Council teams with police to control Llangollen summer parking

Council and police officers are working together to manage parking at Llangollen’s Horseshoe falls and the surrounding area this summer season. 

Denbighshire County Council and North Wales Police are urging visitors to the hotspot to park responsibly this summer and consider planning ahead to visit other attractions that are available across the Dee Valley if the area is busy. 

The council has made a number of preparations already to manage an increase in visitors. 

Extra countryside rangers are in place to manage the area and provide support and information for visitors. 

Civil enforcement officers are also monitoring the site and surrounding area, especially at predicated peak busy time. 

Work has also been carried out to add fencing to the car park entrance. The new fencing is similar to what is already found on the surrounding estate and is designed to stop parking on the grass verges which can obstruct other traffic. 

Awareness signs advising drivers to park responsibly will also be placed on the site. 

Visitors coming into the area on a Saturday can now use the Dee Valley Picturesque Bus which provides a circular route running every Saturday until November 4 2023, linking Llangollen and the surrounding villages to Horseshoe Falls and popular local attractions including Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Wenffrwd Nature Reserve, Valle Crucis Abbey, Plas Newydd Historic House and the Horseshoe Pass. 

The service will enable visitors and residents to visit and explore these locations without the need of having to constantly find car parking spaces at the sites. 

Stops include Llangollen Pavilion where there is ample parking to leave vehicles for the day. 

Councillor Win Mullen James, Denbighshire Cabinet Lead Member for Local Development and Planning, said: “We want people to enjoy the great attractions Llangollen and the surrounding areas have to offer but would remind them that parking restrictions are important for both road safety and ensuring there is a fair turnover of parking spaces. Anyone not complying with parking restrictions risk receiving a Penalty Charge Notice from civil enforcement officers.

“Our rangers are working every weekend at Horseshoe Falls to provide advice and guidance to visitors coming to the site and I would ask that the public also respect the role they are there to carry out. 

“Please plan your day in advance, use facilities such as the Dee Valley bus to travel on which will save parking spaces and make sure you have other options planned for visiting and parking if you cannot stop at your first choice of venue as the area has plenty of attractions to visit. 

“The Dee Valley also has a rich area of attractions to visit, from Llangollen right up to Corwen. I would urge visitors to plan ahead and consider all options so if the falls are busy you will not be disappointed on your day out.” 

District police Inspector Laura Salisbury-Jones said: “We will continue to work closely with Denbighshire County Council, and any danger caused by vehicles will be dealt with robustly.”

Llangollen's new park run gets glowing review from national body

 

* Run Wales's Joie Rhisiart, left, with members of the Llangollen Park Run team.

Llangollen’s new weekly Park Run has had a glowing review from a representative of national community running organisation Run Wales.

Josie Rhisiart  tagged along with a large group who took part in the fifth Saturday morning run recently.

Her visit was part of the Celebration Relay which provides all Run Wales-registered groups with the opportunity to showcase themselves, share information about their activities and encourage more people to take part in social running outside of their regular weekly park run.

In an article in the Run Wales online newsletter she wrote: “The car park in town was buzzing with park runners excitedly chatting about the event, queuing for the public loos and asking if anyone knew where the start was – it was clear that it was going to be another busy morning with visitors!

“A t 9am we shuffled along the old railway trail, with the River Dee on our right and off we went on the 5th park run event in Llangollen, which is a very pretty (and flat) out and back with one section which is repeated again towards the end of the 5k. 

“The scenery at Old Railway Trail Llangollen parkrun is a lovely mix of woodland and open spaces with far-reaching views – if you take notice, you’ll see Castell Dinas Brân high on the hill too.

“This week, the volunteer team welcomed 6 people to park run for their very first park run experience, and 9 who had been once before and come back for a second time today. Welcome to the park run family.

“Today’s most experienced park runner was James Barber of Shropshire Shufflers, who, as a member of the esteemed ‘500 Club’, chalked up his 534th park run this morning in Llangollen. An additional 19 of today’s park runners were members of the 250 Club, so there was experience galore here today.”

She went on: “Llangollen’s Old Railway Trail park run promises to be a popular destination for park run enthusiasts from near and far. Its accessibility and captivating scenery are sure to attract visitors throughout the year.  

“Old Railway Trail Llangollen, park run started on 17th June 2023. Since then 765 participants have completed 888 parkruns covering a total distance of 4,440 km, including 60 new Personal Bests. A total of 65 individuals have volunteered 96 times.”

Silver Band to play in Centenary Square on Friday evening

 

Air ambulance called to collision on the Gwernant

* A picture of the scene used by courtesy of Matthew Jordan Hughes.

Emergency services were called to a road traffic collision on the Gwernant earlier this evening (Monday).

Road ambulances were seen speeding along the A5 towards the scene just after 7pm and soon afterwards a bright yellow air ambulance also headed for the area and is believed to have landed in a nearby field.

Matthew Jordan Hughes, who has allowed llanblogger to use his picture of the incident, said on Facebook: "Everyone avoid the Gwernant either way not passable.

"Accident by the bottom police fire engine etc all there now. Hopefully everyone involved is okay."

* The air ambulance heading towards the collision scene.

Council alert about emergency closure of Hill Street

The county council has this evening (Monday) sent out a warning about the emergency closure of a local street.

It says: "Hill Street, Llangollen, has been closed by Hafren Dyfrdwy, to facilitate urgent repairs to a defect manhole cover."

 

Care home residents visited by special animal friends

The Leader is reporting how residents of a Llangollen Care Home experienced a very special visit from some furry (and not so furry) friends.

* For the full story, see: Llangollen Care Home residents welcome furry friends | The Leader (leaderlive.co.uk)

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.