered the risks they have reluctantly decided to cancel this year’s event.

In a statement this morning they say: “We feel it would be unrealistic and irresponsible for us to organise a festival that attracts over 2,000 people into town, with little chance of social distancing, whilst coronavirus is still a threat.

"We are hoping that we’ll be able to organise some smaller 'Chritmassy' activities during December but it will obviously be dependant upon the coronavirus advice at the time.

“We will be back and our plan is for Llangollen Christmas Festival 2021 to be the biggest and best ever."

2021 panto is off due to Covid-19 ... oh yes it is!

 

* Cast members for the 2020 panto, Pinocchio.

Organisers have been forced to cancel the next Llangollen Pantomime due to the coronavirus situation.

The group was due to stage its production of Cinderella at the Pavilion next January.

But as theatres have not been given the go ahead to get back into action, the show will have to wait until the following year.

Panto spokesperson Sharon Jones: “We had over 40 cast members ready to put it on under the direction of Simon Orton Jones but there’s no way we can do that now.

“For the youngsters this is particularly disappointing because, with some doing A Levels and others going off to university, this was their last opportunity to be in one of our shows. Still, it could be worse.”

The group, which put on its first panto back in 1984, are now looking forward to bringing Cinderella to the stage in January 2022.  

Meanwhile, according to Sharon, they are hoping to stage some form of show for younger members around the time the panto would have been running.

“It could be either a zoom thing or socially-distanced gathering based on  performances or a competition.

“The idea would be to keep the group together and give them something to look forward to.

“They could put something together during the Christmas holidays and senior members would help them with the choreography or music.”       

Kronospan gets £622,000 from government to safeguard jobs

* Inside the Kronspan factory in Chirk.

Hundreds of jobs at Chirk-based manufacturer Kronospan have been safeguarded with help from the Welsh Government’s Economic Resilience Fund (ERF).

The company, which supplies wood-based panel products, is a key employer in North East Wales with more than 620 workers.

Kronospan experienced a dramatic reduction in sales as a result of the pandemic and the subsequent interruptions to cash flow, which left the company facing an extremely challenging period.

It received £622,000 from the Welsh Government’s ERF, which has helped the business continue to operate through the pandemic and ultimately protect the workforce.

The ERF, which is part of the Welsh Government’s £1.7bn support package for businesses, is providing thousands of companies across Wales with significant financial support. It complements the help provided by the UK Government.

To date, more than 13,000 businesses have received financial support worth more than £280m and the fund has helped protect more than 75,000 jobs.

Ben Spruce, chief financial officer of Kronospan, said:“The assistance provided by Welsh Government has helped us protect jobs and support our local suppliers.

“It has been a difficult period for everyone and we are extremely grateful to our entire team, both those who have worked throughout and those who were furloughed and have now returned.

“The support received demonstrates to us the proactive approach Welsh Government has taken during this crisis to support businesses, protect jobs and help the regional economy build back stronger.”

Deputy Minister for Economy, Lee Waters said: “Kronospan is an important employer in North East Wales and I’m pleased we have been able to provide crucial financial assistance at a time when the company needed it most, helping protect hundreds of jobs.

“Coronavirus has placed incredibly difficult challenges on our business community and our immediate response has been to try and protect companies, jobs and livelihoods through an unprecedented package of support, delivered at pace, worth £1.7bn.

“Our Economic Resilience Fund has been a key part of that and absolutely essential in supporting thousands of businesses across Wales in dealing with the economic impacts of the pandemic.”

County council signs are reminder to keep your distance

* One of the county council signs on Castle Street. 

A series of signs have been placed across Denbighshire as part of a visual reminder for people to continue to social distance when they’re visiting town centres.

The signs have been installed as part of a wider campaign to encourage more people to visit town centres safely.

In June, the county council set up a Task Group to support town centre businesses during and after the re-opening of shops, working jointly with business associations and local communities. 

The council also has teams out and about in our main town centres, monitoring compliance with safety guidelines, as well as offering practical support to businesses, such as signage or posters.

Leader of Denbighshire, Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, who is also the Cabinet Lead Member for the Economy, said: “For more than three months, town centres - the heart of many of our communities - stood still and quiet, with businesses closed and visitors and locals alike asked to stay at home and away from others until things became better. 

“The easing of restrictions on town centre businesses has been a step in the right direction and the council has worked closely with the business associations and communities across Denbighshire to ensure the re-introduction of services has been as smooth as possible.

“The signage is one of a number of initiatives that have been introduced in town centres.  

"Teams of staff from the council have also been working in town centres, liaising with businesses and listening to their feedback.  

"They have also been able to identify what works well and whether there were any localised issued that needed addressing.

“The messages around social distancing are equally as relevant as they were at the beginning of our work and we would like to thank the communities of Denbighshire for supporting this essential work."