Ambulance service urges extra care as Storm Goretti closes

The Welsh Ambulance Service is urging people to take extra care ahead of heavy snowfall and strong winds expected from Storm Goretti.

The Met Office, which has described the storm as a ‘multi-hazard event’, has issued a number of Amber and Yellow warnings for snow in Wales and across large swathes of the UK.

The snow is likely to lead to disruption and dangerous travelling conditions tonight (Thursday) and into Friday.

Judith Bryce, Assistant Director of Operations, said: “The NHS has already been under significant pressure since the New Year, and now we’re gearing up for the impact of Storm Goretti.

“Cold weather naturally leads to an increase in falls, breathing difficulties and road traffic collisions, so it’s important that you take steps to reduce the risk of becoming ill or injured, and help us, help you.

“Unfortunately, severe weather means it may take longer to reach some patients, but if you have a genuine life-threatening emergency, please do continue to call us.

“Above all, please be kind and considerate to our people who are working around the clock to provide the best possible care for communities in Wales, both in our contact centres and on the frontline.”

The Welsh Ambulance Service has this advice for the public:

 

• Stock up on essential medications – ensure you have enough prescription medicines to last through any disruption caused by severe weather.
• Only travel if you really need to – if you can delay your journey, it is safer to do so, but if you must drive, maintain a safe and steady speed and keep your distance from other vehicles.
• Take care on icy surfaces – wear suitable footwear and watch out for hidden ice when walking.
• Look out for elderly or vulnerable neighbours, friends and family.
• Only call 999 for genuine life-threatening emergencies.
• For everything else, visit NHS 111 Wales or call 111 for health advice and information.

Latest county council roadworks bulletin

Outside LLANGOLLEN PAVILION CAR PARK ENTRANCE - ADJ NO. 9 ABBEY ROAD, 28/02/2026 - 20/03/2026, Gwaith Nwy / Gas Works WALES & WEST UTILITIES, Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights

A542 Carriageway HORSESHOE PASS, 24/03/2026 - 02/04/2026, Ailwynebu/ Resurfacing DCC HIGHWAYS, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

A542 OAK STREET, 22/02/2026 - 01/03/2026, Ailwynebu/ Resurfacing DCC HIGHWAYS, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

OUTSIDE NUMBER 9 CASTLE STREET, 01/02/2026 - 01/02/2026, Gwaith Nwy / Gas Works WALES & WEST (DCC)

A539 ON JUNC WITH TRACK FROM BRYN DETHOL ROAD TO TY UCHA

BRYN DETHOL ROAD FROM A5 TO MAESMAWR ROAD, 09/02/2026 - 11/02/2026, Gwaith Dwr / Water Works SEVERN TRENT WATER (DCC), Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

A542 Brook Street, Llangollen, 03/11/2025 - 27/03/2026. Active Travel Improvements from the A5 up Brook Street, towards Ysgol Bryn Collen / Y Gwernant, Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights

Bishop who is former Llangollen resident speaks on BBC radio

The Rt Rev Mary Stallard, the Bishop of Llandaff (pictured) who once lived in Llangollen, has been reflecting on the sudden death of her mother in a programme on BBC Radio Cymru.

Daphne Stallard, 89, died after being involved in a collision with a recycling truck in Llandudno in early September last year. And this is one of the events of a "difficult year" the bishop speaks about in this week's edition of Welsh language radio programme Bwrw Golwg, thanking everyone who supported her. 

Daphne Stallard was the widow of the Rev Charles Stallard with whom she lived in Llangollen for 10 years at the time her son-in-law, the Rev Andrew Sully, was vicar of St Collen's.

She was the mother of the Rt Rev Mary Stallard, Andrew's wife, who has been Bishop of Llandaff in Cardiff since 2023.

* For the full story, see: Esgob Llandaf yn diolch am bob cefnogaeth wedi blwyddyn anodd - BBC Cymru Fyw 

Weather warning issued for parts of south Denbighshire

The Met Office has now issued an amber weather warning for parts of south Denbighshire with a yellow weather warning in place for much of the rest of the county. 

This warning will be in place between 8pm on Thursday, 8 January until 9am on Friday 9 January and is forecasting heavy snow which will likely lead to disruption and dangerous travel conditions.

You can find the latest information on the Met Office web page on https://bit.ly/4bmD6OA

Denbighshire County Council says it has deployed all available resources to respond to any weather-related incidents and will be supported by external agricultural contractors who will help keep open the rural roads network. 

It adds: "Our customer service team have been experiencing a high level of calls this week. Where possible, please report any issues via the online webform on https://bit.ly/4jw0qvw 

"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."

#stormgorertti #KeepWarmThisWinter #WinterReadyWales #DriveSmart

llanblogger questions why pathways to wharf weren't gritted

* Frozen snow on the walkway from the wharf to Abbey Road this morning. 

llanblogger has been trying to find out why neither of the walkways leading to Llangollen's canal wharf from Abbey Road have been gritted during the recent spell of wintry weather.

Conditions on both of them have become treacherous. To negotiate them people were having to walk on the grass verge to gain some traction.

With more snow predicted for the area later in the week, this could be a real problem.

Denbighshire County Council says the Canal & River Trust is responsible for the paths, so llanblogger has contacted them to ask about the state of the paths. We'll let you know their response.

* The other pathway, also covered with frozen snow.

County puts Youth Centre car park use under scrutiny

* The busy car park at the Youth Centre.

Denbighshire County Council says it is looking into the use of the Youth Centre car park to give priority to the building's users.

Just before New Year Llangollen Food Share took to Facebook to say: "The Youth Centre has been quite inactive over the last year. Due to this, the car park has been relatively unused so has become quite popular with locals using it as free parking for town and by local AirBNB owners offering it out as free parking for their properties.

"The Youth Centre is now being used for community sessions and this will increase in the New Year and the car parking spaces will be needed.

"At the two sessions held over the last fortnight, there weren't enough parking spaces for attendees at the session. In particular there were disabled visitors needing to park in bays who weren't able to.

"Please bear this mind when parking. It would be a shame if the council input restrictive or penalty systems to manage it."

llanblogger checked out the situation with the county council and a spokesperson said: "The council look forward to reopening the building as a youth centre imminently and we are, as part of this, looking into the use of the car park to prioritise building users. 

"We are aware that both locals and visitors to the town are aware of the space so will consider options carefully, so to minimise disruption to neighbouring residents."

Snow is still with us this Tuesday morning

 After a fresh but light fall last night, the snow is still with us this morning (Tuesday).

It coats the roofs and pavements across town and there's quite a gathering on the canal towpaths and even on the water in the basin where it's fallen onto a frozen section towards the rear. In fact, one sizeable section of ice had broken away and could be seen floating towards the wharf - to be avoided by the ducks.

There was another wintry scene around the wharf and, just across the road, a good covering of snow on the railway platform and parts of the river.

There's no further snow predicted for today, with the forecast reading "light rain and a gentle breeze".