New recyling system coming this summer

* The new-look recyling Trolibox. 

Denbighshire County Council will be introducing a new recycling system this year that will help it meet Welsh Government’s 70% recycling target which has been set for all local authorities in Wales.

The new service, which is 55% funded by Welsh Government, will launch on Monday 3 June, when residents will be required to separate their ‘dry’ recycling using a new three-tier Trolibocs, which will be delivered to households from 23 February 2023.

There will also be free new weekly collection services for small electrical items, household batteries and textiles.  Some households that currently present their recyclable materials in single-use sacks will receive new reusable bags to present their separated recyclable waste.

In addition, there is a new weekly service to collect absorbent hygiene products (e.g., nappies and wipes, incontinence pads, and disposable bed pans and liners). Residents must register for this service, and the current round of registration is open until 1 March with further registration periods opening later in the year.

Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for the Environment and Transport said, “The system we currently have has been good so far, however it won’t allow us to hit the new targets. As materials will be separated in the new Trolibocs system, it will improve the quality of what we collect.  That means more will stay in the UK to be recycled which reduces our carbon emissions and helps prevent climate change. It will also be a more cost-effective service in the long term.

“The new system allows residents to recycle more, so we will be collecting more frequently. From June, your recycling will be collected every week, along with your food waste and materials such as hygiene and nappy waste. That means you’ll have less non-recyclable waste for collection, so that will be collected every four weeks. Those with reusable bags will have a weekly collection.

“Food waste, garden waste, bulky items, and assisted collections will remain the same, however, collection days may change. This information will be available on the Council’s website from Wednesday, 15 May.”

Paul Jackson, Head of Highways and Environmental Services said, “As we have to deliver over 45,000 new containers to residents ready for the new service, we will need to start this process soon whilst also continuing to deliver the current recycling and waste collections service. For that reason, we have to start distributing the new containers from the end of February. We will be sharing information on our social media and website about the delivery schedule of new containers from the week commencing 19 February.”

Denbighshire residents will receive a comprehensive information pack about the new system with the containers, including what materials go where and answers to key questions. Updates and explainer videos will also be shared on social media channels.

Councillor Mellor went on to say, “This latest step in increasing our capacity to recycle and reduce our waste is a collective effort between our Recycling and Waste Team and you, the people of Denbighshire. I would like to say thank you; your recycling is making a big difference. Thank you for continuing to do the right thing and for doing your bit for the environment, by sorting your waste, and recycling what you can.”

Several Welsh local councils have already rolled out similar changes and they’ve seen an increase in the quantity and quality of recycling collected in those areas. Further information can be found on the Denbighshire County Council website: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/recycling

 

Park runners to donate to Llangollen Food Share

The team from Llangollen Food Share will be on hand at tomorrow (Saturday) morning's parkrun to accept donations of supplies.

The run starts at 9am from the Health Centre staff carpark and the food share team will be there from 8. 30.

This will be the 35th parkrun since it was launched in June last year and each it attracts around 100 people turning up to walk, jog or run, supported by a team of volunteers around the course.

A parkrun spokesperson said: 
"Everyone is welcome to attend parkrun, nobody is last because we always have a TailWalker to support those at the rear of the field. 

"We are extremely pleased to be supporting Llangollen Food Share and our community and we hope that as many people who can are able to donate foodstuff to LFS."

Food donations needed:

EE warns of service problem near Llangollen

Latest message from EE:

MyPlace update: The problem near Llangollen has now been fixed, we recommend you restart your device. If you have already done this and are still having problems, please call us on 150

In a message to people using its network in the area, EE has sent the following message about a service problem which may affect Llangollen this morning (Thursday) :

"MyPlace update: Just to let you know, we have a problem near Llangollen which may be affecting service in the area. Everything should be back to normal within 7 hours. We will continue to keep you updated. To keep connected simply use WIFI calling, to get started click here ee.co.uk/wifi-calling." 

Experts to give free valuations of antiques and art

* Valuations will be given at the Dory Gallery.

A free valuation of antiques, paintings and jewellery will take place at Llangollen's Dory Gallery in Regent Street on Friday May 3, from 10am-4pm. 

Organised by Halls Fine Art Auctioneers of Shrewsbury, it will feature specialists Maryanne Lineker-Mobberley, Abigail Molenaar and Alexander Clement.

Halls says that valuations can be given for items of Asian art, coins, decorative arts, ceramics, furniture, clocks, jewellery, silver, watches, paintings, prints and more.

* For more details, call 01743 450 700, or email fineart@hallsgb.com to book a valuation appointment.

 

County plans new order to control misuse of car parks

* A plan of the Llantysilio Green car park. 

Denbighshire County Council is proposing to bring in an order to control the misuse of some car parks in Llangollen.

A briefing for local county councillors explains that, at present, parking at Llantysilio Green is unregulated other than by charging for use of the parking place when they are open.

This, it says, often causes hazards and/or obstructions on site and there is evidence of misuse of the car parks.

But the introduction of a special order would allow the council to issue tickets to control this misuse.  

The briefing says: “The current legislation covering the car parks makes it unviable for the council to enforce these areas and reduces maintenance expenditure to a bare minimum.

“This proposal is to bring the car parks in to the Civil Parking Enforcement system of control.

“Wenffrwd car park is a new car park and it clear from officer observations on usage so far that, although it is free to park in this car park, there is a need to better manage, regulate and control the manner in which vehicles park within this car park.

“It appears to the county council as order making authority, that it is necessary and expedient to make this order in the interests of providing proper controls to the car parks in the order and to be able to enforce the areas as necessary.”

A copy of the draft order and the plans can be inspected at Llangollen Library in Castle Street, Llangollen.

* People wishing to respond to this consultation can do using the online feedback form and anyone wishing to object to it can do so either by submitting responses to a questionnaire using Denbighshire County Council’s website under County Conversation Portal, (countyconversation.denbighshire.gov.uk) or by sending a written statement of objection, stating the grounds on which the objection is made to the Corporate Director: Governance and Business Monitoring Officer, Denbighshire County Council, PO Box 62, Ruthin LL15 9AZ, by no later than 7th March 2024.

Lentern events at Holy Cross Church

Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church in Llangollen has two events to mark Lent.

The annual Lentern soup kitchen will be held in the church rooms each Friday until Easter - excluding Good Friday - starting from this Friday, February 16.

This will be run from 12noon until 1.30pm and all proceeds go to the Christian Aid Relief Fund.

People wishing to take part can enter through the church in Oak Street, or along the alleyway opposite the Tourist Information Centre. All are welcome, say organisers.

The church is also hosting at the Holy Cross Rooms a series of conversations in Lent, entitled "The Gifts We Receive," at 1.45 for 2pm each Friday from this week until March 22, excluding March 1. 

County councillor demands action over diversion traffic chaos

* The safety barriers damaged during the latest diversion through town - and now taken away.

Llangollen county councillor Karen Edwards is to meet with a senior Denbighshire official to discuss problems which result from traffic being diverted through the town centre.

At the meeting, which will take place in Llangollen on February 23 with Paul Jackson, head of highways and environmental services, she will demand answers to a number of key questions including whether the county is given adequate warnings of the diversions and if they warrant changes to the town centre’s road system.

This comes after a concerned resident accused the county council of being more interested with matters in other parts of Denbighshire than replacing roadside barriers damaged by traffic coming through town during the latest A483 and A5 diversion a few weeks ago.

Late last month Llangollen was twice used to reroute traffic after storm warnings led to the closure of the viaducts over the nearby trunk routes, causing massive traffic congestion on both occasions.

During the second diversion barriers and bell bollards at the corner of Mill Street and Castle Street leading on to the bridge were knocked down by a heavy wagon.

They have now been taken away, it is believed for repair by the council.

After the incident County Cllr Edwards sent a long email to county bosses in which she asked for an assurance from the county council and the North and Mid Wales Traffic Agent that they are capable of putting in place a “proper” traffic management plan.

She stressed: “It is imperative that DCC personnel responsible and accountable for this are putting in the right controls and mitigation measures.”

Cllr Edwards will also ask whether temporary traffic lights could be put on the main bridge to provide clear use of both lanes in order for large left-turning vehicles entering Castle Street to be able to safely make the turn.

In her email she tells the county: “As a result of the works conducted by DCC for the 20/20 project you have knowingly narrowed Castle Street down to 6m which falls below the recommendation for the safe passage of two HGVs and narrowed the width of the junction.  

“The bell bollards solution is a failure, and the railings are now damaged. Fortunately, and I say this with enormous relief, there were no pedestrian casualties.”

Meanwhile, a concerned resident has sent an email to Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes - copied to the county council’s officers and members along with the local MS Ken Skates and also llanblogger - criticising the lack of action over the barriers and attaching pictures of the damage.

The barriers have now been taken away. But, before they were, the resident wrote: “Our county councillors appear to be ignored by DCC officers and Llangollen’s Town Council seems to lack any direction or ability to measure the local pulse and raise/articulate these matters up to the county councillors to take forward.  

“The tragic loss of life of a young resident motorcyclist on the road before Xmas by the Sun Trevor is a case in point where once again DCC were aware of the issue but dragged their heels and pleaded poverty to make improvements but seem to find budget elsewhere for things that don’t save lives.  

“I feel it really is time you and Ken Skates stood shoulder to shoulder and held DCC to account for themselves on their record and lack of action with respect to matters of road conditions and road safety in the Llangollen area.” 

Simon Baynes MP said before the barriers were taken away earlier today (Tuesday): “I remain hopeful that Denbighshire County Council will proactively seek a solution in the near future. I intend to contact the council to inquire about the anticipated timeframe for completing the necessary works.”

Ken Skates said: "I raised my constituent's concerns with DCC on February 2 and am awaiting a response." 

* llanblogger is unable to confirm what is happening to the barriers because, despite three requests to Denbighshire County Council for a comments - the latest this morning - there has so far been no response.  

Town clerk Gareth Thomas said: "The Town Council understands that a concerned resident has contacted County Council’s officers and members along with the local MS Ken Skates, but not the Town Council itself, stating that Llangollen Town Council seems to lack any direction or ability to measure the local pulse and raise/articulate these matters up to the county councillors to take forward.  

"Llangollen Town Council is committed to representing the interests and concerns of the residents of Llangollen and effectively captures the sentiment of the community and expresses these matters with appropriate authorities, including county councillors one; of whom is the current Town Mayor. 

"The Council understand the importance of having a clear direction in ensuring that the voices of our residents are heard, and acted upon, and has a standing item on the agenda of all Town Council meetings to receive statements from County Councillors on matters relating to Llangollen. This allows for an open exchange with all County Councillors representing the community to ensure that the concerns of Llangollen residents are prioritised and addressed at the county level.

"Moving forward, the Town Council is to strengthen our relationship with the community, including the reinstatement of the annual town meetings, surveys, and community cafes together with increased transparency in our decision-making processes. 

"Llangollen Town Council remains committed to serving the best interests of our community and welcomes constructive feedback as it continues to strive for improvement."