Councillor demands action over "dangerous and irresponsible" Llangollen diversions

* The barrier at the Castle Street/Mill Street junction was demolished during a day of heavy traffic congestion yesterday caused by the latest diversion.

Llangollen county councillor Karen Edwards says the town cannot sustain the level of "dangerous and irresponsible" disruption caused by traffic diversions from the A483 and A5.

And she has called for a re-think of the town's traffic system in the light of recent events. 

Over the past few days Llangollen has twice been used as a diversion route after storm warnings led to the closure of the viaducts over the nearby trunk routes, causing massive traffic congestion on both occasions.

In a statement issued to llanblogger this morning (Wednesday) Cllr Edwards says: "Many residents will have been caught up in the gridlock that occurred in Llangollen last night and last week when gale force winds caused the North Wales Trunk Road Agency to close the viaducts on the A5 / A 483. 

"The closure caused all north and southbound traffic to be diverted through Llangollen and along with the resultant chaos ,damage was caused to the railings on the recently narrowed town bridge.

"There was a failure to properly manage the traffic and without question confirmation that the redesign of Castle St with the narrowing of the road renders the chosen route diversion unsuitable for HGVs.

"Attempting to safely put trunk road traffic through a road which has been redesigned for traffic calming and increased pedestrian usage didn’t work last night or at any other time these diversions are implemented. In simple terms, there is now no resilience in the highway network and the recent investment to our street scene ( like it or loathe it ) has been damaged again."

She adds: "As a resident before I was elected I challenged the design/layout prior to its implementation with the DCC officers and the DCC Head of Service responsible for the implementation and I will call for another design review of this junction and layout by DCC in light of the recent events. 

"Three years have now elapsed since the collapse and closure of the Newbridge Road. Had it been repaired this would have been the option for traffic diversion when the viaducts are closed whether due to inclement weather or any other reason.

"I would like to assure residents that I will be doing my utmost to ensure that lessons are learned at county and government level by those responsible for the glacial speed of the repair on the Newbridge Road and are fully aware that Llangollen cannot sustain this level of disruption - it's unsustainable, dangerous, and irresponsible."

* Clwyd South MS Ken Skates said: “I raised this matter with the council yet again last week. With the recent storms causing road closures, it has reiterated the urgent need for the road to be reopened and residents are getting more and more frustrated at the lack of information.

“It’s now almost two years since the Welsh Government confirmed funding of £2.8m to fix this – in addition to the grants it had already given to the council for investigations and exploratory work. People are asking me why nothing appears to be happening and where the money has gone.

“I’m sure the council is working hard on this behind the scenes, but my constituents need answers."

Wrexham ignores llanblogger request for Newbridge update

* More traffic congestion came to Llangollen town centre yesterday after the second closure of the A483 viaducts within days. Picture by Cath Miller.

UPDATE:

Wrexham Council sent its response at around 4.30pm Wednesday. See foot of story...

Wrexham Council has so far failed to respond to a llanblogger request for an update on urgently-needed repairs to the Newbridge road collapse. 

This is despite two closures within days of the A483 viaducts due to weather conditions which have brought traffic chaos to Llangollen as drivers battled with the extra-long diversion route the shutting off of Newbridge Road has meant. 

llanblogger asked Wrexham - the council responsible rather than Denbighshire - for an update on the progress of repairs on Monday, immediately after the first viaduct closures on Sunday which led to hundreds of diverted vehicles packing the narrow streets of Llangollen. 

Late yesterday llanblogger was still waiting for a response from Wrexham’s press office, through which requests for comments must be made, as a second closure of the viaducts due to Storm Jocelyn brought more traffic congestion to the A5, A539 and Castle Street. 

The stretch of road between Newbridge and Cefn Mawr has been closed since January 2021, when heavy downpours caused part of it to collapse down an embankment during Storm Christoph. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​ ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​ ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​ ‌​‌‌​​​‌‍‌​‌​‌‌‌​‍‌​​​‌​‌‌‍‌​​​‌‌​‌‍‌​​‌‌‌‌​‍‌​​‌‌‌​​‍‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​​‌‌​‌​‍‌​​‌‌‌​​‍‌‌​​‌‌​‌‍‌‌​​‌‌​​

Wrexham Council was awarded £2.8 million to carry out the vital repairs to the B5605 last year by the Welsh Government, following complex geo-technical surveys and a cost analysis. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌ ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​ ‌

​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​​‌‌​​​‌‍‌​‌​‌‌‌​‍‌​​​‌​‌‌‍‌​​​‌‌​‌‍‌​​‌‌‌‌​‍‌​​‌‌‌​​‍‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​​‌‌​‌​‍‌​​‌‌‌​​‍‌‌​​‌‌​‌‍‌‌​​‌‌​

Last June it was announced that the Jones Bros Ltd had successfully tendered for the scheme.

Councillor Terry Evans, Wrexham Council’s Lead Member for Environment, said: “A contractor has been appointed to carry out the repairs to the Newbridge Road and we hope to have a further public update in the near future.

“We recognise the problems road users face due to the closure of this road but can assure everyone that we are progressing everything as quickly as possible.”

Tribute to well-known Llangollen architect

A well-known architect from Llangollen has died at the age of 81.

Before his retirement, John Miles (pictured above) had an upstairs office in Castle Street close to what is now the Bowens office.

He and his late wife Evelyn, who died during the pandemic, moved in recent years to a bungalow on Maes Collen to be near their daughters, Jane and Helen.

During his career John, who came originally from Llantysilio, acted for many local people and businesses when they needed to build, extend or refurbish their properties. 

Paying tribute to John, who died on December 22, Michael Edwards, said: "John and I go back a long way to when we were teenagers going to Rossett Youth Club. 

"As the years passed by I used to see John regularly when I was working for Wrexham Maelor Council and he used to come into the offices to see the Planning Department.

"Later I used to see him around Llangollen when he was practicing as part of his architect’s business. 

"Over recent years when he moved into a bungalow to be near Jane and Helen and the family.

"I used to call regularly as I walked our dog. During the pandemic I used to tap on his window and we’d have chats and put the world to rights. 

"He was a great character and lovely gentleman and a good friend. I will miss our chats with tales and talk of MU and Wrexham AFC. Rest in peace John my friend."

The funeral service at St Collen's Church, Llangollen tomorrow (Thursday January 25) at 12noon.

County cabinet agrees to 9.34% Council Tax rise

* County Hall, Ruthin.

Denbighshire County Council’s Cabinet has agreed a 9.34% increase in Council Tax with a view to ensuring social care services and learners within schools can be protected as far as possible, it says.

This proposal will go before full council on January 30 for final approval. 

Leader of the council, Councillor Jason McLellan, said: “We know that the proposed increase will not be welcome.  The annual increase required in Council Tax to fund council services is 8.23% with an additional 1.11% to cover the increase in the levy from the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority.  

“This decision has been reached with a view to ensuring that those most vulnerable in society receive care and support when needed through our social care teams and to protect learners in our schools as far as possible.  Schools, education, social care for adults and children and homlessness services combined account for 63% of the Council’s budget. 

“This is alongside continuing to provide the wide range of services such as collecting waste from every household, maintaining the road network, and many other services that our communities value. 

“Our priority has to be protecting those most at risk in Denbighshire, and whilst we managed to keep Council Tax increases lower last year, in order to deliver essential services over the coming year, we have had to propose a higher increase for 2024-25.  

"Looking at it over a two-year period Council Tax increases will have increased less than inflation over the same period, yet the demand for some of our statutory services has significantly increased year on year. 

“Like all councils we have had to make these difficult decisions against the backdrop of the UK Government’s policies of austerity. This year we have seen another inadequate settlement for Wales announced by the UK government in the Autumn Statement.”

The latest estimate is that delivering day to day services in 2024/25 will cost an additional £24.5m compared with 2023/24. 

Denbighshire is looking at all services and trying to protect the most vulnerable as far as possible, it says.

The council has been working towards setting its budget for 2024/25 for some considerable time and a range of proposals to identify savings and efficiencies, both internally and within the services it delivers, are under consideration.

Some people will be shielded from the increase through the Council Tax reduction scheme which helpa those on low income or claiming benefits. 

Residents can find out more about this on Denbighshire’s website on the following link:https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/benefits-grants-and-money-advice/council-tax-reduction-scheme.aspx

 

Fears of high winds again lead to A483 road closure

Traffic Wales has this afternoon announced that the 󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿A483 will be closed today between 15:45 and 19:15  from J1 to the A5 Gledrid Roundabout.

This is due to forecasted high winds of  #StormJocelyn impacting the Dee and Ceiriog viaducts.

Traffic will once again be diverted via the A539, A5 Llangollen and B5070  https://bit.ly/3xtcqWl and due to the B5605 landslip the diversion is longer.  

Traffic Wales says: "Agreed mitigation measures have been placed on the diversion route which include traffic signals and restrictions for safety. 

"Please allow extra time and follow all signs. Further updates will follow."

* The diversion route.

 

Good news for clubs and groups looking for cash support

Denbighshire Leisure Ltd (DLL) will soon be opening a second round of applications from local clubs and organisations for the Community Grants Scheme in support of arts, cultural and creative activities.  

The company has received £430,000 from Denbighshire County Council, via the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund, to administer the scheme. 

The grant will give smaller organisations and clubs in Denbighshire the opportunity to apply for funding in support of activities such as music and theatre performances, funding for local exhibitions and support for outreach programmes. 

Organisations can benefit from capital and revenue funding to renovate or maintain existing sports facilities and support community leagues, or support community arts settings and activities.

Applications for the funding are welcome from today (Monday). The closing date for the final round is Monday February 19. 

Voluntary and community groups, not-for-profit sports clubs or community organisations, Parish and Town Councils, charities that are delivering local services and support (including uniformed groups) and schools and educational establishments are eligible to apply.

To be eligible you must be able to demonstrate how the project will support one of the two following Shared Prosperity Funding interventions: 

1.      Support for local arts, cultural, heritage and creative activities.

2.      Funding for local sports facilities, tournaments, teams and leagues; to bring people together.

Jamie Groves, Managing Director of DLL said: “The first round of applications, are currently being reviewed by the panel, but we are delighted to announce that round 2 will be opening on January 22, with both capital and revenue funding available. DLL remains committed to supporting our local communities, and we know this scheme will have a huge impact, especially in light of in the current economic climate.   

"Community is one of the three pillars of our company, and helping maintain community participation and club infrastructure remains a priority for DLL.  With funding from the UK Government and the support of DCC, the grant will allow DLL to help sustain important third sector groups, sports and cultural organisations."

Capital grants of between £2,000 and £20,000 are available and revenue grants of £500 and £20,000. The TOTAL any organisation can apply for CANNOT EXCEED £20,000. 

You can apply via the downloadable application form on our website. The form then needs to be returned via email to activecommunities@denbighshireleisure.co.uk or via post to Active Communities Team, DLL, 8-11 Trem y Dyffryn, Colomendy Industrial Estate, Denbigh LL16 5TX 

For further information, including the full terms and conditions of the grant please visit our website https://denbighshireleisure.co.uk/dll-community-grant-scheme/

* DLL was also successful in receiving funding through the Shared Prosperity Fund to deliver a Creative Arts programme. 

This will work with key third sector partners and community and health partners to deliver an arts in health and wellbeing participatory programme in community, social care and health settings. The total funding received by DLL for both projects was £584,000.

Advice from county council following yellow weather warning

Following a receipt of a yellow weather warning for wind affecting Denbighshire, the county council (DCC) has issued the following advice:

"Strong winds are expected from Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning with disruption to travel and utilities possible.

"A spell of strong west or south-westerly winds is likely to affect Northern Ireland, north Wales, northern England and much of Scotland from Tuesday evening. 

"Winds are likely to gust 50-60mph. There is potential for winds to gusts 60-70 mph in a few places, although it is not yet clear where the most likely location for the stronger winds is at this time. Further updates to this warning are likely in the coming days.

"What to expect

1. There is a small chance of injuries and danger to life from flying debris
2. There is a slight chance of some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs
3. There is a slight chance that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage
4. Longer journey times are likely, or cancellations as road, rail, air and ferry services are affected. Some roads and bridges are likely to close.
5. There is a small chance that injuries and danger to life could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties; with a chance of some minor flooding of coastal roads. 

"DCC has resources on standby throughout the warning period to respond to any weather-related incidents should they arise. Further updates will be provided if deemed necessary.

"Please report any issues to our Customer Service Team between 8:30am – 5pm Monday to Friday, by:

1) email to customerservice@denbighshire.gov.uk

2) telephone 01824 706000

3) visit in person a One Stop Shop.

4) use an online web form, available on Denbighshire’s website:

www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/online-forms/online-forms.aspx

"In the event of any emergency situation requiring an immediate response, contact should be made directly via the out of hours contact centre between 5pm – 8:30am including weekends on 0300 123 3068."