Ysgol Bryn Collen to be closed next Tuesday due to industrial action

Denbighshire County Council has sent out a notification that Ysgol Bryn Collen (Primary) in Llangollen will be closed next Tuesday February 14 due to industrial action by education staff.

Dinas Bran students get taste of world of work

Ysgol Dinas Bran students got a realistic taste of the future world of work recently.

Last Friday all of the school's Year 11s undertook a mock interview with a local employer.

The school says its aim is to raise career aspirations and introduce pupils to employers who can inspire, inform and motivate them.

Over 20 employers gave up their time to participate, including Airbus Careers, SP Energy Networks, Royal Navy Recruitment, A N Richards, Kronospan, Openreach The Open University, Excel Recruitment and Careers Wales.

On its Facebook page the school says: "The day was a complete success. Thank you to all of the employers who took part and to all of our students who were a credit to themselves and the school.

"We are all very proud of them and their impeccable behaviour."

Last-ditch case made for vital A483 improvements

Labour representatives have made a final-hour plea to the Welsh Government not to ditch crucial junction improvements on the A483.

Ahead of an imminent decision over road improvements across Wales, Clwyd South MS Ken Skates has met the Minister responsible for transport, Lee Waters, to press for ‘vital’ work to go ahead.

“The Welsh Government paused work on improvements to the A483 in order to consider them in the context of the climate emergency,” said Mr Skates.

“I’ve consistently argued that the improvements are vital in reducing emissions, safeguarding pedestrian safety on nearby roads and in ensuring buses can operate reliably.

“I have met the Deputy Minister again this week to call on him and Welsh Government to do what is right for the people of Wrexham County Borough and for the environment. It is vital that junction improvements along the A483 are progressed.”

He added: “This decision will impact on the lives of people living in local villages, towns and the city of Wrexham for years to come – a green light for the improvements is essential.”

It is hoped that the go-ahead for improvements at junctions 3-6 on the A483 would open the door for further work to improve junction 1 at Ruabon – and the Halton roundabout.

Cllr Frank Hemmings, who represents Chirk North, said: “I have written to the Minister in the past regarding the A483 improvements. This road is the heartbeat of North East Wales, linking to Mid Wales and the North West of England. We are seeing long delays between Ruabon and Halton on a daily basis, with traffic queueing for some distance either way and creating even more pollution.”

Cefn Mawr councillor Derek Wright said: “I fully support Ken on demanding urgent improvements to the A483. It’s simply unable to cope with the volume of traffic now using it. When you look at the money spent on the junction of the A483-A5 just south of Oswestry, why do we have to put up with the daily congestion in both directions all the way to the Post House roundabout south of Chester?”

Cllr Gary Brown (Brymbo) added: "These improvements – especially for junction 4 – are long overdue, and remain key to unlocking the potential for sustainable growth in our communities to the west of the city centre. It’s vital that the Welsh Government plays its part in directing investment for a better future here in North Wales.”

Cllr Dana Davies, who represents Ruabon, is leader of the Wrexham Labour Group. She said: “Ken has argued all along that these improvements should go ahead, and we are 100% supportive.

“Improving junction 5 is extremely important to the delivery of the Wrexham Gateway project. Given the UK Government’s refusal to support the bid, any infrastructure improvements which can be delivered by the Welsh Government become even more vital.”

Cllr Davies added: “Not only would this project significantly enhance junctions 3-6 and alleviate the near-gridlock we see at peak times, it could then lead to work to improve junction 1 at Ruabon and the Halton roundabout. It’s crucial for our area and we are praying our pleas will be listened to.”

Llan Ramblers enjoy morning hike around Erddig

Llangollen Ramblers enjoyed the sunshine on a morning hike around Erddig last week.

* If you're interested in joining them  - and they say you'd be very welcome - contact Judy Smith on smithdinbren@gmail.com

Lexus could be hybrid for you - if you can afford it

Lexus NX 450+ drive by Steve Rogers

Car sales for the last year show we are starting to warm to hybrid and all electric power.

There is more choice and there are a few electric cars for under £30,000, still a lot of money, but it is progress. People tell me owning an electric car is appealing but are still anxious about charging away from home and that is a genuine concern

Who knows whether we will be ready for the switch over in 2030 but if I was changing cars now I would be looking at hybrid or, better still, plug-in hybrid and the car attracting the attention of those with enough money in the bank is the new Lexus NX 450+.

This is the first plug-in hybrid from Lexus and has left the motoring world asking why it has taken so long when parent company Toyota has more experience of alternative power than any other car company. Mitsubishi came up with a plug-in hybrid SUV eight years ago.

It’s here now and as far as electric range goes it is a world beater. With a light foot on the accelerator the NX has a range of up to 43 miles on the open road and could rise to more than 50 trundling around town. That is better than anyone, and the car self charges when the electric juice has run out. Another first.

NX quickly became the company’s best seller after its launch in 2014 but was always behind rivals like Audi Q5 and BMW X3 when it came to driving dynamics and technology. Well watch out boys because the new model is a belter and a half. The hybrid side is one thing but Lexus has gone to town on everything, vastly improving driving pleasure while the tech upgrade outguns its rivals.

The centre piece is a 14 inch touchscreen with clear graphics and razor sharp response. Cloud navigation gives live traffic updates and is the way to go given the challenge of navigation apps on smart phones.

The number of buttons has been reduced from 78 to 45 but there are still nice tactile switches for controlling the heating or changing the radio volume. The bit I needed more time to master are the touch sensitive buttons on the steering wheel. Hover over the switch and a graphic for a particular function appears in the head up display but is so fiddly to operate I gave up.

For pure ease try the voice control which is excellent for choosing a radio station, changing the heating, selecting a navigation destination or asking for a window to be opened.

One word describes the cabin - fabulous. You are spoilt rotten in every way, even the doors release electronically but pushing a button instead of pulling a lever actually takes a little time to master.

Volvo has been my benchmark for the most comfortable seats but the NX matches the Swede here and on the safety front. The Lexus cabin feels like a fortress with so many safety features detecting potential accidents, and with sensors and cameras surrounding the car you should never be at risk of scraping any part of the body.

They have even managed to sort out lane assist which I always turn off. It is now less sensitive and will not tug the car back when moving to overtake or driving close to a verge.

NX 450 is a powerful all wheel drive five door SUV with ridiculously high economy because of its electric range but when depleted do not expect to achieve more than high thirties on petrol power.

Ok the NX 450+ is out of reach of the majority but for those who can pay this sort of money it is good value against its premium rivals and with its low emissions an absolute tax steal for the company driver.

Fast Facts

NX 450+ Takumi

£62,050

2.5 litre petrol; 305bhp

0-62mph 6.3secs; 124mph

256-313mpg combined

26g/km. 1st tax £155

Insurance group 41

Boot 545-1436 litres

Upgrade proposed for rail line through Chirk/Ruabon

* Chirk rail station.

A main rail line used regularly by Llangollen travellers could be in line for an upgrade.

Today (Friday) sub-national transport body Midlands Connect releases its Marches Road and Rail blueprint at a virtual conference.

It says the aim is to help ‘unlock the full economic potential of the Marches and Mid and West Wales.

The proposals are for a suite of upgrades for rail improvements in Herefordshire; Shropshire; and Telford & Wrekin as well as counties in Mid and West Wales. The plans have been created in conjunction with the Welsh Government.

For the Chester to Shrewsbury line, which stops at Wrexham, Ruabon, Chirk and Gobowen, Midlands Connect is proposing:

• Secure faster and a higher frequency of trains, with greater direct connectivity between Telford and Chester
• Reviews of accessibility to train stations, identifying any barriers people may have in using them for the “first and last mile” of their journey.

Midlands Connect also proposes the government support upgrades on the Birmingham – Black Country – Shrewsbury rail line as the ‘gateway’ to the Marches and Mid and West Wales.

It also recommends road upgrades for the A5 not just to improve local safety, but to enhance the longer distance role played by the A5 in connecting England to Holyhead and beyond.

It also suggests delivery of the Pant – Llanymynech bypass as soon as possible as well as the A49 corridor given its role in moving people and freight in and out of Wales.

Midlands Connect will take this blueprint to Government to ask for funding, specifically for the rail schemes as part of the Union Connectivity Review, in conjunction with the Welsh Government. Funding was set aside to progress key projects in the report, released in November 2021.

Maria Machancoses, CEO of Midlands Connect said: “This document outlines a series of road and rail projects that we believe could unlock the full economic potential of the Marches and Mid and West Wales.

“Midlands Connect has been working closely with the Welsh Government to create a plan that we will take to government in Westminster.

“All these improvements would help bind the union together but help Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin get the rail and road improvements they need.”

 

Newbridge road may be shut for another year, says BBC story

According to a story on the BBC online service, the B5605 in Newbridge may be shut another year.

* For the full story see: Wrexham: B5605 in Newbridge may be shut another year - BBC News