New Audi Q3 raises the bar even higher

Audi Q3 drive by Steve Rogers

Gone are the days when SUVs were snapped up as soon as they arrived in the showroom.

The boxy high riding sports utility is still dominant but the world is changing and what was flavour of the month last year can quickly become an also ran swamped by sleek new offerings from our buddies in China.

Audi is a case in point. It has a big Q range of high quality SUVs but against new rivals like BYD, Omoda and X-Peng the German company’s styling is conservative to say the least, leaving its Spanish partner Cupra to carry the flag on ground breaking styling as we saw with the Tavascan reviewed last November.

At least Audi took the hint first turning the ordinary looking A5 into arguably the most desirable executive saloon on the market and it has done the same with Q3, its top selling compact SUV.

It needed a big facelift and boy did it get one with the main focus at the front. The bold grille, and beefed up headlight signature shouts ‘look at me’, and the emphasis on lighting carries over to the tail, particularly the red outline on the four rings. Clever touch.

And it has not stopped there, inside has been given a complete makeover with a raft of new tech. Out go the traditional dials to be replaced by a letter box style digital driver’s display alongside an impressive curved 12.8 inch touchscreen. Impressive not just because it looks good but the commands get a lightening response. Would we expect anything less from an Audi?

Then there is the steering column. Busy place, lots of buttons on the wheel but no stalks, instead a 40cm wide bar with the gear shift at one end and lights and windscreen switches on the other, I say switches but the wipers are controlled by a rotating disc no bigger than a supermarket trolley token. A bit fiddly but all right when you get used to it.

So a completely new set up, yet the cruise control unit is still badly positioned below the steering wheel (as it has been for decades) and is not even backlit so is even harder to operate at night.

As is the Audi way, the materials and finish are top notch and cabin lighting plays a big part with a pencil lead thin neon strip across the dashboard and either side of the centre console. They change colour depending on the drive mode, red for dynamic, blue for comfort and green for efficiency, or just stick with white.

Space, front and back is on par without being exceptional, while the boot is a good size and can be turned into a substantial hold all with the rear seats folded.

Q3 has always been my ‘go to’ for a premium compact SUV and the new model has raised the bar even higher. The suspension experts have taken on the challenge of perfecting superb balance and handling with exceptional ride comfort and won hands down.

Audi is still offering diesel power but the focus is on petrol hybrid and my choice is this 1.5 litre mild hybrid. You can go bigger but this unit offers the right mix of performance, economy, and value for the money. I averaged 40mpg over nearly 400 miles, and on a couple of longer trips knocked on the door of 50mpg, helped by hybrid technology that shuts down two cylinders at lower speeds to save fuel.

A more expensive but interesting option is the petrol plug-in hybrid with a potential 74 miles electric driving. That sort of range covers everyday journeys for most households and takes away the range anxiety syndrome of an all electric car.

This third generation has put Q3 back in the limelight and not a moment too soon as opposition like BMW X1, Volvo XC40, Lexus UX as well as would be rivals from Kia, Nissan and Mazda are like baying wolves waiting for the kill.

What the wife says: Q3 is comfortable and great to drive and my only complaint is the reflection at night in the passenger window of the decorative light strips which is distracting.

My favourite feature: Any number but the accolade goes to the rear camera screen wash. Simple but effective.

Fast facts

Q3 S Line 7-speed S tronic

£41,100 (starts £38,300)

1.5 litre; 148bhp

0-62mph 9.1secs; 130mph

44.8mpg combined

143g/km. 1st road tax £540

Insurance group 22

Boot: 488-1386 litres

Towing capacity: 2100kg

Cash available to improve open spaces and play areas in Llangollen

* Over £3,000 is available to improve open spaces and play areas in the Llangollen Town Council area. 

Applications are now open for funding to help improve open spaces and play areas across Denbighshire.

And £3,603.18 is available in the Llangollen Town Council area. 

Funding totalling £101,064.42 is earmarked to support local projects across the county.

 

The funding comes from Commuted Sums, which are payments made by developers when it is not possible to provide outdoor open space as part of a new development. 

These funds are set aside to enhance parks, play areas and other open spaces, usually within the same town or community where the development took place. In some cases, the money can also be used to benefit nearby communities within Denbighshire.

 

A range of organisations can apply for funding, including:

• City, town and community councils
• Community and voluntary groups
• Charities
• Public sector organisations
• Amateur sports clubs
• Denbighshire County Council

 

The funding will close for applications on April 20. 

* Further information and application forms is available online here: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/commutedsums.

Invite goes out to Hope House’s Llangollen Canal Walk

Hundreds of walkers will be pulling on their boots and trekking a 10-mile route along the Llangollen Canal to raise money for Hope House Children’s Hospices this Spring.  

On Sunday March 22 walkers will join together and take on the ever-popular annual walk, which starts at the Trevor Basin in Llangollen, before heading over the world-famous and majestic Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, which provides breathtaking views as you cross the famous arches.  

From there walkers follow the canal all the way to The Poachers pub at Chirk for refreshments before heading back, where all participants will receive their special 2026 medals.   

Last year the event, which is now in its 16th year, raised around £30,000. 

Hope House Children’ Hospices fundraiser Vicky Bradbeer said: “This wonderful event is guaranteed to put a smile on your face and a spring in your step next March. Bring along friends, family, colleagues and those four-legged friends and embrace the great outdoors.   

 “The canal walk is extremely popular and well-supported and has always been a sell out, so make sure you sign up and get your tickets via the Hope House website to avoid disappointment.”  

The 2026 event has been sponsored by DMR Plumbing & Heating. 

Rosie-Jane Quayle, Office Manager at DMR Plumbing & Heating, said:  “Supporting a charity such as Hope House Children’s Hospices means a great deal to DMR Plumbing & Heating, as this reflects our commitment and care for others within our community. 

  

“We hope sponsoring this event will help create moments of comfort and support  for families that need it most. 

  

“We believe in putting people first and we know that Hope House truly does make a genuine, lasting impact in our community. 

  

“We are really excited to be the main sponsor for this event and will be bringing everyone from the big team down to take part and help raise as much money as we can on the day.” 

Hope House Children's Hospices provides specialist nursing care and support to children, and their families, who live in Shropshire, Cheshire and across Wales.

Its purpose is to help every child with a life-threatening condition to live their best life and to receive the care and support their families need.  

It costs £10 million every year to run its services. Approximately two month’s income comes from statutory sources and for the other 10 months of the year is dependent on public support. 

By joining the Llangollen Canal Walk you will be helping to raise vital funds, as well an enjoying a family friendly fun day out in the Spring air. 

Tickets for the event are £15 for adults and £5 for children and all entrants will get a special bespoke 2026 medal and a goody bag at the halfway point.   

* Get your tickets at www.hopehouse.org.uk/canal  

Garden collection subscription renewal goes live

Denbighshire gardeners who use the garden waste collection service can now renew their subscription.

Renewal for 2026 to 2027 is open from January 12 to make sure there is time for everyone to sign up before the new service period starts from April 1.

The council is encouraging residents who are subscribing for the first time also take advantage of this sign-up period from today (April 1) to take full advantage of the 12-month service.

Residents are encouraged to renew their collection service online using the link below:

https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/bins-and-recycling/garden-waste.aspx

The two weekly garden waste service offers residents a convenient, cost-effective means of dealing with their garden waste and makes a significant contribution towards meeting statutory recycling targets.

Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “Now is the time to renew or sign up for the 12 months garden waste collection service. I would urge residents to do this at their earliest convenience to account for the delivery time of any new containers and to and to take advantage of the full 12-month service."

Residents can check whether they have a live subscription on the bin collection dates page of the website or find out further information on the service here

Cytun to hold united service next Wednesday

Cytun - Churches Together in Llangollen - are holding "One Body One Spirit," a united service, at Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church in Oak Street on Wednesday January 21, at 10.30am. It is a celebration of Unity Week and all are welcome. 

My unforgettable experience of A&E corridor care

The great NHS nightmare of what's become known as "corridor care," where patients are being treated in hospital passageways and not wards, was in the news again yesterday.

One poor guy hit the national headlines when he posted a video of himself hanging round in the corridor of a hospital in England for four days waiting for treatment and saying of the experience, "It makes you feel inhuman".

Although my own recent taste of corridor care was by no means as terrible as this it's certainly something I won't forget in a hurry and don't wish to repeat.

It began last Sunday when an uncomfortable but not too serious health problem I'd been having for some time got quite a bit worse.

As it was a Sunday and my local GP was not available I followed the conventional advice and rang the NHS Wales 111 advice line. After answering some in-depth questions about the problem I was advised to go along to my local hospital's A&E department. I didn't much fancy that because of the frightening stories I'd heard about huge queues and long waits for treatment often spent in corridors.

* Phil Robinson, llanblogger, gives his account of an afternoon and evening spent waiting to see a doctor at Wrexham Maelor.

But, needs must, along I went with my wife to the Wrexham Maelor. The place, as expected, was extremely busy but the lady on reception - like every other staff member I encountered that day - was polite and very helpful, took my details and told me to take a seat and wait.

I thought my luck was in when I was called into the triage area after only 15 minutes. And things looked even more promising when I was summoned to have my essential tests just a quarter of an hour after that. 

However, things took a turn for the worse when I was then directed into the dreaded corridor  leading from the reception area into the depths of A&E. The place that was to be my base for the next six hours.

I knew it wasn't going to be plain sailing right from the start when the other occupants of the passageway were either in wheelchairs or on trollies. And in some side-rooms were patients lying on beds who appeared to be receiving their longer term care right there rather than on a ward.

During the course of the afternoon and early evening there was a regular turnover of fellow corridor occupants who stayed there for varying periods. Clearly hard-pressed staff made regular checks on them whenever they could, bringing them extra blankets and food plus words of sympathy and cheerful reassurance. 

The most distressing sight was an elderly man in a wheelchair who was clearly in some pain - in fact he said so a few times quite loudly. I was even more upset for him when a staff member who I think was a doctor knelt down beside him to ask as discreetly as possible some intimate details of his condition. The man was still there when I eventually left.

On two occasions during my stay a nurse filled me in on what was happening with my case and advised me that someone would be along to take a further blood sample soon. So, soon afterwards, another member of staff turned up to stick a needle in my arm and draw out some of the red stuff right there in the corridor while my fellow occupants tried not to look. It was quite painless by the way and the only thing that was hurt was my dignity.

I'd arrived at A&E about 1.15pm so at 7.15pm I decided to ask, politely, the very helpful nurse I had spoken to earlier when it was expected I might be able to see a doctor. She checked and told me there were five other patients ahead of me in the queue.

But by this time I'm afraid both my wife and I had had enough and I told the same nurse that I'd like to sign myself out, requesting that the results of my tests, which I was still awaiting, be sent to my own GP and they were duly delivered by next morning. My treatment is therefore continuing locally.

I was very lucky that I wasn't too ill to get up and go home. Many, I realise, are not so fortunate. 

I'm well aware that people have had a much more harrowing brush with corridor care than I did but its causes - obviously lack of beds and shortage of staff to cope with growing patient demand - need to be dealt with as a matter of supreme urgency to prevent people having to undergo this kind of personal and mental trial for very much longer. 

The staff who have to handle it day after day are clearly not happy with it one little bit so let's fervently hope they don't eventually snap under the strain.

Tehmeena Ajmal, Chief Operating Officer at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said: “Our hospitals and primary care services across North Wales are currently very busy, which is what we would typically expect at this time of year.

“Last week, we declared an internal critical incident due to the significant pressure being experienced across our sites, alongside forecasts of severe weather. This reflects the level of pressure facing our services, which is being seen across health boards in Wales. While improvements made towards the end of last week meant we were able to stand this incident down, our services remain extremely busy.

“We are working hard to manage these pressures by improving patient flow through our hospitals, including speeding up timely discharge where it is safe to do so. This is vital to help free up beds and reduce the length of time people may need to wait in our Emergency Departments, where some patients are currently waiting longer than we would like.

“The public can play an important role in helping us during this busy period by choosing the right service for their needs. Community pharmacies can provide advice and treatment for many minor conditions, and Minor Injury Units are available for injuries that do not require emergency care. We would also encourage people to phone NHS 111 in the first instance, so they can be directed to the most appropriate service and get the right care as quickly as possible.

“We are extremely grateful to our staff and partners who continue to work tirelessly to care for patients during this challenging winter period."

Major works to start at Brook Street and Pengwern on Monday

* Work starts here on Monday.

Residents and businesses have been notified of major roadworks which will start in and Brook Street and Pengwern, Llangollen next Monday.

These are said to be essential works which are part of the Active Travel improvements programme taking place in that area.

Work starts at the A5 junction of Brook Street on January 19 and will continue until February 20, according to a notice distributed through doors in the immediate area by Denbighshire County Council, which is overseeing the works, and its contractor Pronin.

Working hours will be between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday and on weekends and bank holidays but only if required.

A signed diversion route will be in place throughout the closures. 

Temporary pedestrian management will also be in place. Permanent traffic signals and pedestrian crossings will be switched off during the work to avoid interference with temporary signals. Emergency access will be maintained at all times, says the notice.

It also warns that on-street parking may be restricted near the works to keep everyone safe. People with specific needs are asked to contact the contractors.

* Anyone with any questions or requiring assistance are asked to get in touch with contract manager Neil Farley on 07730 573250.