Mokka now oozes French flair

Vauxhall Mokka road test by Steve Rogers

When my neighbour is round to spy the latest test car before the engine has cooled it must be something tasty.

In this case it was the new Vauxhall Mokka and it was the front of the car that caught David's eye. No surprise there, whatever you thought of the styling of the old Mokka forget it. 

This is not an improvement it's a transformation. The designers have nailed it with razor sharp styling and a stunning front. It's called Vizor and you can bet your last quid this will be the new face of Vauxhall. They would be daft if it is not.

Vauxhall has been under the Peugeot banner for a couple of years so may be some of that French flair has rubbed off on the boys and girls in Luton.

What is certain is that under the Mokka skin is a bit of Peugeot 208 and Citroen C4 and that is no bad thing. If you can blend good design with decent handling then you are on a winner.

I was reminded of the 50 metre test coined by the late automotive titan Richard Parry Jones, who did wonders for Ford. That was all he needed to decide if a car met his demanding standards. I've always said I can judge a car after two circuits of a roundabout and it did not take long to like the feeling of Mokka, even though there were no roundabouts nearby to negotiate.

Let's not get too carried away. Mokka is not the best handling compact crossover on the market, that prize would probably go to its Peugeot 2008 cousin or more likely the Ford Puma but it has a nice blend of comfort and straight down the middle handling. I drive a short stretch of humpy back road which is a good suspension test and Mokka passed with honours. You tend to hear the bumps more than feel them.

It is not even the most practical either having lost 124mm in length so it is not going to be winning prizes for the most interior space which begs the question who is the Mokka aimed at?

Two groups that come to mind are older folk who like a higher driving position so they can slide on to the seat and not drop down so far that getting out is a strain, and families with a couple of young children because leggy teens will find back seat leg room tight. Boot space is a smidge less than before but drop the back seats and there is room for a couple of sets of golf clubs and trolleys so that makes the market even wider!

Inside has been transformed as well following the digital dashboard trend but shies away from Peugeot's oddball set up where the driver spends an age adjusting the seat and tiny steering wheel just to get a clear view of the dashboard.

If anything Mokka's widescreen layout is more akin to a Volkswagen Golf with a 12 inch digital driver's binnacle flowing into a 10 inch central screen for navigation and audio etc. Everything is clear and selecting the various options for the binnacle is easy. There are even physical switches for the heating controls. Yippee.

Trim quality has been upgraded and looks particularly impressive at the top end of the range. Vauxhall has always been generous with kit and that is a strength of Mokka even at SE entry level where they haven't skimped on safety features either to help give a stress free drive.

Engine choice is another strength with a brace of three cylinder turbo 1.2 petrols, a 1.5 diesel and an electric. My guess is the 98bhp petrol will be the favourite but my 128hp packed a mild punch and would tempt me. You can only tell it is a three cylinder from outside and is otherwise a smooth performer with the option of an eight speed auto.

The delivery driver did well on his trip from the Midlands recording 50mpg; I wasn't so good ending the week on 39mpg which probably had something to do with me enjoying the car's performance and the steering wheel paddle shifters.

It is early days for European Car of the Year candidates but with its excellent all round package and eye catching styling this new Mokka is definitely in with a shout.

Fast facts

Mokka Elite Nav Premium 8sp auto

£27,100 (starts £20,735)

1.2 litre petrol turbo; 128bhp

0-62mph 9.2secs;124mph

47.9mpg combined

137g/km. 1st VED £220

Insurance group 18

Boot 350 litres

A5 shut near Llan after vehicle overturns

The A5 has been shut in both directions after a vehicle overturned, the Daily Post is reporting. 

Police have urged people to avoid the area around the incident near Llangollen. 

Emergency services are at the scene, which social media says in near the golf course.

Social media also says: "Car upside down blocking the road.

"Traffic building up."

The Daily Post is reporting that the road is now clear, adding: "The incident is a single vehicle RTC, with just the one person involved.

"Awaiting confirmation on any injuries, but early signs point to it not being too serious, thankfully."

For the story, see:

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/live-a5-closed-both-directions-20625748

Rhug Estate to host colourful group of Evel Knievels

* Wrong Way Round Wales event organiser Jason Lewis.

Rhug Estate will host a group of Evel Knievels later this month as they embark on a five-day, 1,070 mile ride, the Wrong Way Round Wales to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support. 

All the entrants will be dressed as 1970s stunt legend Evel Knievel. 

The event has become well known in motorcycle circles over the past ten years and is the only UK event endorsed by the Knievel family of Butte Montana, who follow its progress each year on social media. 

This year will see its first visit to Rhug Estate and the Cymru Knievels will be starting from Wrexham on Thursday, May 27. 

The group of approximately 30 riders will then follow the north Wales coast west and end the day with cape-flapping laps at the Anglesey circuit. 

Day two they will see them head south via Portmeirion Village and finish in Aberystwyth. 

On day three they will travel to Tenby then on day four they will go from Tenby to Monmouth. 

On the last day, Bank Holiday Monday, May 31, they will head back up north, stopping off at Rhug at approximately 3.30pm, before heading back to Wrexham to finish line.

Event organiser Jason Lewis said: “To mark the 10th year, for the first time since the event’s conception back in 2012, the ride has been entitled Wrong Way Round and will see the Cymru Knievels flapping our capes in an anti-clockwise direction around Wales.

"Since 2012 Ride Cymru has raised over £135,000 for charity. Entrants raise sponsorship ahead of the event and then fund their own journey around Wales - dressed as Evel Knievel. 

"Whilst the 2021 event cannot create any public gatherings please do give us a toot or a wave if we should pass you around the outer edges of Wales and we hope to see you at Rhug on Bank Holiday Monday.”  

The Ride Cymru event is raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support and people can donate at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/wales21?fbclid=IwAR0Qz-G-YMy-e8RqdphI8pRZeBO7oMByxVGa-MnhGJEeNwxH9Lwob09s4ng

Lord Newborough, owner of Rhug Estate, said: “We are delighted to be able to host the Cymru Knievels here at Rhug. 

"This is exactly the sort of event we want to encourage at Rhug as it is well situated and the carpark space is perfect for welcoming large groups. 

"We also have the Takeaway and shop for Cymru Knievel supporters to visit. 

"As a supporter of local charitable events and charities it is a pleasure to be able to offer all the Ride Cymru participants a hot drink when they stop off with us on Bank Holiday Monday. 

"It has been so quiet here during the lockdowns it brings a smile to my face to see visitors returning and events such as this taking place once again.”

Roadworks planned for Regent Street

Latest local roadworks alert from one.network is:

Regent Street, Llangollen, Denbighshire 20 May — 20 May   Delays likely - Traffic control (two-way signals)   Works location: OUTSIDE 36   Works description: REPLACE FRAME & COVER   Responsibility for works: Welsh Water   Current status: Planned work about to start   Works reference: PE12595589223

Llangollen Railway's historic crane is saved from being scrapped

Enthusiasts aiming to get Llangollen Railway back on track have had some good news about the historic crane they have been trying to save from being scrapped.

Following the railway’s public limited company going into receivership with debts of around £350,000 in March various assets of the heritage attraction were put up for online auction to pay off creditors.

A massive fundraising appeal enabled the completely separate Railway Trust, which is perfectly solvent, to buy up sufficient assets, including rolling stock, to be able to press ahead with its plans to re-open the railway later this summer.

But there wasn’t enough money raised to buy everything, including a 50-ton Cowans Sheldon crane.

According to a post on the unofficial Llangollen Railway Facebook page on Saturday, this is a historic vehicle and the only one of its kind still in operation.

Despite it already having been sold for scrap, an appeal was launched to keep it at the railway.

But now, just a couple of days later, help has come from the scrap company which bought the crane.

On the unofficial Llangollen Railway Facebook page this afternoon (Monday) the enthusiasts say: “Some great news about our Cowans Sheldon crane. Allister Boote from Sandbach Commercial Dismantlers Ltd (SCD) has met with several Llangollen Railway representatives on site today.

“He has very kindly agreed to keep the crane in one piece and on the railway for the foreseeable future.

“The railway also have the option to buy it back over an extended period, including offsetting the value raised from supplying day-to-day scrap materials to SCD. A great idea!

“Our urgent priority obviously remains on raising funds for the re-opening of the railway later this year (and both the rolling stock and Full Steam Ahead appeals are still open), but watch this space for details of specific fundraising to support the crane.

“Sincere thanks to Allister. His kind support is very much appreciated.”

And one of the railway enthusiasts later added:“Allister Boote told me that he was very happy to try and help us and that railways are very much in his blood - his father was a fireman based at Alsager shed.”

Plan for homes on former Llan hotel site rejected

Plans to demolish a former Llangollen hotel in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to make way for a 16-home development have been rejected by county councillors, according to a story in the Denbighshire Free Press.

For the full story, see: https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/19307377.llangollen-hotel-redevelopment-plan-area-outstanding-natural-beauty-rejected/

Meet new North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner

* PCC Andy Dunbobbin outside police headquarters.

A new police boss has pledged to pull out all the stops to combat the growing tide of online crime.

Tech savvy Andy Dunbobbin, 46, was speaking on his first  official day in office as North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner after succeeding Arfon Jones in the job.

Standing for Labour, father-of-two Mr Dunbobbin said that winning the election was one of the proudest moments of his life and he vowed to represent everyone in North Wales, regardless of their political affiliations.

A native of Connah’s Quay in Flintshire, he is the son and grandson of steelworkers whose family was hit hard when in 1980 British Steel axed 6,500 jobs at Shotton Steel.

It‘s still the biggest industrial redundancy on a single day in Western Europe and the cataclysmic economic and social blow and the decades of deprivation it caused in Deeside forged his values and his view of the world.

But it was another family crisis, he said, that inspired him to dedicate himself to the idea of public service.

He and his wife, Louise, took in four other children as kinship carers and overnight they became a family of eight.

The support they received at the time persuaded Mr Dunbobbin that he wanted to be in a position to do practical things to help other people and in 2013 he was elected to Flintshire County Council.

His greatest professional claim to fame so far is that he played a role in ensuring that the 2012 London Olympics was successfully beamed across the world to an audience measured in billions.

At the time he was working as a technical team leader for a local network company and was responsible for carrying out rigorous checks on the vast array of technology used by the outside broadcast units at  the Olympic Games, the biggest sporting event in the world.

Fast forward to 2021 and he says the chance to stand for election as the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner was an opportunity that was too good to pass up.

He said: “I am passionate about the idea of public service because a lot of things have happened in my life  and I want to serve the people of North Wales.

“Where there’s a challenge, I will always step up to the plate. There have been things in my life – like  being a kinship carer for and going from a family four to being a family of eight overnight - that have demonstrated my commitment to doing the right thing.

“When there’s a challenge, I will always step up to the plate. I am rooted in the community and I want to make a positive difference in people’s lives, learning from each other and working together so that we all benefit.

“The reason I wanted to stand to become the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner  is because I know how important it is to keep families and communities safe. It really matters to people how safe and secure they are.

“There is so much influence this role can have in improving our can improve our communities.

“My manifesto is going to be like my blueprint for the next three years to provide the strategic direction of North Wales Police and that’s what I am going to be measured against.

“Crime does not just happen on the streets any more, it also happens online  and that is a massive challenge for the police.

“Online crime manifests itself in so many different ways, ranging from fraud to sexual exploitation and hate crime.

“The criminals are becoming more sophisticated by the day and it is vital that the police also continue to be more tech savvy.

“Because of my background, I am used to using really sophisticated software packages and equipment.

“We have to invest to make sure that North Wales Police has the most up-to-date technology available to them  to combat online criminals. We want to future proof the force’s technology and ensure greater value for money.

“I believe my knowledge and expertise in this area will be a real strength.

“On the ground, I want to improve the visibility of North Wales Police because we all know that prevention is better than cure – a police presence provides reassurance to people.

“The Welsh Government has committed to increasing the number of PCSOs in Wales from 500 to 600. I will be having conversations to make sure that North Wales gets its fair share.

“Something else I feel strongly about is investing in victim services, including setting up a victims’ panel. I want to give victims a voice to give an opportunity to victims and survivors to tell us what can be done better.

“North Wales Police is recognised throughout the UK for the significant improvements they have made in terms of rural policing and this is something I want to build on.

“Although I live in a largely urban area, I am committed to providing the best possible policing service for the whole of North Wales, including rural areas.”

Mr Dunbobbin also wanted to pay tribute to his predecessor, Arfon Jones, who has retired.

He said: “Arfon needs to be congratulated on the work he has achieved, particularly over the past year during the pandemic which has caused unprecedented challenges for the force.”

Stephen Hughes, the Chief Executive of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “On behalf of the team, I would like to offer our sincere congratulations to Andy on winning the election to become the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner.

“We look forward to supporting him to draft a new Police and Crime Plan to outline the strategic priorities of North Wales Police and to scrutinise the force to ensure that these objectives are carried out to make North Wales an even safer place to live and work.”