MS welcomes talks for direct trains from Wrexham to Liverpool

A North Wales MS has welcomed talks to establish regular direct trains between Wrexham and Liverpool. 

Ken Skates (pictured) raised the matter in the Senedd recently and was told that Transport for Wales (TfW) is working with the Liverpool City Region and MerseyRail to put on more services and remove the need for passengers to change at Bidston.

Former Transport Minister Mr Skates, who represents Clwyd South, said the move would be ‘brilliant’ for his constituents and commuters across the region. 

The UK Government has responsibility for rail infrastructure, and Mr Skates wants Tory Ministers to commit to ‘long-overdue’ investment in the North Wales network. 

“I’m really pleased to hear Transport for Wales are working with partners in Merseyside to try and deliver this,” said Mr Skates. “It would be brilliant and I’m pleased the Welsh Government has identified the Wrexham-Bidston Line as a key route for our region.”

In a letter to Mr Skates, Minister Lee Waters said: “Thank you for raising the important topic of the work Transport for Wales (TfW) are undertaking with MerseyRail.  

“I thought it would be useful to write to you, as TfW are engaging regularly with the Liverpool City Region (LCR) and on how they, and MerseyRail, can work together to deliver improvements for passengers on the Wrexham to Bidston Line. TfW have a Memorandum of Understanding in place with LCR to work collaboratively on projects that impact upon the cross-border economy. The Wrexham to Bidston Line is a key focus of this collaboration. 

“TfW are working with LCR to develop the business case for increasing the frequency of services on the line. Linked closely to this is a joint bid from TfW and LCR to the Union Connectivity Fund which aims to enable the use of MerseyRail’s brand new Stadler 777 fleet on the Wrexham to Bidston Line. The extension of these new trains would then ultimately enable direct services into Liverpool from this line rather than the current need to change trains at Bidston.  

“TfW are hopeful that they will hear the outcome of this bid in the very near future and I would be happy to provide you with an update on this once the outcome is known.” 

Mr Skates said: “It’s fantastic to see TfW and the Liverpool City Region working so closely for people both sides of the border. Cross-border relationships are so crucial for our corner of Wales in promoting economic growth and shared solutions such as this.” 

He added: “This project would be a real boost for Wrexham. Investment in rail infrastructure in North Wales is long overdue, and I urge UK Government Ministers to approve the bid.” 

Tower Road to be temporarily closed for gas main works

* The area affected by the temporary closure to traffic of Tower Road.

Denbighshire County Council has notified of a temporary traffic order closing Tower Road, Llangollen, for is entire length, from April 24-May19 to allow gas main replacement by Wales & West Utilities.

There will be a traffic diversion route along Dinbren Road, Wharf Hill, Mill Street and Abbey Road. 

The order says that pedestrian access along the road will be maintained throughout the closure period.

Police appeal for witnesses after road collision

North Wales Police have appealed for witnesses to a road traffic collision in Ruabon yesterday (Sunday) which left a motorcycle rider seriously injured.

They say: "At approximately 4.50pm on Sunday April 2 a collision occurred between a black C180 Mercedes and an orange and white motorcycle on the A5152 Ruabon Road, near the Puleston Industrial Estate.

"As a result, the rider of the motorcycle suffered serious injuries and has been airlifted to Stoke University Hospital.

"Sergeant Jason Diamond from the Roads Policing Unit, said: 'We are appealing for anyone who was in the Ruabon Road area around the time of the incident or who have dash cam footage to contact us. 

'We are also asking the rider of the second motorcycle that left the scene of the incident to contact us. We believe that this motorcycle was white, yellow and blue and neither of the riders were wearing motorcycle clothing or helmets. 

'If anyone has any information about this collision please contact us on 101 quoting incident number A047466.'”

Round Challenge's awards now on show in tourist office

* The Flame of Hope trophy and certificate are now on show in the Tourist Information Office in Castle Street. 

The Flame of Hope trophy recently awarded to the Llangollen Round by Cancer Research UK is now on display in the town's Tourist Information Office for everyone to see. 

The often gruelling 35-mile run/walk through the beautiful yet tough terrain of the hills surrounding the town was launched in 2012 by members of the Llangollen Ramblers group and is based roughly on the Alpine Walk Tour of Mont Blanc.

The amount raised for Cancer Research UK (CRUK) by the challenge has climbed steadily from £33,000 to last year's total of almost £120,000 which was boosted by government returns on charity donations.

The 2022 Round attracted over 500 entries from across the UK and abroad and saw 238 walkers or runners finishing it in a single day with another 189 completing it in two. 

In recognition of this massive cash support for CRUK and the involvement and commitment of around 100 volunteers who run the event, the Round was selected for the Flame of Hope Award.

These national awards are CRUK's annual accolades to celebrate the achievements of its most outstanding and inspiring volunteers.  

This year they received a record-breaking 835 nominations from staff and volunteers across the country.

Judith Smith, one of the Round's founders and organisers, said: "The Flame of Hope is one of several national awards made annually by the charity and we are so pleased to have won it. 

"It was presented to us at a ceremony in Manchester. If you played any part at all in the Challenge, that trophy is yours also. Go and take a look at it!

S4C highlights disagreement over Eisteddfod's motto

* The headline on the story about the Eisteddfod's motto.

A story on S4C TV's news website says Llangollen Eisteddfod has "discredited" itself by expressing the intention to change its motto, according to a letter from a number of opponents.

The full story, which appears in the Welsh language, says: 'The letter from Professor Gruffydd Aled Williams and others calls on the Eisteddfod to "refrain from any further action in terms of removing the motto" and that doing so shows a lack of "respect" for the Welsh language.

In a statement earlier in the month the Eisteddfod said that the motto "A white world will be a singing world. His poems will be civilized" will be changed by 2024.

There were concerns that part of the motto that celebrates "byd gwyn" was translated to "white world" in English. 

But the letter writers said they "absolutely reject the basis of this argument.

"Many expressions from many languages of the world could cause offense to different factions if they are translated literally and incorrectly without considering the proper methods and traditional practices of the languages from which they were translated," said the letter.

"We do not know of examples of languages where its speakers agreed to renounce the use of completely innocent and acceptable expressions because of the possibility that their literal and inadequate translation could offend someone somewhere.

"It seems, however, that the International Eisteddfod wants to make an exception for the Welsh language in this regard, subduing and degrading it compared to other languages.

"We are sorry that this case, motivated by ignorance and misunderstanding, has discredited the Eisteddfod and made it a laughing stock."

When asked on S4C News he added that he would "very much hope that no poet worth his salt would receive a commission" to create a new motto.

"This decision stems from gross ignorance of the cultural situation in Wales, and it is actually a serious cultural threat," he said.

"I wish the Eisteddfod well, but they have taken a particularly, particularly unfortunate, empty step."

Asked for a response by llanblogger, the Eisteddfod commented: "T. Gwynn Jones’ words have travelled from Llangollen around the world, spreading the Welsh message of peace, and our motto has served us tremendously well for 75 years; we are rightly proud of it in its intended meaning and translation. 

"Our current motto and much-loved shield will remain part of the Eisteddfod’s visual identity in 2023, and the Board will spend the next 5 months in consultation with our stakeholders on the best way forward for 2024 and beyond.

 

"We want to clearly state that we have not at any point implied any racism. The Eisteddfod is, and has always been, a beacon for togetherness."

And from a further update provided to volunteers and company members 23 March, the Eisteddfod added: "The Board fully recognises the original intention of the poetry, and values its significance in the Eisteddfod’s history, as well as its place in Welsh culture and tradition. The motto, which surrounds the shield, will continue to be used in 2023, on trophies, medals, on the Pavilion stage, and around the site.

"The Board is committed to involving volunteers and company members in the future decision making around the motto, following the 2023 Eisteddfod."

British Water Ski Championship regional heat coming to Llangollen.

* Top-class water-skiing could be heading for Llangollen.

Dateline: April 1

A llanblogger exclusive can report that initial ideas are being promoted to bring to Llangollen one of the regional heats of the 2023/4 British Water Ski Championships.

Group spokesperson David Davies says that our stretch of canal here in Llangollen from the Horseshoe Falls to the Llangollen Marina offers an appropriate measured distance for the event.  

He explained: "Currently used by unpowered craft, canoes and more recently paddle boarders, the route offers considerable skill tests.   

"These include even for the experienced skier the  challenges of the  narrow bridges, angled curves of the course, variable grading of the canal base and the continuous flowing current.

"Logistics at either end of the course are well provided with parking at Llantysilio Green and access to the start and parking and services at the finish in the Eisteddfod field car park adjacent to the Marina."

He added: "Detailed talks are yet to be arranged with the Canal and Rivers Trust and the British Water Ski and Wakeboard Association, but we see this new initiative as another first in promoting Llangollen and a further welcomed boost to the tourism opportunities for the town."

Minor works to start on Four Great Highways project

* The steps at Lower Dee Mill Park.

Minor works are to start in town on Monday (April 3) in connection with the Four Great Highways project.

A spokesperson for the project said: "Ground investigation works are being carried out to help us better understand the ground conditions at the Wharf and Lower Dee Mill Park in Llangollen to inform the detailed design of the project.  

"The techniques that will be used may result in intermittent noise associated with the drilling of boreholes to extract the material to be sampled.  This will involve some path closures for short periods during the week for the work to be carried out.

"The work will be limited to the following days and will take place during normal working hours.  Please note there may be some slight variation to the following schedule."

Date	Location	Disruptions / Closure
Monday 3 April 2023	Lower Dee Mill Park	Temporary closure of the path and metal stepped access will be required.   Alternative steps and access available further down Mill Street.
Tuesday 4 April 2023	Lower Dee Mill Park	Temporary closure of the path and metal stepped access will be required.   Alternative steps and access available further down Mill Street.
Wednesday 5 April 2023	Llangollen Wharf	Temporary closure of stepped access.   Ramped access will be available up to the Wharf.
Thursday 6 April 2023	Lower Dee Mill Park	No path closures

The spokesperson added: "We apologise in advance for any disruption caused and would also like to reassure you that the areas affected will be left in a safe condition once the work is complete. Thank you for your patience and understanding."