Public realm improvement works for town to begin on October 4

 

* An artist's impression of how Castle Street will look when the work is finished.

Work on a major public realm improvement in Llangollen will start on Monday, October 4.

Following approval by Denbighshire County Council’s Cabinet in July 2021, the Llangollen 2020 Castle Street Improvement project is being undertaken by the council in partnership with Welsh Government and Transport for Wales.

The scheme, which involves making a number improvements along Castle Street, has been developed following extensive consultation with the local community, local county councillors and Llangollen Town Council.

Work includes:

1. Widened footways on both sides of Castle Street;
2. New footway construction using natural stone paving materials;
3. A raised junction table at the junction of Parade Street/Bridge Street/Castle Street;
4. A raised junction table at the junction of Market Street/Oak Street/Castle Street;
5. A new uncontrolled pedestrian crossing on Abbey Road near its junction to Castle Street;
6. A raised table at the existing controlled pedestrian crossing on Mill Street near its junction with Castle Street;
7. New traffic signals on the Castle Street/A5 junction;
8. Junction improvements at the Hill Street/A5 junction;
9. The resurfacing of Abbey Road / Mill Street junction & Castle Street;
10. A permanent one-way restriction on Market Street between its junctions with Castle Street and East Street;
11. New street lighting;
12. The permanent introduction of the temporary one-way restriction on Church Street (i.e. east to west vehicular flow). 

Works are expected to take up to six months to complete and a variety of different traffic management options, including temporary traffic signals and a limited number of road closures, will be used to minimise disruption.

Cllr Brian Jones, the 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.

“As an authority we have also engaged and listened to local residents, businesses and other stakeholders and where possible accommodated a number of changes which complement the overall scheme.

“I’m delighted we are now able to start the work and bring these improvements to Llangollen.

“This work provides more space for pedestrians and improved pedestrian crossing facilities making it easier for pedestrians to walk around the town centre, while upgraded traffic signals will improve the flow of vehicles.”

A Parry Construction Co Ltd has been appointed as principal contractor for the work.

The council says it will work closely with local businesses and residents throughout the project to ensure any disruption is minimised and any concerns or issues are identified and addressed as soon as possible.

The Llangollen 2020 Castle Street scheme will take place at the same time as Welsh Government’s on-going retaining wall stabilisation works located on the A5, towards Llangollen Golf Club, and the council says its officers are working closely with the Trunk Road Agency and Welsh Government to coordinate traffic management operations so disruption is minimised.

County secondary schools to take extra Covid-19 precautions

Secondary schools in Denbighshire are to take extra precautions to reduce the spread of Covid-19.

Due to an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases associated with schools, learners and staff will be undertaking further measures to help control the spread of the virus.

This includes continuing to encourage pupils and staff to take twice weekly LFD tests to help identify and isolate asymptomatic cases and the wearing of face coverings by secondary school pupils, staff and visitors in indoor communal areas outside of the classroom.

Other arrangements include reducing close interactions between staff and learners such as physical distancing and seating plans in place in classrooms.

The council continues to monitor the situation in primary schools and is following the advice of Public Health Wales, but no further measures are being taken at this time.

Cllr Huw Hilditch-Roberts, the council’s Lead Member for Education, Children's Services and Public Engagement, said: “With cases of Covid-19 increasing nationwide we are taking further precautions to reduce the spread of the virus in school settings.

“These measures are being taken to reduce disruption to pupils’ education and to reduce impact on staffing levels and protect pupils and staff.

“I would like to reassure parents and carers, learners and staff at our schools that we will continue to monitor the situation and take action to help keep schools safe when required.

“On behalf of the Council, I would to thank school staff and parents for their dedication and hard work in keeping our pupils safe and providing them with the support they need.”

Businesses rally to support firefighters' fundraiser

* Firefighters battle the blaze on the Horseshoe Pass in August of 2019.

A host of local businesses are backing a major fundraising event being run by Llangollen firefighters.

This coming Saturday, September 25, the fire station on the A5 is hosting a carwash in aid of two good causes - Melanoma Focus, which is applying cutting edge treatment for the condition, and their own firefighters' charity.

Alongside the event they are also holding a raffle which is being arranged for them by Cat Meade, who set up and ran the local Covid support group during the pandemic raising cash to keep it going by staging a series of highly successful raffles of her own.

On her Llangollen Raffles Facebook page Cat recently asked for donations of prizes for the firefighters' raffle and says she is delighted with the response.

Businesses that have donated so far include Riverbanc, Llangollen - White Water Rafting, Llangollen Oggie Shop & Fine Foods, Gwalia Classics, Dylan Armon Enterprises Bicycle Shop, Wingetts Ltd of Wrexham and Llangollen, Cambrian House Llangollen, @llangollen brownie queen, Llangollen barber shop, Jade's beauty bay, Kelly's Chippy, Plas Newydd and Dee Valley Produce.

When announcing her support for the firefighters' fundraiser Cat reminded people of the good work they do for the community.

She said: "I cast your mind back to August 2019 when Llantysilio Mountain went ablaze up on the Horseshoe Pass.

"I, with many locals, set up a donation bank while our local guys and girls were amongst the heat and smoke for 10-plus hours a day, fighting it day and night for a solid three weeks!

"They assist daily, in Llangollen and further afield, a great team and a great addition to the town."

Cat has been asking businesses for donations/vouchers and she added: "A bottle donation or money donation can be gifted at Wingetts office Wednesday to Friday, 10am-2pm.

"The raffle will run at the end of the month, all monies raised will be split between the two charities. It will be live on Llangollen Raffles page."

Mazda's premium load lugger gets some neat tweaks

Mazda CX-5 drive by Steve Rogers

Mazda's top selling CX-5 is to get a big facelift in the new year which tells us why this year's updates were fairly modest.

One theory was that the company was focussing on its hybrid/electric programme which is in full swing, but there will be 'significant' changes to the big SUV which will benefit from the new Skyactiv platform so we can expect improvements to ride comfort and handling, along with small styling changes, more models and, most significantly, drive mode selection.

Mazda clearly has its eyes set on the premium end of the market and has been knocking on the door for a while with regular upgrades to trim quality and technology but has never offered the option to switch drive modes, a given on Audi, Jaguar/Land Rover, BMW and Mercedes SUVs.

In the meantime the current CX-5 is still the company's global best seller and in the UK second to my favourite, the CX-30. Unlike some of its Japanese rivals Mazda is sticking with a diesel variant which should see it through to E day in 2030 and that is good news for those with trailers and caravans.

CX-5 can haul just over two tonne with ease with the most powerful version pumping out a healthy 181hp and with its taught sporty suspension is an ideal tow car, stable and with strong pulling power. I towed my caravan more than 300 miles and returned 26.3mpg which is nothing special but about average for a four wheel drive with a lot of power.

Driven solo the Mazda is more impressive than some diesel rivals returning 51mpg on a leisurely 100 mile Sunday afternoon drive so a daily average in the low forties should be achievable.

The numbers and standard of SUVs has grown and grown in the last 10 years and CX-5 comfortably makes it into the top 10. As a driver's car it gets high marks for handling with little of the body roll associated with these high siders although the Seat Tarraco featured here a few weeks ago just has the edge on that front.

The ride is generally smooth but there is too much road noise of rougher surfaces, a problem we are told, is being addressed on the new model.

The story is good inside as well with room for five adults and a flat boot floor than swallows plenty of luggage or a couple of adult bicycles without having to remove the front wheels. Levers in the boot side walls drop the seat backs which are split 40-20-40 and if you are high enough up the model range the tailgate is powered.

Dashboard layout is conservative compared to the futuristic designs in some rivals but it is neat, tidy, and user friendly with a new 10.2in central touchscreen which, heavens be praised, still has the rotary controller to scroll through the menus.

Mazda has always been ahead of the game with a driver head-up display and this one is spot on with speed, speed limit, navigation directions and a brilliant blind spot alert beamed on to the windscreen rather than the old fashioned flip up plastic panel which is still being used by some manufacturers.

The  display's blind spot markers change colour when a vehicle is overtaking and work in tandem with the audible warning and orange alert on the door mirrors and deserves an A star.

Equipment level is generous from the base model and there are plenty of bells and whistles at Sport grade with a powerful 10 speaker Bose sound system, powered front seats with memory for the driver, heated front seats and steering wheel and power tailgate on a long spec sheet.

Something that hasn't changed since CX-5 first appeared in 2012 are the compliments for its elegant lines, not easy to achieve in a bulky SUV but Mazda designers pull it off with every model these days and there were plenty of admiring comments for my test car. Wisely styling changes next year are subtle so expect more of the same but better.

Fast facts

CX-5 Sport Auto AWD

£36,385

2.2 litre turbo diesel; 181bhp

0-62mph 9.6secs; 129mph

42.8mpg combined

173g/km. 1st VED £870

Insurance group 23

Boot 494-1608 litres

Army called in to help ambulance service with Covid effort

The Welsh Ambulance Service is seeking to re-enlist military support to assist with its Covid-19 effort.

The Trust has submitted a request for additional support to Welsh Government under the Military Aid to the Civil Authorities (MACA) arrangement.

If approved, it will be the third time that soldiers have supported the service through the pandemic.

Chief Executive Jason Killens said: “Covid-19 has presented a challenge like no other, but the last couple of months in particular have meant significant and sustained pressures on our ambulance service.

“The Trust is starting to return to some of the arrangements we had in place at the height of the pandemic to better manage the increase in Covid-19 related activity that we’re feeling the impact of once again.

“As part of this, we’re seeking to re-enlist the military, who did a superb job of assisting us on two occasions previously last year.

“Winter is our busiest time, and this will enable us to get a head start on what we foresee will be a tough period, especially when you couple Covid-19 demand with seasonal flu and our usual winter pressures.

“This is about bolstering our capacity as far we can and putting us in the best possible position to provide a safe service to the people of Wales.”

More than 200 British Army soldiers have already assisted the Trust’s Covid-19 effort by driving and decontaminating ambulance vehicles as part of Operation Rescript.

Among them were 90 soldiers from 9 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps, who were enlisted on Christmas Eve at the height of the second wave of the pandemic.

More broadly, more than 20,000 military personnel have been supporting public services across the UK during the pandemic as part of a ‘COVID Support Force’.

A spokesperson for Joint Military Command Wales said: “Defence remains ready to offer support to civil authorities in the UK and we will work with the Welsh Government and the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust to understand their requirements and offer assistance where appropriate.

“Since March 2020, Defence has supported more than 450 Military Aid to Civilian Authority (MACA) requests as part of the Covid Response Force.”

What happens now planters are going - councillors explain

 

* Town councillor John Palmer watering the begonias in Castle Street for the last time.

Llangollen's two county councillors, Graham Timms and Melvyn Mile, have issued a statement to coincide with today's removal of the social-distancing planters from Castle Street and Abbey Road:

"Thanks to John Palmer from Graham and Mel

The process of removing the covid 19 changes in Castle Street will begin today (Wednesday). 

We’d like to say a huge thank you to John Palmer who has for the last few months been caring for and watering the begonias every morning.

The flowers have really brightened up Castle Street and made it one of the most attractive covid schemes in Wales. 

We’d also like to thank Wayne and David from Dee Valley Fruit and Veg who helped John and provided the water and a hose! 

Thanks also to the businesses on Castle Street and the short street by Stan’s who helped out. 

The planters are not being thrown away, but will be reused in the future at other locations nearby.

Free Parking in Market Street Car Park

To compensate for the eventual loss of parking on Castle Street there are now 14 designated bays for free parking in Market Street Car Park. 

Four are disabled parking spaces (free for 2 hours) and 10 general spaces (maximum 1 hour) free for one hour. 

They are along the back wall between Capel Sion going towards Dee Valley Vets and are clearly marked. The intention is to encourage free short stay parking for those wishing to 'pop and shop' locally in the town.

October start for construction for Llangollen 2020 Scheme

Construction will begin in earnest in early October, starting at the Abbey Road/Castle Street junction and gradually moving southwards up Castle Street over the winter. Improvements will include:

·     * Widening of pavements,

·     * Making raised bed crossing points to make it safer to cross the road and slow down the traffic,

·     * Widen the road slightly to allow for extra room for vehicles to pass,

·     * New traffic lights at the A5 junction to be more reactive to real-time traffic conditions,

·     * Adding  decent sized tree to stand alongside the existing tree by the town hall,

·     * Using high quality materials including York Stone pavers and Berwyn Slate from the Horseshoe Pass,

·     * Adding uncontrolled crossing points around the town,

·     * Reconfiguration of the area outside the Old Lock-Up to make the junction less confusing and create extra space for pedestrians.

·     * Retaining the one-way section of Market Street.

The scheme is designed with pedestrians in mind to ensure that the town centre is an even more attractive place to spend time. Major consultations have taken place over the last three years and the final scheme has been modified to respond to your opinions.

There will be disruption during the construction, but the aim is to ensure that the town can continue to be vibrant with all businesses able to trade during construction. 

The work will be completed by the end of March 2022 at a cost of £1.75million, mostly paid through grant funding from the Welsh Government and by Denbighshire County Council."

Resurfacing work on A483 planned for October

Essential resurfacing work is to take place on the A483 in Wrexham between Junction 6 Gresford and Junction 7 Rossett between October 11 and 14.

The main works will be carried out under contraflow which will allow the A483 to remain open to one lane of traffic in either direction. 

This will enable the works to be carried out on the closed carriageway efficiently and safely. 

There will be full overnight closures at certain times within the programme, to enable the installation and dismantling of the traffic management system.

Traffic Wales says the project will address the deteriorating condition of the carriageway to eliminate the current ongoing and increasing requirement for reactive repairs. 

This will ultimately mean less disruption for motorists in future and will deliver a safe, quiet, high-quality road surface for many years to come.

A483 Northbound works between between junction 7 Rossett to junction 6 Gresford

Overnight full carriageway closure from October 11th-14th for 3 nights, October 23rd to 25th for 2 nights and October 28th for 1 night.

Daytime lane closures from October 11-13th for 2 days

Contraflow (all traffic on southbound carriageway) from October 14th-28th. Apart from overnight on October 23rd and 24th.

Overnight closure on Junction 6 Gresford northbound onslip and offlsip from October 11th-14h for 3 nights. 24h closure on on Junction 6 Gresford northbound onslip and offlsip from October 13th-28th

A483 Southbound works between junction 6 Gresford to Junction 7 Rossett

Overnight full carriageway closure from October 29th-30th for 1 night, November 11th-13th for 2 nights.

Daytime lane closures on October 29nd and November 12th

Contraflow (all traffic on northbound carriageway) from October 30th to November 11th.

24h closure on Junction 6 Gresford southbound onslip and offlsip from October 29th to overnight on November 13th. No closure during the daytime on November 12th

* For further information, please contact Traffic Wales on 0300 123 1213 or via Twitter @TrafficWalesN

Diversion route