MP highlights importance of step-free Ruabon station

* Simon Baynes MP speaking at the Westminster Hall debate. 

Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes has highlighted the importance of step-free access at Ruabon Railway Station.

He spoke during a Westminster Hall debate on the importance of North Wales transport infrastructure.

Minister for Railways in the Department for Transport, Huw Merriman, attended the debate and said he looked forward to visiting Ruabon with Mr Baynes. 

This follows a visit by the former Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps, to Ruabon Station last year.

Speaking in the debate, Mr Baynes said: “I am very pleased that in September this year, following the Department for Transport’s call for nominations, Ruabon was nominated, along with my written support, for inclusion in the next round of the Access For All programme, Control Period 7, which I understand will begin in April 2024 and last for five years.”

He said later: “I was very pleased to raise the importance of step-free access as Ruabon Station directly to the Transport Minister recently, and to invite him to visit the station with me later in the year where I will make the positive case for step-free access, which will allow all passengers to access the jobs and leisure opportunities, making our community an even greater place to live and work. 

"Many representatives, organisations and residents in Ruabon have been campaigning for step-free access at Ruabon Station for several years and I was very pleased to be able to highlight the importance of our campaign to UK Government representatives in person.”

Roadworks planned for Regent Street

Latest local roadworks alert from one.network is:

Regent Street, Denbighshire 27 November - 27 November   Roadworks, Delays likely   Traffic management: Traffic control (two-way signals)   Description: REPLACE TEMPORARY REINSTATEMENT WITH PERMANENT...   Works location: OUTSIDE NUMBER 20   Public facing description: Wales & West Utilities Ltd has not assigned a specific description to this Works. Please note: Works Descriptions are not published by Wales & West Utilities Ltd.   Responsibility for works: Wales & West Utilities Ltd   Current status: Planned work about to start   Works reference: XY254004000173258

Free After Three Christmas parking scheme launched

* Market Street, Llangollen is one of the local car parks included in Free After Three until December 31.

As part of its annual #lovelivelocal campaign, Denbighshire County Council will once again be offering free parking in its car parks after 3pm until December 31.

The #lovelivelocal campaign encourages more people to shop locally and support local traders and businesses, and the council’s ‘Free After Three’ initiative will provide free parking in most council-run car parks, including four in Llangollen.

The campaign aims to encourage people to spend their money in Denbighshire, whilst encouraging shoppers and businesses to use their social media channels to share their positive experiences using the #lovelivelocal hashtag – the more people are out and about doing their shopping, and telling everyone about it, the better the atmosphere for everyone as Christmas approaches.

Car parks included in the initiative are:

Llangollen: East Street, Hall Street, Market Street, Mill Street

Corwen: Green Lane car park

Denbigh: Barkers Well Lane car park, Crown Lane car park, Factory Ward, Post Office Lane, Vale Street

Prestatyn: King's Avenue, Lower High Street, Prestatyn railway station

Rhuddlan: Parliament Street

Rhyl: Central, Morley Road, Rhyl library (disabled bays only), Rhyl railway station, Sky Tower car park, Rhyl Town Hall, West Kinmel Street. Morfa Hall private car park, Rhyl, is not included in the initiative.

Ruthin: Crispin Yard (Cae Ddol), Dog Lane, Market Street, Park Road, Rhos Street, St Peter's Square, Troed y Rhiw

St Asaph: Bowling Green

Cllr Barry Mellor, lead member for environment and transport, said: “Free After Three has proved popular in previous years because it is a great scheme that enables residents to support their local communities, and every little helps with the current cost of living issues faced by all of us.

“We hope that everyone supports our local high streets and back our businesses, especially in the run-up to Christmas and take full advantage of the benefits of the scheme by using the county’s town centre car parks free of charge.”

* For further information visit: Free parking after 3pm | Denbighshire County Council

Officer injured after police car in A539 collision

The Denbighshire Free Press is reporting that an officer was taken to hospital after a collision involving a police car in Trevor yesterday (Tuesday).

* For the full story, see: Trevor: Officer taken to hospital after crash involving police car | Denbighshire Free Press

Sion Corn snapped on his way to Christmas Festival

* Narrow boat: OK if the canal doesn't freeze over.

* Tuk tuk: Think Rudolf may be faster.

Sion Corn has been spotted by local photographers on a number of occasions over the past couple of days trying out different ways of getting to Llangollen in time for the big Christmas Festival on Saturday November 26. 

Bronwen and Mayuri  have caught sight of him at the Horseshoe Falls, attempting to board a tuk tuk and a canal narrow boat. 

We’re not sure which one he settled on in the end but he guarantees he’ll be there to help people enjoy all the festival fun in just over a week’s time.

The popular festival makes a welcome return the Saturday after next after a three-year break due to the pandemic.

A spokesperson said: "We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible to mark the start of the town’s seasonal preparations. 

"There will be a Grand Parade starting from the Pavilion ground at 1pm and proceeding to the Town Hall for the official opening where Sion Corn - the Welsh Father Christmas - will stay for the afternoon to meet and greet as many of his friends as wish to do so at the start of his busiest part of the year.

"There will be lots to do for children old and young and a wide range of seasonal treats and activities.

"At the end of the afternoon there will be the usual firework display at which time the town's Christmas lights will also be switched on.

"Sion Corn will once again be dressed in his traditional green as he makes his preparations and is already planning his visit. 

"After three years he has lots to do as he decides how to make the journey as rapidly as possible." 

Roadworks planned for Berwyn Street

Latest local roadworks alert from one.network is:

Berwyn Street, Denbighshire 24 November - 30 November   Roadworks, Delays unlikely   Traffic management: No carriageway incursion   Description: SUPPLY TO FEED CABINET FOR CARPARK EV CHARGER - EXCAVATE MAINS BREECH JOINTBAY AND 7M TRACK IN FOOT...   Works location: Outside Bronallt   Public facing description: one.network has automatically assigned a category of Unclassified works to this Works based on the information available. Please note: Works Descriptions are not published by SP Energy Networks.   Responsibility for works: SP Energy Networks   Current status: Planned work about to start   Works reference: GY0022101135295

Llangollen Railway features on TV's Antiques Road Trip

* Railway chairman Phil Coles, centre, with Gethin Jones and Irita Marriott after their trip to Carrog. Picture by Llangollen Railway.

Llangollen Railway will be featuring on Celebrity Antiques Road Trip this evening (Tuesday).

The heritage attraction will be spotlighted on the show which will be broadcast on BBC2 at 8pm. 

The programme sees celebrities and antiques experts set off on a road trip around the UK searching for treasures and competing to make the most money at auction.

On this episode, presenter Gethin Jones and TV doctor Xand Van Tulleken battle to hunt out the finest antique treasures as they cruise across the Welsh border in a couple of classic American motors, guided by experts Irita Marriott and Serhat Ahmet.

Xand and Serhat discover their shared love of ceramics and set out to find the perfect piece to take to auction, while Irita hopes Gethin’s command of the Welsh language will give them an advantage. And there are mind games in the battle of the porcelain pigs. 

Taking a break from shopping, Gethin and Irita take a train ride on Llangollen Railway to Carrog to learn about Wales’s railway history.

Meanwhile, the other pair head to Chester to discover the impact the Romans had on Britain’s pottery production, and amateur potter Xand tries his hand at throwing a pot just like an ancient Roman.