Ruthin Road, Wrexham closed after police incident

 

On their Facebook page this morning (Monday) North Wales say that North Wales Police are reporting: 

ROAD CLOSURE, Ruthin Road Wrexham, from the Junction of Croesnewydd road to junction of Victoria road. Emergency services at scene, road is likely to be closed for some time.

Corwen benefits from a Levelling Up facelift

* The new Corwen station is part of the town's Levelling Up facelift.

Significant developments are taking place in Corwen town centre as a result of substantial investment from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund (LUF).

During the first round of LUF, Denbighshire County Council was successful in its joint application with Wrexham County Borough Council for the Clwyd South Constituency, which was supported by Simon Baynes MP. Denbighshire secured £3.8 million to invest in the communities of Llangollen, Llantysilio, Corwen and surrounding areas.

Following the LUF investment towards the completion of the new Corwen heritage railway station, two further projects are due to commence soon in Corwen with the aim of rejuvenating the surrounding highway area of the high street and improving town centre infrastructure.

The Council will manage a project to improve the highway and public realm within the town centre and has recently contracted Tom James Construction Services Ltd. to undertake the works, which will be completed in two phases.

The first phase of work started on Monday July 3 for two weeks on the Corwen highway improvement scheme. The scheme involves a number of improvements on the A5, surrounding high street and Green Lane car park.

There will be temporary traffic signals on the A5 and Green Lane during new pavement works and temporary pedestrian crossings will also be used to minimise disruption.

The public realm improvements will consist of a general freshen up of the current paving slabs, replacement of broken street furniture and painting of signs and metal work. There will also be installation of bollards, bins and a pedestrian guardrail as well as creating a designated area within the high street for a Christmas tree to be erected each year. This is scheduled to begin on Monday, September 4 for up to six weeks.

As part of these town centre improvements, Cadwyn Adfywio will be undertaking an external refurbishment project to preserve Canolfan Llys Owain (former HSBC bank) on the high street. This is expected to include new replacement windows, guttering and rendering. The project will improve the visual appearance of a key heritage building and safeguard it for ongoing use by the community.

The external improvements to Canolfan Llys Owain are due to start towards the end of summer 2023.

Cllr Jason McLellan, Council Leader and Lead Member for Economic Growth & Tackling Deprivation said: “We are delighted to be moving forward with these projects to help improve town centre infrastructure in Corwen. The Council will work closely with local businesses and residents throughout this process to ensure disruption is minimised and any concerns or issues are identified and addressed as soon as possible throughout the duration of the works.

“We hope that this investment in the area will help to address the needs of both residents and visitors in the South of Denbighshire.”

* You can find more information about the Levelling up Fund in Denbighshire on the Denbighshire County Council website: https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/community-and-living/community-development/levelling-up-fund/levelling-up-fund-luf.aspx

Summer Reading Challenge launches at the library

This summer, children can visit their local library in Denbighshire to join a superstar team and their marvellous mascots and get involved in a Summer Reading Challenge themed around the power of play, sport, games and physical activity. 

The challenge is called ‘Ready, Steady, Read!’ and is free to join and take part for all children.

Through taking part in the Challenge, by accessing the free bilingual materials from the library and online via the Challenge website, children will be encouraged to keep their minds and bodies active over the summer break. The characters – brought to life by children’s author and illustrator Loretta Schauer – navigate a fictional summer obstacle course and track their reading as they go, rewarded by free incentives including stickers. 

By participating in the challenge at their local library, young people will have the opportunity to explore new reading material, develop skills, and discover new interests.  

There will also be games and craft activities available in libraries during the school holidays, with more details to be found on Denbighshire Libraries’ social media channels. 

The Summer Reading Challenge has been running since 1999 and helps to improve children’s reading skills and confidence over the summer holidays, ensuring they are ready for their return to school. 

With the help of local libraries, the Summer Reading Challenge is accessible to all and provides a fun, free activity for children. In 2022, the Summer Reading Challenge reached 723,184 children and families across the UK, with 608,015 children taking part through their local library service, a 31% increase compared to 2021.

Councillor Emrys Wynne, Lead member for the Welsh Language, Culture and Heritage said: “The Summer Reading Challenge is one of the highlights of the year in our libraries, with thousands of local children taking part. The challenge helps children enjoy reading, discover new books and authors, and have fun with their friends in their local library. 

"I would encourage every family to take part this year as it’s all free, and open to everyone. Children can also keep up with their Welsh skills over the summer by borrowing and reading Welsh books from the library for the Challenge. I would also like to thank our friendly and helpful libraries staff who will be helping children get the most out of the Summer Reading Challenge again this year."

Council reminds parents of grant funding scheme

Denbighshire County Council is informing parents and guardians that they can apply for the School Essentials Grant.

The grant scheme, known as the School Essentials Grant (previously Pupil Development Grant), is open for applications, and people may qualify if they receive at least one benefit, such as: 

• Income support

• Income based job seekers allowance

• Income related employment and support allowance

• Child tax credit (but not working tax credit) with an annual income below £16,190

• Pension credit (guaranteed credit)

• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

• Universal Credit and your yearly net earnings must be no more than £7,400.

Parents or guardians who receive a qualifying benefit can receive a grant of £125 if their children are in Reception or Years 1 to 11. 

If the child is in Year 7, parents/guardians may be entitled to a grant of £200 if they receive one of the benefits. 

The grant can cover: 

•  School uniform.

•  School sports kit.

•  Kit for sports outside of school.

•  Uniform for wider activities such as Scouts and Guides.

•  Equipment for activities to support the curriculum, such as design and technology.

•  Equipment for out of school hours trips, including outdoor learning.

•  Duke of Edinburgh activities.

•  Computers, laptops and tablets. 

People cannot receive a School Essentials Grant if they are in receipt of Working Tax Credit.

If your child goes to a school in Denbighshire, you can apply online for a grant by visiting www.denbighshire.gov.uk/school-essentials-grant

People that are eligible for Free School Meals, as well as the School Essentials Grant, may use the same online application form to apply for both. 

Councillor Gill German, Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Education, Children and Families, said: “We know that families are feeling the pressure due to the cost-of-living issues and will be searching for further financial support to assist them.

"This grant funding can be a real lifeline to assist in paying for these goods."

Rotary provides poo-bag dispensers around town

 

Poo-bag dispensing boxes will be appearing in Llangollen to try and keep our environment clean.

Vale of Llangollen Rotary and the Rotary Community Team will be installing two by the river and three to near the canal thanks to sponsorship from 1st Enable Ltd in Chester.

A club spokesperson said: "We arehopeful that dog owners and indeed, non-dog owners, will put bags in when they out to help us keep them replenished so we all contribute to improving our environment."

Vale of Llangollen Rotary and Vale of Llangollen Community Team are ready to welcome individuals and couples of 18+ from the local community who want to be people of action.  

They meet face-to-face in St Collen's Community Hall in Regent Street, Llangollen on Wednesday evenings at 7pm.

* For more information, email: valeofllangollenrotary@gmail.com or see www.valeofllangollenrotary

More details of collision which left pedestrian injured

The Leader has now given an update on the incident on Castle Street on Wednesday afternoon.

Their story says: "A person was taken to hospital after a collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian in Llangollen. 

"The incident occurred on Castle Street in the centre of the town on Wednesday afternoon. 

"Police blocked the road in both directions as paramedics treated an injured person at the scene. 

"Eye witnesses stated that the pedestrian involved was an elderly lady. 

"On Thursday morning, the Welsh Ambulance Service issued an update on the incident. 

"A spokesperson said: 'We were called on July 12, shortly before 3pm to reports of a road traffic collision involving a pedestrian on Castle Street, Llangollen.'"

"We sent one emergency ambulance and one duty operational manager to the scene, where we were supported by colleagues from the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service.

"One person was taken to Wrexham Maelor Hospital for further treatment.”

llanblogger has asked the Welsh Ambulance Service about reports on social media that it took the ambulance an hour to arrive at the scene. They have so far not replied.

£300m cut poses ‘serious threat’ to canals, says MS

* Llangollen Canal could be amongst those under threat.

A funding cut of over £300m poses a “serious threat” to canals in North Wales, according to an MS.

Llyr Gruffydd, who represents the region in the Senedd, has branded the sharp reduction as “alarming” and has warned that it will lead to an “inevitable” decline in the condition of the canal network and could even result in closures.

The UK Government recently announced a long-term funding settlement for the Canal & River Trust which includes Glandŵr Cymru the Canal & River Trust in Wales, for the period from 2027 to 2037.

The network in Wales, includes the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, the Chirk Aqueduct and the 11 miles of the Llangollen canal, which have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Chirk Aqueduct and the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct were designed by renowned civil engineer Thomas Telford.

Mr Gruffydd, of Plaid Cymru, has said the “irresponsible” decision by the UK Government puts this UNESCO World Heritage site “at risk” and has called on Tory ministers to “think again”.

The amount awarded represents a steep reduction in its funding of over £300 million in real terms over the ten-year period.

The scale of the proposed cut has been projected to rise each year to reach a nearly £50m annual reduction by the end of the new grant agreement period in 2036.

It is so large that it is feared that it will inevitably mean deep cuts to canal maintenance and repair, and eventually lead to canal closures.

Llyr Gruffydd MS said: “This irresponsible decision by the UK Government presents a serious threat to the canal network in Wales.

“It should be remembered that these are historic waterways and they include a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

“The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, the Chirk Aqueduct, as well as 11 miles of the Llangollen canal are an important part of our industrial heritage in Wales, and this funding cut by the UK Government clearly puts them at risk.

“It represents almost a halving of real-terms public funding for canals in the ten years from 2027 compared with recent years. It will inevitably lead to a decline in the condition of the canal network and the alarming prospect of canal closures.

“Inexplicably, the UK Government has made this decision despite its own review confirming that funding for the Canal & River Trust is ‘clear value for money’.

“It has shown that the network of canals delivers substantial benefits to the economy, to people and communities, and to nature and biodiversity.

“The announcement risks turning back the clock on one of Wales’ greatest heritage regeneration stories and will lead to the loss of both vital nature habitat and treasured public spaces with a loss of substantial benefits for millions of people.

“To make matters worse, the decision to reduce long-term funding comes at a time when, the cost of maintaining the historic canals, locks, bridges, aqueducts, embankments, reservoirs and other critical assets is increasing.

“This is in part due to the rising impact of climate change with more periods of drought and extreme storm events.

“The canals bring the benefits of green space and nature corridors into urban areas, reaching millions of people, creating wildlife corridors, contributing to flood defences and drainage, and transferring water to support public water supply.

“Research has shown that the canals support local jobs and boost the economy. They also deliver social welfare value to people and communities including significant physical and mental health benefits.

“Tory ministers need to seriously think again about this damaging decision