Senedd Member warns of potential chaos over overnight A5 closures

* The A5 leading into the retaining wall roadworks.

Overnight closures of the A5 into Llangollen could mean chaos if a diversion route is unexpectedly shut too.

That's the warning from North Wales Senedd Member Llyr Gruffydd.

As revealed by llanblogger, it has been announced by Traffic Wales that ongoing work to strengthen retaining walls on the A5 to the east of the town will lead to a section of the trunk route being closed in both directions between tomorrow (Monday, April 4) and Saturday, April 9, between 7pm and 6am each night.

This will allow contractors to resurface the carriageway before the work is completed on April 14.

Diversions will be in place via the A483 and A539, according to Traffic Wales.

But Llyr Gruffydd says: "There have been plenty of warnings about the lack of alternatives to the A483 since the Newbridge road was closed due to a landslip 15 months ago. 

"This night-time road closure in and out of Llangollen on the A5 could mean chaos if the A483 is closed due to an unexpected incident or bad weather."

He added: "Both Wrexham Council and the Welsh Government have been saying that work is ongoing on finding funding for the B5605 through Newbridge.

"I would suggest that there needs to be a greater degree of urgency about their work as local communities are suffering the consequences. 

"We recently saw gridlock in Llangollen due to a bridge strike and the nature of the Vale of Llangollen means there are very few crossing points for the Dee. 

"I would urge the Welsh Government to urgently respond to the business case submitted by Wrexham Council with a view to commencing work on re-opening the B5605. That would avoid gridlock problems along the Dee valley and provide a much-needed relief road for the A483."

Traffic Wales says it would not have been possible to carry the work on the A5 under the usual lane closures due to the narrowness of the road at this point.

It adds that overnight working could result in higher levels of noise for which it apologises in advance.

Organisers inundated with entries for Llangollen Round Challenge

Entries for the 4^th Llangollen Round Challenge are going really well, according to organisers.

They say they have already had more that last time with two months still in hand before the sponsored 35-mile hike is due to take place over two days on May 28 and 29.  

A spokesperson said: "What should we do? We can’t cater for too many. Stretching a point, we’ve decided to accept 100 more entries, and when those places are gone, the line must be drawn. You can keep updated on Facebook.

"We’re really excited about the way things are going, and we’re grateful to have had so much help from companies like Hafren Dyfrdwy, Arla Cheese, 9 Bran Food, Tesco and local supermarkets.  

"We’ll be needing a lot of food to cater for so many walkers at the stations around the course, so nearer the time, we’ll be asking if folk could actually bake a cake for us. One of our walkers last time said the Challenge was fuelled by home-made cake!.

"We would be very grateful for that, as we would for any other donations of biscuits, fruit, sweets etc.  Whatever is given means we don’t have to buy that from Cancer Research UK funds, which is brilliant. 

"Thank you, everyone, for your support of the Challenge. We couldn’t appreciate it more. Hopefully we can beat the sum raised for Cancer Research UK in 2018, which was £66,000."

Work planned on 2020 project from Monday

Work on the Llangollen 2020 project for the week ahead is:

• Finish the Yorkstone paving up the east side of the bridge and onto Mill Street
• Install drainage on Mill street / Abbey Road (north side)
• Install kerbs on Abbey Road / Mill Street (north side)

Chance for dream drive of historic engine at Llangollen Railway

Llangollen Railway is set to make many young boys' dream of being an engine driver come true over the next couple of months.

Its Driver-for-a-Fiver experience will allow budding Casey Joneses to take the controls of a vintage diesel engine for a short chug on the famous Dee Valley line.

The mighty machine they'll be driving is a 66 year-old shunting locomotive that can usually be found doing unglamorous jobs like moving locomotives and carriages around in sidings.

The Class 08 diesel-electric engine number 13625 affectionately nicknamed 'Gronk' due to the distinctive noise made by its 350hp English Electric diesel engine, was built in 1956 at Derby Locomotive Works. 

The 08 will also be working a new and shorter shuttle service between Llangollen and Berwyn Stations, which will run in-between the three daily steam and diesel trains that run between Llangollen and Carrog.

The novel new services are the brainchild of Mike Williams, a longstanding volunteer guard and Board Member for Operations at the railway.

He said: “I’ve spent a lot of time working on the 08 over the last year. The old girl really has been invaluable to us, shunting our yards and also hauling the works trains to get our railway back in business. 

"It’s a popular loco that doesn’t get much use on public trains and we’re often asked when there might be a chance to sample a ride behind it. Well, now people can – and they can even have a go at driving it too!”

Driver-for-a-Fiver will run in Llangollen station and allow those over 12 - under 16s must be accompanied by an adult - the chance to drive the locomotive for a short distance along the platform and back. 

The experience is available between 11:20-12:05, 13:15-14:15 and 15:35- 16:15. Tickets can be purchased on the day. 

With a return journey time of 50 minutes, the Berwyn Shuttle allows those looking for a shorter trip the chance to travel to the beautiful Berwyn station in the scenic Dee Gorge. 

There is a station tearoom and it is also possible to take a walk to the Chain Bridge or nearby Horseshoe Falls and return back to Llangollen on a later train if desired. 

Departures from Llangollen are 10:20, 12:15, 14:30 & 16:30, with returns from Berwyn at 10:50, 12:16, 12:45, 14:26, 15:00, 16:31 & 17:00. 

Tickets cost £8.50 for adults, £5 for a child and £7.50 for seniors, purchasable from Llangollen station on the day. 

Mike added: “The rolling stock the shuttle will use is also interesting and quirky, adding a bit of character to the experience. 

"There is a converted open freight wagon, which has seating and a canopy. Travelling in this is a real outdoor experience and you’ll be able to hear the river as well as see it. 

"There is covered accommodation for the less adventurous – a converted LNER pigeon van, which is fully enclosed but with nice, large windows. This vehicle is nearly 100 years old and was built to carry racing pigeons around the country. 

"Don’t worry though, it’s had a lot of work done on it since then to make it suitable to carry people, including those who have mobility issues."

The events will run in April on Sat 9th & Sun 10th , Sat 16th , Sun 17th & Mon 18th , Sat 23rd & Sun 24th and Sat 30th. In May they will run on Sun 1st & Mon 2nd.

Bryn Collen children take part in Big Walk and Wheel

* All this week children from Ysgol Bryn Collen have been joining in with the 2022 Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel event.

This year over 2,400 schools from across the UK are taking part, including Bryn Collen which invited all its children to either walk to school, from the green by Pengwern park, or head in by cycle or scooter from St Collen’s church car park each day from Monday to Friday. 

Almost 800,000 youngsters have been involved in what is the largest inter-school walking, wheeling, scooting and cycling challenge which aims to inspire pupils to get active of their school run.

A spokesperson for Bryn Collen said: "The Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel to School week has been successful so far with over 150 pupils taking part.

"They either walked from the green in Pengwern or cycled/scooted from St Collen’s Church."

MS calls for action to secure future of religious buildings

* St Collen's is one of Wales's most famous religious buildings.

North Wales Senedd Member Sam Rowlands is calling for urgent action to secure the future of religious buildings in Wales. 

Mr Rowlands, who is  trustee of a local church in the region, was responding to a Senedd debate on religious buildings, which received Welsh Government and cross-party support.

 

He said: “It is extremely concerning that we continue to see the closure of religious buildings up and down Wales, and I am sure all members will agree that faith is an important aspect of Welsh life.

“Religious buildings are often the heart of communities, and, at times, bring all parts of our community together. Even for non-believers, faith is what many people reach out to in times of need. 

“While these buildings are merely structures to hold the church, the significance is beyond bricks and mortar it is what they represent."

He added: "These buildings often hold important family and community memories of celebration, memories of grief, and every emotion in between. 

"They have also been the gathering place through generations, the support in dark times and good times, and I argue they will need to be in place for future generations too. 

“But, sadly, as we know, the future of many buildings of religion and of faith across Wales is not secure. This is also sadly the case in my own region of North Wales, with many important buildings having an uncertain future. 

"For example, St Mary's cathedral in Wrexham, a Grade ll listed building, is currently facing a worrying time with the cathedral hall needing a full refurbishment and the heating system needing to be replaced. Also coming to mind is Llanrhychwyn church in the beautiful Conwy valley, which many people claim is the oldest church in Wales.

“Now is the time for Welsh Government to work with all denominations in Wales to discuss the future of religious buildings, and most importantly ensure they are here to stay for our future generations.”

Overnight closures of A5 east of town announced

* The Traffic Wales notification posted by Llangollen Rural Community Council.

Fresh night-time closures of a main route through Llangollen have been announced for next week.

Llangollen Rural Community Council this morning (Tuesday) posted on its Facebook page details of overnight closures, coupled with diversions, in connection with the ongoing work to strengthen retaining walls on the A5 to the east of the town.

According to the notification from Traffic Wales, these will take place between next Monday, April 4 and Saturday, April 9 between 7pm and 6am each night.

Traffic will be diverted via the A539 and A483 and Traffic Wales warns the closures will result in potential traffic congestion on the A5 and adjacent local roads.

They say the retaining wall works, which have been going on for many months, are due to be completed on April 14 and that the closures are required to resurface the carriageway.

They add that it would not have been possible to carry this out under the usual lane closures due to the narrowness of the A5 at this point.

Traffic Wales also says the overnight working could result in higher levels of noise for which it apologises in advance.

Meanwhile, night-time closures of Castle Street, which began last night, will continue until this Friday, April 1.