Railway decides to cancel its special Christmas trains

Llangollen Railway has decided to cancel its special Christmas season trains.

On its Facebook page it is says: "It is with a very heavy heart that we have taken the decision to cancel the Santa and Mince Pie Specials for 2020.

"With the uncertainty surrounding further local area lockdown restrictions, there is no guarantee the majority of our passengers will be able to travel with us throughout December.

"Everyone who has made a booking will be contacted during the next week via email regarding their booking. 

"We are asking customers to not telephone the office but to respond to the email they receive. Due to furlough we are running the office with a skeleton staff. 

"Facebook messages will not be responded to at the current time, emails will be answered but it will take a little longer than usual to respond.

"Please bear with us during this unprecedented period. Your help and support during this difficult time is very much appreciated.

"Again, our apologies, we hope to see you at Llangollen Railway in 2021"

A railway spokesperson added: "We will be offering a full refund, a voucher for an alternative event next year (including Santa Specials) or people may wish to donate the ticket money to the railway in this time of need."

 

We will be offering a full refund, a voucher for an alternative event next year (including Santa Specials) or that they can donate the ticket money to the Railway. (!),,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, in this time of need,

 

County councillor explains reasons behind town's traffic changes

* The new one-way sign at the junction of Church Street and the A5. 

Specially for llanblogger Llangollen county councillor Graham Timms has explained the thinking behind the Covid-19 traffic changes which are currently being put in place around the town. 

* Wider pavement on one side of Castle Street.

Why has the parking been removed from Castle Street?

Whilst businesses need all the custom that they can get in these difficult times, it is essential that everyone feels safe and welcome on our streets. 

Many local residents felt that the crowds and lack of space made them nervous about going into the centre. 

It was impossible to observe social distancing on the very narrow pavements on both sides of Castle Street. 

In August and September and on fine weekends the pavements were much too crowded and something had to be done to make Llangollen safe for residents and visitors. 

Removing the parking provides extra room for this. A more relaxed pedestrian experience will encourage more time (and money) to be spent in the shops in the town centre.

Why use lane defenders?

We asked if the street could be separated from the pavement using wooden planters instead. 

Unfortunately there are strict rules about this - it’s about safety for pedestrians. Planters would be dangerous if a vehicle collides with them as they would slide, possibly causing injury. 

The lane defenders offer much more protection even though they don’t look anywhere near as nice.

Why has all the extra space been added to one side of Castle Street?

In an ideal world the space would have been added equally to both sides of the street. Unfortunately this would have left a very narrow strip of ground at street level on both sides with a curb up onto the original pavement. This would have made the likelihood of tripping on the curb much more likely.

So why was the east side of Castle Street chosen?

The pavement on the west side of the street has much more width by Y Capel and down past the Town Hall. It was decided to add the extra space to the east side for this reason. ‘Llangollen 2020’ plans will have the extra width divided between both sides and the whole pavement will be raised to the same level.

Is there any free parking in car parks?

Yes. To mitigate the loss of parking on Castle Street Denbighshire have provided free parking for two hours during normal shop opening hours until the end of December. We asked for a free half hour in all car parks to allow residents to ‘pop and shop’ but we were told that the concession would be the same for each town.

Will free parking continue next year?

We’ve asked for some free parking next year too, but no decision has been made just yet. We’re pushing for the free half hour in all car parks rather than the current two hours in East Street only.

* No entry signs at the junction of Bridge Street and Church Street.

Church Street - Why does reversing the one-way system help to improve road safety for parents and children on their way to school?

Church Street is used by many parents and children on their journey to and from school. Walking and cycling is being encouraged, but many other parents in cars also use this route as a short cut (illegally) which makes the route much more dangerous. 

If the one-way system is reversed the traffic on Church Street will then travel towards the town from the Sun Inn. 

On reaching the Hand Hotel all traffic will have to turn left, as Bridge Street will keep its original direction of traffic flow.  

Chapel Street and Oak Street will have to be followed to get to Castle Street. It now takes longer to follow the new Church Street route than using Regent Street (the A5). 

One way from Castle Street into Market Street. Why? 

Traffic surveys show that there are more pedestrians crossing Castle Street at the Market Street and Oak Street junction than anywhere else. 

Preventing traffic from leaving Market Street here will make the junction safer. Pedestrians crossing from the Market Street Car Park will only have traffic in one direction to contend with. 

It will also help with traffic flow as this junction often becomes blocked at busy times. The new route from Market Street onto Castle Street will follow the current one-way system along East Street and Parade Street.

* The short link road between M'Eating Point and Stans.

What is the point in closing the small link road between M’Eating Point and Stan’s Garage?

Traffic using this small link road often creates a hazard on the A5 right by the traffic lights. Visibility is also very poor when vehicles travel onto Hall Street. Alternative routes are much safer. 

Many pedestrians also cross the A5 at this point on their way to and from Stan’s Garage and Post Office. Closing this small link road removes an extra hazard for pedestrians at this point.

Is it possible to please everyone by making these changes?

Unfortunately, no.

Bags of good wishes delivered for Remembrance Day

* The Remembrance gift bags delivered across town.

Various organisations in Llangollen have  teamed up to provide and deliver Remembrance gift bags to deserving people across the town.  

The bags were put together by Kirsty Wild along with volunteers Stephanie Mitchell and Jen Davies from Llangollen Food Share.  

Town Hall facilitator Charlie Jones assisted in sourcing poppies to go with the bags.  

Cat Meade  from Wingetts plus volunteers Cath, Barrie and Karen distributed them to Llangollen's four care homes and to eight different sheltered/modified accommodation settings.  

Some of the bags are still available for people to collect for friends, neighbours and family members.  

Kirsty said: "Big thanks to Town Clerk Gareth Thomas for securing funding for the bags, Sharon Jones for the Welsh cakes and all the children of Ysgol Bryn Collen and Ysgol Y Gwernant for their fantastic poppy pictures.  

"Feedback in person and on Facebook has been fantastic, with several recipients reduced to tears." 

* Poppy messages which went inside the bags.

 

* Welsh cakes also went inside.

Inner Wheel members lay wreath on war memorial

 

* Earlier today Val Cartwright, President of Llangollen Inner Wheel, laid a wreath on behalf of members at the war memorial in Centenary Square.

Council leaders discuss Covid-19 joint recovery

 

The Welsh Government and partners across North Wales are continuing to work together to support the region in dealing with the immediate impact of the pandemic and planning for the future, Economy and North Wales Minister Ken Skates said today.

The Minister was speaking following a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on North Wales which included the leaders of the region’s six local authorities.           Ken Skates said: “There is strong partnership working across North Wales and that relationship is now more important than ever as we face the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, and the end of the EU transition period.  Together at the Cabinet Committee meeting we discussed how we can jointly deliver sustainable recovery for the region.           “Without doubt the situation is grave with manufacturing particularly affected in the North East and the tourism industry more to the West.  At the Welsh Government we will continue to do all we can to support businesses at this very difficult time.           “We unanimously agreed to continue to work together and to take every opportunity to boost confidence and reaffirm our genuine commitment to the region.  There is much already underway including progress on the North Wales Growth deal, which has the potential to transform the region, and investments in transport and our town centres.”           Chair of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board and leader of Gwynedd Council Cllr Dyfrig Siencyn said: “Leaders from across the region were pleased to meet with Welsh Government Ministers during the Cabinet Committee on North Wales.           “The meeting offered an opportunity to highlight a number of challenges facing the six counties of the north, including a real concern regarding unemployment which has been felt more keenly since the pandemic struck. It was reassuring that Ministers were eager to discuss potential projects that could help to provide new skills for workers and to support young people as they enter the work environment in what is undoubtedly a difficult period. I hope we see progress in this important area in the coming months.           “Council Leaders also highlighted the importance of capital infrastructure to boost the north Wales economy in the short-term as we work together to rebuild our economy and we hope to see further commitment.           “Of course, Brexit is still very much on our agenda and the impact a no-deal exit from the European Union would have on exports for companies across the region was highlighted, as well as the concerning impacts on the rural economy and the agriculture sector which is such an important aspect of our economy.”

Welsh Government outlines its approach to qualifications

 Education Minister Kirsty Williams has today (Tuesday, November 10) confirmed Wales’ approach for qualifications in 2021 and her decision that there will be no end of year exams for learners taking GCSEs, AS levels or A levels.

The Minister outlined:

• that in place of exams, the Welsh Government intended to work with schools and colleges to take forward teacher-managed assessments,
• that this should include assessments that will be externally set and marked but delivered within a classroom environment under teacher supervision.
• her expectation this work will form the basis for centre-based outcomes which will be linked to an agreed national approach to provide consistency across Wales.

The announcement has been made after considering detailed advice published by Qualifications Wales on the delivery options available as well as the interim findings of an independent review into this year’s exams process.

The Minister also discussed options with a range of people including learners and their families, head teachers, college leaders, the Children’s Commissioner and universities across the UK.

Confirming her policy decision, Education Minister Kirsty Williams said: “The well-being of learners and ensuring fairness across the system is central in our decision making process.

“In line with the recommendations of both Qualifications Wales and the Independent Review, there will be no exams for GCSE or AS level learners next year. A-level students will also not be required to sit exams.

“We remain optimistic that the public heath situation will improve, but the primary reason for my decision is down to fairness; the time learners will spend in schools and colleges will vary hugely and, in this situation, it is impossible to guarantee a level playing field for exams to take place.

“We have consulted with universities across the UK and they have confirmed that they are used to accepting many different types of qualifications.

“They expect a transparent and robust approach which provides evidence of a learner’s knowledge and ability. 

“Our intended approach does just that, as it is designed to maximise the time for teaching and learning. 

“Cancelling exams provides time for teaching and learning to continue throughout the summer term, to build the knowledge, skills and confidence in our learners to progress in whatever they decide to do next.”

The Minister said Welsh Government would work with teachers to take forward teacher-managed assessments and that they should include assessments that will be externally set and marked, but delivered within a classroom environment under teacher supervision.

Teachers would have flexibility when it is best to undertake them, in the context of results timelines

The Minister said: “The full approach to this will be developed by school and college leaders, supported by Welsh Government and advised by Qualifications Wales and WJEC.

“My policy intention is that this will form the basis for centre-based outcomes which will be linked to an agreed national approach to provide consistency across Wales to assure universities and colleges of our approach. 

 “This work will be completed in the autumn term to provide time for implementation from January and we envisage that the first assessment activities will not commence until the latter half of the spring term.”

The Minister also reiterated that a £50 million package of support has been put in place to support learners in exam years to develop the skills and knowledge they need to confidently progress.

The Minister added: “This remains a highly challenging year and what I have announced today sets a course which removes pressures from learners and provides clear time for teaching and learning. 

“I now look to our schools, colleges, qualifications bodies, and the wider education sector to work cooperatively and collaboratively through the year to support our learners and enable them to progress with confidence.”

The situation for Vocational Qualifications is more complex and will require extra work.

The Minister confirmed Welsh Government officials would continue to support Qualifications Wales as they work closely with other regulators to ensure a ‘pragmatic approach that works in learners’ interests and gives them clarity about the way forward.’

* Denbighshire County Council has welcomed the decision from the Welsh Government Education Minister about GCSEs and A Levels arrangements for  2021.

Kirsty Williams MS announced today (Tuesday) that GCSE and A Level students would not be sitting examinations in May/ June 2021, but will receive grades based on assessments carried out in schools. 

Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts, Cabinet Lead Member for Children, Education and Public Engagement, said: “ It is great news that a decision has finally been made which means  that our young people are not being left in limbo and facing a lot of uncertainty.  I hope the Minister’s announcement really provides some peace of mind to students, schools and families about the arrangements for next year.  It has been such an uncertain period for them all but it means that schools can now get on with the task of continuing to provide the right level of support that students need.

 

“Coronavirus has had such an impact on the school timetable this year that going down the route of no examinations was absolutely the fairest outcome for our young people. 

 

“We will be working with schools, as well as at regional and national level to ensure that the process is followed and provides fairness to everyone”.

 

Government cash available for innovative businesses

* Minister for Economy, Transport, and North Wales, Ken Skates.

The Welsh Government is making funding available to support businesses with innovative products and services that will help communities and the public sector adapt to the challenges of coronavirus. 

The Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI), which can offer up to £50,000 to promising projects able to start in January 2021 and complete by the end of March, will also be important for schemes that can support the public sector after the EU Transition period. 

The focus will be on creating better lives closer to home, by delivering against three key objectives that support the Welsh Government’s Economic Action Plan. These are to: 

• Build Back Green - enabling businesses and communities to adapt to the ongoing challenges posed by COVID-19 with a focus on a healthier, cleaner and more sustainable Wales. We are looking for solutions that enable people to continue to work closer to home, considering accessibility and safety whilst maintaining a sense of community and connection.
• Create sustainability and security in supply chains - supporting place-based and needs-led driven business supply chains to secure jobs for the future and to safeguard against further supply chain disruptions so that communities have access to healthy food sources.
• Support mental and physical wellbeing for all generations - developing new products and services to address mental health, improve access to care, and support the resilience of communities throughout the pandemic and beyond.

Solutions could include ways to use emerging digital and smart technology to support the mental wellbeing of people within communities; reduce the impact of emissions on health; tackle the impacts of food poverty; or reduce unemployment and the need to commute.

Minister for Economy, Transport, and North Wales, Ken Skates, said: "The coronavirus pandemic is the biggest public health emergency this country has ever faced. We need people with expertise, entrepreneurship and innovative thinking to work with us and help deliver sustainable solutions to the challenges it poses to the long term wellbeing of our communities and economy.

"I am incredibly proud of the ingenuity and sense of community Wales has demonstrated in dealing with the impacts of coronavirus virus, but there is much more to be done as we continue to adapt to the ever changing landscape in which we live and work.

"The Small Business Research Initiative provides important funding for firms to link with the public sector and deliver important solutions to specific challenges. I encourage those with an interest to get involved."

Lynda Jones, SBRI Centre of Excellence manager, said: "COVID 19 has affected us all, and for this challenge we are seeking innovations that will help support long term health and wellbeing whilst supporting communities and the economy.

"Successful applicants will have the unique opportunity to collaborate and work closely with a team of experts from the relevant sectors to help develop their solutions.

"The Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) has a total of £250,000 available to offer successful projects."

Businesses have until 12pm on November 27, 2020 to submit their ideas.

* For more information, e-mail: SBRI.COE@wales.nhs.uk. For more information and to submit a project for consideration, visit: sdi.click/betterlives.