Roadworks set up at scene of electrical hatch blaze

* Roadworks around the site of the fire in the hatch on Mill Street.

Roadworks have now appeared around the site of yesterday (Wednesday) evening's fire in an electrical inspection hatch in Mill Street.

But a spokesperson for the power company carrying out the repair work says they are aiming to have the road clear again by tomorrow afternoon.

Two crews from the town's fire station were at the scene within minutes after the blaze erupted in the hatch, near to the bus stop on Mill Street (A539) just across the road from the Bridge End pub.

It is believed the fire was preceded by a large explosion which was heard across town around 7.20pm and appears to have blown the heavy metal cover off the hatch.

As firefighters tackled the outbreak using dry foam extinguishers police directed traffic around the area.

A team from the power company was also at the scene. 

* Traffic lights controlling the roadworks.

The incident coincided with a power cut affecting a number of local postcode areas, including LL208EB, LL208NU, LL208NY, LL208PN, LL208RJ, LL208RQ, LL208RY, LL208RZ, LL208SA, LL208SD, LL208SE, LL208SG, LL208SH, LL208SN, LL208SW, LL208TA, LL208TF, LL208TH, LL208UE.

A power cut warning put out by power company SP Energy Systems last night said the fault would take until at least 2am this morning to rectify. 

Today a note on the company's website said the power cut had been resolved.

The roadworks at the site, surrounding a large excavation where the hatch was located, have closed the pavement running behind the bus stop and are being controlled by temporary traffic lights at either end.

* A spokesperson for SP Energy Networks said: “There was a fault in an underground link box on Mill Street. Our engineers responded immediately and worked to swiftly and safely isolate the incident and restore supplies. 

"Our teams are onsite replacing the link box and are working hard to ensure this is done as quickly as possible to limit disruption.

"We apologise for any inconvenience and are working with our excavation service partners to ensure the works are fully reinstated and the roadworks removed by Friday afternoon.”

Council gets ready for influx of bank holiday visitors

Preparations have been made by the county council and the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB for an increase in visitors to Horseshoe Falls, Llangollen (pictured above), Moel Famau and Loggerheads Country Park this bank holiday weekend. 

They say people should check ahead to see if facilities are open and where possible access quieter sites and walks as this will help avoid busy periods and parking issues. 

It is also vital that people respect the countryside and act responsibly, this means not littering, parking sensibly and only to ride bikes on routes where cycling is permitted. 

The council has introduced a series of measures at Moel Famau and Horseshoe Falls to reduce congestion in the area. 

Drivers are also asked to park responsible or risk a fixed penalty fine as parking enforcement officers will patrol during the bank holiday. 

At Horseshoe Falls, visitors coming in on a Saturday can park in Llangollen and use the Dee Valley Picturesque Bus service - https://www.clwydianrangeanddeevalleyaonb.org.uk/projects/the-picturesque-bus/ 

Visitors can use Llangollen Railway to disembark at Berwyn Station to visit the falls from either Llangollen or Corwen. 

If the weather is dry over the weekend people ae urged not to have BBQs, camping stoves or campfires on the moorland areas of the AONB because of the significant risk of fire. 

Dog owners are also asked to act responsibly and keep their pets on leads when walking through the countryside around livestock especially as lambing season continues. 

* For more information on planning your trip ahead, visit https://www.clwydianrangeanddeevalleyaonb.org.uk/  and follow the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB on Facebook and Twitter.

 

Volunteering opportunities to be highlighted at Town Hall

Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council is hosting a Volunteer Recruitment Fair at Llangollen Town Hall on Wednesday September 20, from 10am-1pm.

Over 20 organisations looking for volunteers will have stalls with information on all the opportunities currently available.

* For further details, email: office@dvsc.co.uk

Firefighters tackle blaze in electrical inspection hatch

* Fire rages in the inspection hatch.

* A firefighter puts out the flames with an dry powder extinguisher.

* Police control traffic on Mill Street as fire engines stand by.

Fire brigade crews were in action this evening (Wednesday) when an electrical blaze broke out in an inspection hatch on one of the main roads into Llangollen.

Two crews from the town's station were at the scene within minutes after the fire erupted in the hatch, near to the bus stop on Mill Street (A539) just across the road from the Bridge End pub.

It is believed the blaze was proceeded by a large explosion which was heard across town around 7.20pm and appears to have blown the heavy metal cover off the hatch.

As firefighters tackled the outbreak using dry foam extinguishers police directed traffic around the area.

A team from the power company was also at the scene.

* Power company SP Energy Networks has put out a power cut warning for the area.

It says: "There is a power cut in the LL20 postcode area of Llangollen. Restoration is taking longer than expected because of the extent of the repairs required and our team are now working to get your electricity supply back on as quickly and as safely as possible by 2.00AM. 

"The latest updates can be found on our website www.spenergynetworks.co.uk. 

"We will update this message if this information changes. If you require any further help or support, please call us on 105. We apologise for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience."

The warning adds that postcodes affected are: LL208EB, LL208NU, LL208NY, LL208PN, LL208RJ, LL208RQ, LL208RY, LL208RZ, LL208SA, LL208SD, LL208SE, LL208SG, LL208SH, LL208SN, LL208SW, LL208TA, LL208TF, LL208TH, LL208UE

Reference Number: INCD-2085980-i

Llangollen man helps pioneer £1.5m cancer 'pre-treatment' scheme

A Llangollen man is helping to pioneer a national £1.5m campaign to help Welsh cancer patients prepare for their treatment.

Former county councillor and town mayor Stuart Davies (pictured) has been appointed as a patient and public involvement representative for Cardiff University’s new I-Prehab prehabiltation scheme.

The university’s School of Healthcare Sciences, which is running the project, says prehabilitation helps people prepare for cancer treatment through helping them to eat well, be in the best possible physical condition and supporting mental health and emotional resilience.

This, it claims, can lead to fewer treatment complications and better recovery.

The funding from the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Health and Social Care Delivery Research fund, will enable work to produce and evaluate a toolkit called I-Prehab.

This will support cancer workers to raise awareness and encourage participation in prehab services for cancer patients.

The researchers aim to work with patients, carers, cancer workers, and cancer service managers to develop the I-Prehab toolkit to overcome access barriers and provide tools to support adherence, particularly for those from socially deprived and ethnic minority communities.

Cardiff’s Professor Jane Hopkinson said: “Patients and the public will play a key role in this work. Patient and public contributors will be involved throughout the research including data analysis, design of methods, patient facing documents, impact plan and effective sharing of information.

“By working with our partner organisations, we aim to make I-Prehab available across Wales and the UK in the future.”  

Of his involvement in the project Stuart Davies said: “After being diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer 14 years ago and being chucked in at the deep end of treatment with little preparation, I realise that a concerted effort to promote prehab, driven by a concerted study, can help people on their journey to get better.

“Better understanding of the data driven by better research can deliver better outcomes.”

He added: “My job is to make sure that we in North Wales make our voice heard so that our views are taken in to account.

“As a former Denbighshire county councillor I have contacted the council and their top team officers who have promised to engage with us on this.

“Members of the public who wish to have their views known can contact me on my email address skipperstu15@gmail.com”

Ramblers hit the heights of Offa's Dyke walk

A few of Llangollen Ramblers reached the summit of Penycloddiau on their last Offa's Dyke walk.  

The next walk, on August 31, includes Moel Famau.

And, according to organiser Judy Smith, there's still time to join in. 

She said: "We'll be pleased to see you."

* For more information, email Judy on smithdinbren@gmail.com.  

Solution in the bag for town's covered-up traffic lights

                * The bagged-up traffic lights at the A5/Castle Street junction.

Transport officials have explained what is to happen with Llangollen's now-famous "bagged" traffic lights at the junction of the A5 and Castle Street.

The signals have been covered by an orange sack on the Regent Street side since a programme of improvements was carried out by the North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agent (NMWTRA) at the start of this year.

Drivers and pedestrians have complained about the confusion this has caused.

Llangollen county councillor Karen Edwards has been working on the case and has now received an update from NMWTRA.

She has been told: "As part of the review process that was initiated after the ‘bagging’ of the signal head, our designers have been reviewing the operation of the signals and tabling additional measures which the Welsh Government could consider in order to maintain safety at the junction and also assist with reducing congestion. 

"This process is now almost complete and a final set of design measures will hopefully be signed off in the coming weeks. 

"The main proposal within the design package will be the permanent removal of the signal head which is currently ‘bagged’. 

"In addition to this, a site trial of additional detection equipment will take place this week. It is hoped that this trial will determine whether above ground detection, as opposed to the conventional ‘loops’ which are located in the road surface, would benefit vehicular movements through the site. 

"Once our designers have the full results from the site trial, we will be in a position to be able to complete the design and procure an installation contractor to implement the proposed changes."