All the latest action at reviving Llangollen railway

* The little tank engine sets off from Llangollen for its period on hire in Somerset. 

* The insignia of the Austin Motor Company on the engine.

The little tank engine set off from Llangollen Railway for a summer hire period at the Midsomer Norton railway in Somerset today.

Paul Reynolds photographed the engine loaded up ready to leave the yard.

It has been repainted by railway volunteers and given new lining-out with the addition of an insignia for the Austin Motor Company which acknowledges the engine's 40-year career as the shunter at Longbridge car plant in Birmingham.

The hiring out of the engine comes as a useful earner for the railway which is battling to re-open later this summer after emerging from its financial crisis.

* Engine No.3802 completes its steam test at Llangollen station.

* Engine owner Nick Gilbert.

Earlier this week the Heavy Freight GWR engine No.3802 completed a steam test in the yard and came down into the station to take water.

It then ran through the station and posed for photos whilst further checks were carried out. 

Owner Nick Gilbert said he was delighted with the chance to operate the locomotive over the tracks within the limits off Llangollen station, pending a longer run when the Dee Bridge work is complete and trains can cross over.

No 3802 will likely be a mainstay of train operations this season when services resume at Llangollen.

Woman schooled in Llangollen awarded the OBE

* Sara Pierson received the OBE in the Queen's birthday honours.

A woman who went to school in Llangollen has been awarded the OBE in the Queen's birthday honours list.

Sara Pierson, the elder daughter of David and Judy Pierson, was honoured for services to UK education and the promotion of the English language overseas.

Born and brought up in Glyndyfrdwy where her parents still live and she loves to visit them, Sara attended Llangollen Primary School, Ysgol Dinas Bran and Ellesmere College. 

She obtained an honours degree at Warwick University then worked at the Open University in Milton Keynes before moving on to work for the British Council, where she is currently employed as Director of Examinations.  

In her present role since August 2015, Sara has overall accountability for strategic relationships with over 150 UK examination boards and awarding bodies, ensuring delivery of university, school, professional and English language exams in line with their exacting standards and quality frameworks.

She has previously worked in senior partnerships positions at OUW Ltd, a subsidiary of the Open University. 

Her proud parents said: "Sara has many friends in and around Llangollen who we know will be delighted to hear of her success."  

Suzuki gets well Across e-power with its new hybrid

Suzuki Across road test by Steve Rogers

What's this? A Suzuki that looks suspiciously like a Toyota Rav4.

Nothing suspicious about it, this is a Rav4 with a Suzuki badge.

So what's this all about? It is quite simple, Toyota, one time world's biggest car company, has taken fellow Japanese, but smaller car company Suzuki, under its wing and is sharing its huge nous in hybrid technology along with handing over a couple of its models.

It is not all one way, Toyota gets into the Indian market where Suzuki is king - it has almost half the market with a showroom every 15 miles - and will sell Toyota badged Suzuki models there and on the African continent.

In Europe Suzuki has called its SUV the Across, a plug-in hybrid with an electric only range of up to 46 miles which is about as good as it gets at the moment. The set up is a 2.5 litre petrol engine paired with an electric motor that together produces a whopping 306bhp so if you want quick you can have quick, or you can take your time, watch the fuel gauge needle drop ever so slowly and enjoy free road tax and, for business users, next to nothing in income tax.

My 41 miles on electric only is the best from a plug in hybrid and only five short of the maximum so a good result. On engine power, and using economy mode, Across hit 45mpg on a couple of trips because the electric motor recharges under braking and kicks in when coasting.

There are two other drive modes selected from a switch in front of the auto gear lever, normal and sport should you feel the need for some rocket power. It can be driven on electric up to 84mph but fast motorway runs will gobble up the electric reserve in no time.

You have to take your hat off to Toyota for really getting this hybrid business sorted. Charging from my Podpoint wall charger took just over two hours. Plugging into the mains takes longer but can be sorted overnight and you don't have to worry about seeking out a charge station on a long journey.

By Suzuki standards Across is a big car with a big price but is great news for those followers mourning the loss of Grand Vitara. It fills the void, and handsomely as well because this is Toyota's best Rav4 by a country mile.

It also bucks the trend by being just partially digital. The driver's binnacle is computer generated but not multi layered like many rivals although you can scroll through a mound of information. There is a central touchscreen for navigation, phone, audio and driver information, but the heating controls are good old fashioned switches and a joy to use.

Suzuki offers one model but is packed with just about everything needed apart from a digital speedo display which is becoming an absolute must if you are not to be caught out by the multitude of cameras.

There is a wide range of safety features along with all the things we like, heated seats, powered driver's seat, auto dipping lights, keyless entry, powered tailgate with 'kick' opening when your hands are full of shopping bags.

And there is plenty of room for families with leggy grown up children supported by generous boot space. A minor point may be but for this money the boot walls need to be lined although the plastic trim is easier to keep clean... I suppose.

You would hardly describe Across a sporty SUV, there is a little more body movement than some of the German brethren, but nothing to be concerned about. Throw stonking performance into the mix though and it does present a lively performance challenge.

Why buy Across over a Rav4? A grand cheaper might help and the Suzuki front grille, the only visual difference, looks better, so over to you...

Watch this space for a report on the next Suzuki badged Toyota model.

Fast facts

Across Plug-in Hybrid

£45,599

2.5litre petrol+electric motor; 306bhp

0-62mph 6secs; 112mph

42.9mpg combined

22g/km. VED £0

BIK tax 6 per cent

Insurance group 43

Boot 490 litres

First Minister sets out priorities for new Welsh Government

 

* First Minister Mark Drakeford. 

The First Minister will today (Tuesday) set out ambitious plans for a "stronger, greener and fairer" Wales as he launches the Programme for Government.

The five-year plan shows how the new Welsh Government will deliver on the promises made to voters during the Senedd 2021 election and how it will tackle the big challenges we face in Wales. Climate change and the environment will be at the heart of the new government – a new “super-Ministry” has been created, bringing together the big policy areas to help Wales reach its legally binding target of reaching Net Zero by 2050. For the first time, transport, planning, housing and energy are brought together, with the environment, to tackle the climate and nature emergencies, with the aim of making sure climate change is firmly on the agenda for every public service and private sector business. Mark Drakeford said: “We will build a fairer, greener, stronger and ever more successful Wales that we all want for ourselves and for each other. “But I am determined that as we move Wales forward, no one will be left behind and no one will be held back. “People in Wales look after each other, and this programme is built on exactly that principle. “These plans will help move Wales forward beyond the pandemic which has affected every part of our lives. They focus on the areas where we can make the greatest difference to people and communities. “We will help our learners catch up and help people into new jobs. We will restore capacity in the NHS and help our industries and businesses prepare for the opportunities that lie ahead of us. “It is a transparent and achievable plan but recognises the need for radical action and innovative thinking in the face of unprecedented challenge.” Highlights of the programme are: Provide advanced, effective healthcare closer to people’s homes Prioritise investment in mental health Establish a new medical school in North Wales Roll out child and adolescent mental health services in schools across Wales.  Protect, re-build and develop our services for vulnerable people Pay care workers the real living wage Increase apprenticeships in care and recruit more Welsh speakers Fund childcare for more families where parents are in education and training.  Build an economy based on the principles of fair work, sustainability and the industries and services of the future Deliver the Young Person’s Guarantee, giving everyone under 25 the offer of work, education, training, or self-employment Create 125,000 all-age apprenticeships Develop a Tidal Lagoon Challenge Fund and support ideas that can make Wales a world centre of emerging tidal technologies Seek a 30% target for working remotely.  Build a stronger, greener economy to make maximum progress towards decarbonisation Launch a new 10-year Wales Infrastructure Investment Plan for a zero-carbon economy Upgrade our digital and communications infrastructure Work towards a new target of 45% of journeys by sustainable modes by 2040, setting more stretching goals where possible.  Embed the response to the climate and nature emergency in everything the government does Legislate to abolish the use of more commonly littered, single-use plastics Create a National Forest to extend from North to South Wales Introduce legislation to deal with the legacy of centuries of mining and ensure coal tip safety; strengthening local authority powers to protect the public and the environment Introduce a Clean Air Act, consistent with World Health Organisation guidance. Extend the provision of air quality monitoring.  Continue the long-term programme of education reform, and ensure educational inequalities narrow and standards rise Fund up to 1,800 additional tutoring staff in schools Continue to meet the rise in demand for Free School Meals and review the eligibility criteria, extending entitlement as far as resources allow Explore reform of the school day and the school year.  Celebrate diversity and move to eliminate inequality in all of its forms Explore legislation to address pay gaps based on gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, disability, and other forms of discrimination. Pilot an approach to basic income Ensure public bodies and those receiving public funding address pay disparities Implement targets around gender budgeting Ensure the history and culture of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities are properly represented by investing further in our cultural sector and museum network Make our Welsh public transport system more accessible to disabled people.  Push towards a million Welsh speakers, and enable our tourism, sports and arts industries to thrive Establish a National Music Service Consult on legislation permitting local authorities to raise a tourism levy Introduce a Cymraeg 2050 Welsh Language Education Bill to strengthen and increase Welsh language school provision Promote equal access to sports and support young and talented athletes and grassroots clubs Develop plans for a Museum of North Wales.  Make our cities, towns a villages even better places in which to live and work Build 20,000 new-low carbon social homes for rent Improve building safety so people feel safe and secure in their homes Make 20mph the default speed limit in residential areas Ban pavement parking wherever possible.  Lead Wales in a national civic conversation about our constitutional future, and give the country the strongest possible voice on the world stage Establish an independent, standing commission to consider the constitutional future of Wales Establish a Peace Academy in Wales Seek to reform council tax to ensure a fairer system for all Put in place a £65m international learning exchange programme.

Time to have your say on plans for Llangollen town centre

* The three pictures above show a series of computer generated artist's 

impressions of how the final 2020 scheme will look.

Public consultation on the £1.7 million plan which aims to streamline traffic and pedestrian flow in and around the town centre officially starts today (Tuesday).

The Llangollen 2020 Castle Street Improvement scheme aims to improve the town's main thoroughfare and some adjacent streets.

The council says the proposals are intended to improve the public realm along Castle Street by replacing the existing kerbs and footway paving with high-quality materials.

It will also see the removal of on-street parking from Castle Street and from the Abbey Road/Castle Street junction to enable the adjacent pavements to be widened and reduce parking-related congestion on Castle Street.

Other proposals include introducing a number of pedestrian dropped kerbs along Castle Street and to reduce traffic speeds by raising the road surface at some side road junctions as well as providing two loading bays for businesses on Castle Street, together with two disabled parking spaces near to Castle Street.

It is also proposed to make Market Street one-way in a westerly direction between Castle Street and East Street and introduce a loading bay on the south side of Market Street where the temporary loading bay is currently located.

The Castle Street improvement is part of a phased-approach to improve parking and to improve walking and cycling routes in the town.

The three-week consultation exercise launches today (Tuesday, June 15) and will close on July 6.

As consultation begins the council says around 2,000 residents and businesses in the area will receive a letter briefing them on the proposals.

There will also be an information campaign on social media. 

Members of the public can have their say on the plans online and at a public exhibition which will be held on Castle Street near to the Town Hall between Monday and Friday, June 21 and 25 June. 

Council officers will be there to explain the scheme and county councillors will also on hand at various points over the five days. 

The council says it will visit Castle Street businesses during week commencing June 21 to give them the opportunity to discuss the proposals with officers.

Plans will also be on display in the windows of the former bar within the Royal Hotel at the corner of Castle Street and Bridge Street for the three of the consultation.

A further briefing by officers will take place at the Town Council meeting this evening.

Cllr Brian Jones, Denbighshire County Council’s Lead Member for Waste, Transport and the Environment, said: “For the past three years the council has been working closely with the Llangollen 2020 group to develop these proposals.

“We want as many members of the community to have their say on the latest plans for the project

“Funding is in place to deliver the scheme in the autumn and winter of 2021-22. However, no final decision has yet been taken by the council on whether to proceed with the scheme as this will be dependent upon the outcome of the consultation with any final decision on the scheme being made by the council’s cabinet.

“We are also aware of concerns raised regarding the acacia tree located near the Town Hall. The current situation is that the condition of the tree is still being assessed by tree experts and no decisions have yet been made about its future.”

At a media briefing session last Friday, Cllr Jones told llanblogger the results of the public consultation will be taken fully into consideration by the council’s cabinet before it makes the final decision on whether the scheme goes ahead.

He added: “Weight will be given to the public feedback and we therefore want as many people as possible to engage with us and let us know their views.

“Given the size and cost of the project it is only right that the cabinet makes the final decision on it.”

If 2020 gets the green light from the cabinet Cllr Jones said work will start on creating the new town centre environment in early September this year with completion expected by next spring.

Traffic and road safety manager for Denbighshire, Mike Jones, said construction would be co-ordinated with possible work on Llangollen bridge by the county and Dwr Cymru, with close liaison taking place throughout the project with shops and businesses in the affected area to minimise disruption.

* You can have your say on the plans at https://countyconversation.denbighshire.gov.uk/project/600. Paper copies of the online questionnaire will be available at the public exhibition and can also be requested by contacting the Council on 01824 706000. 

Pop-up waste service resumes at the Pavilion

* The Pavilion car park where the waste service is resuming.

The free pop-up garden waste collection from Llangollen Pavilion, cancelled due to the pandemic, will resume its weekly slot over the summer as from this Saturday, June 19, with bookings being taken from the beginning of this week.

This means that the frequency of the pavilion pop-up service will now resume to pre-pandemic levels, according to Llangollen's two county councillors Graham Timms and Melvyn Mile.

In a joint comment they say: "We have also been assured that extra flexibility has been added to the pop-up service to make sure that it will be able to meet the demand for both the garden waste and the full recycling facilities.

"An appointment will be required, in common with all other Denbighshire recycling sites."

Service provision will be:

* First and third Saturday of the month, 9-11am garden waste only

* Second and fourth Saturday, 9-11am, full household recycling service including garden waste

* Fifth Saturday, no service

Appointments can be booked online at www.denbighshire.gov.uk or by phone: 01824 706000)

Direct link to the booking line is: https://hwrc-booking.denbighshire.gov.uk/renderform.aspx?t=2&k=82D29A1F86C4FD76CF9B71ED826470AFBBD1CB81&lang=en-GB

Public views sought on lighting in the great outdoors

* Castell Dinas Bran by night.

A public consultation has been launched on the affects lighting has on the great outdoors around Llangollen.

Denbighshire County Council in partnership with Flintshire County Council, Wrexham County Borough Council and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) are seeking views on a draft Supplementary Planning Guidance note (SPG) for lighting in the AONB.

The SPG will provide advice and guidance for developers and others on good lighting design in the AONB which is designated as a landscape of national importance and the main aim is to conserve and enhance its natural beauty.

One of the recognised special qualities of the AONB is its tranquil nature, which includes the opportunity to experience dark night skies. 

The area has some of the darkest skies in Wales and the draft SPG seeks to conserve and enhance this special quality by providing guidance for developers and others on dark sky friendly lighting design.

When approved by each of the Local Planning Authorities the SPG will be a material planning consideration in determining planning applications and appeals.

Cllr Tony Thomas, Chair of the AONB Joint Committee, said: “The Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB is one of Wales’ most cherished landscapes. The area enjoys some of the darkest skies in Wales and provides opportunities to experience the wonders of a dark night sky.

“The SPG will help to conserve and enhance this special quality by raising awareness of the issue and promoting dark sky friendly lighting design.  We want to know what you think, and I would encourage as many people as possible to take part in the consultation process and to have their say on the draft SPG before the deadline on August 9.”

The three Local Planning Authorities and the AONB are keen to hear from a wide range of statutory and non-statutory organisations, town and community councils, voluntary groups and the general public as well as local planning consultants and agents. 

Comments should be forwarded to Denbighshire County Council who are coordinating the consultation on behalf of the three Local Planning Authorities and the AONB. 

Comments should be submitted by 5pm on August 9 using one of the following methods:

* By e-mail to: clwydianrangeaonb@denbighshire.gov.uk

* Via the Denbighshire Consultation Portal, or in writing to Huw Rees, Countryside and Heritage Services Manager, Planning, Public Protection and Countryside Services, PO BOX 62, Ruthin LL15 9AZ 

Any queries relating to the draft SPG or the consultation can be directed to the following contacts at each of the Local Planning Authorities:

* Denbighshire: planningpolicy@denbighshire.gov.uk phone: 01824 706916

* Flintshire: developmentplans@flintshire.gov.uk phone: 01352 703213

* Wrexham: planning_policy@wrexham.gov.uk phone: 01978 298994

* AONB Partnership: clwydianrangeaonb@denbighshire.gov.uk  phone: 01824 712735 

The document can be viewed on the Denbighshire, Flintshire, Wrexham or AONB websites and hard copies are available for inspection at Denbighshire’s public libraries.