Latest news with #LocalAuthority
Wales Online
15 hours ago
- General
- Wales Online
Residents could finally get better access to train station that's bears village's name
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info While it bears the name of Dolgarrog - the Conwy Valley station has never really been particularly accessible to people in the village. The station is situated on the opposite side of the Afon Conwy from Dolgarrog with a rough and sometimes boggy track also in the way. This contributed to it serving just 612 passengers in 2017/18 - the lowest of any station in Wales that year. The situation was compounded in 2021 when the pipe bridge over the river closed to the public due to concerns over its condition. There were fears it would never reopen. But a campaign was launched, backed by Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders and others, to get a crossing back. This eventually secured funding of £1.2m from Dwr Cymru and a £735,000 Welsh Government grant for Conwy County Borough Council to restore the bridge. This was reopened in 2023 and passenger numbers rose to just over 2,000 in 2023/24. But the paths from the village mean it's still not exactly a convenient option for locals or tourists wanting to use the Conwy Valley Line. Now though Conwy council has secured additional Welsh Government active travel funds for improvements to the existing Public Rights of Way, which connects Dolgarrog Railway Station to the B5106. The works are to be undertaken this financial year. The Local Authority is currently working on access agreements with interested landowners and will be aiming to undertake a public engagement exercise soon. Once the access agreements are in place, they will push forward with a procurement and construction phase programme. This would improve the path that emerges near the former Lord Newborough pub on the B5106. There are hopes that more money in the future could develop a link to Clark Street, which comes out in the centre of the village. MS Janet Finch-Saunders said: "Since the horrendous decision by Welsh Water to permanently close Dolgarrog Bridge, I have been pleased to lead the group of stakeholders who have succeeded to convince the water company to make a massive U-turn, and secure a £1.9m investment. 'As part of that stakeholder group it was a pleasure to work with representatives of both Dolgarrog Community Council and Conwy County Borough Council. By working together we have delivered for our community. "In fact, I have kept up the pressure and am delighted that funding has been secured to build an active travel route between Dolgarrog and the railway station this financial year. A special thanks goes to the Local Authority officials who submitted the application and are working on the plans going forward. 'Whilst my understanding is that this phase of the development will see the route reach Dolgarrog by the old Lord Newborough pub, there remains and ambition to develop a route along Clark Street in the future, but that would require further funding. 'The most import point of all is that the bridge, which following our united community campaign, Welsh Water has thankfully invested significantly in, will now have high standard accessible paths leading to it. This is excellent news." Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone
North Wales Live
20 hours ago
- General
- North Wales Live
Residents could finally get better access to train station that's bears village's name
While it bears the name of Dolgarrog - the Conwy Valley station has never really been particularly accessible to people in the village. The station is situated on the opposite side of the Afon Conwy from Dolgarrog with a rough and sometimes boggy track also in the way. This contributed to it serving just 612 passengers in 2017/18 - the lowest of any station in Wales that year. The situation was compounded in 2021 when the pipe bridge over the river closed to the public due to concerns over its condition. There were fears it would never reopen. But a campaign was launched, backed by Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders and others, to get a crossing back. This eventually secured funding of £1.2m from Dwr Cymru and a £735,000 Welsh Government grant for Conwy County Borough Council to restore the bridge. This was reopened in 2023 and passenger numbers rose to just over 2,000 in 2023/24. But the paths from the village mean it's still not exactly a convenient option for locals or tourists wanting to use the Conwy Valley Line. Now though Conwy council has secured additional Welsh Government active travel funds for improvements to the existing Public Rights of Way, which connects Dolgarrog Railway Station to the B5106. The works are to be undertaken this financial year. The Local Authority is currently working on access agreements with interested landowners and will be aiming to undertake a public engagement exercise soon. Once the access agreements are in place, they will push forward with a procurement and construction phase programme. This would improve the path that emerges near the former Lord Newborough pub on the B5106. There are hopes that more money in the future could develop a link to Clark Street, which comes out in the centre of the village. MS Janet Finch-Saunders said: "Since the horrendous decision by Welsh Water to permanently close Dolgarrog Bridge, I have been pleased to lead the group of stakeholders who have succeeded to convince the water company to make a massive U-turn, and secure a £1.9m investment. 'As part of that stakeholder group it was a pleasure to work with representatives of both Dolgarrog Community Council and Conwy County Borough Council. By working together we have delivered for our community. "In fact, I have kept up the pressure and am delighted that funding has been secured to build an active travel route between Dolgarrog and the railway station this financial year. A special thanks goes to the Local Authority officials who submitted the application and are working on the plans going forward. 'Whilst my understanding is that this phase of the development will see the route reach Dolgarrog by the old Lord Newborough pub, there remains and ambition to develop a route along Clark Street in the future, but that would require further funding. 'The most import point of all is that the bridge, which following our united community campaign, Welsh Water has thankfully invested significantly in, will now have high standard accessible paths leading to it. This is excellent news."
BBC News
6 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Ice rink on Torbay Council's £350k shopping list
A Christmas ice rink is among the items on a shopping list from councillors after a local authority ended the financial year with a surplus of £350, Council's cabinet has drawn up a number of items which the authority could pay for after being told various departments had contributed to an underspend in the fourth quarter of the last financial highlighted by the cabinet included an ice rink for the Bay of Lights event run in Torquay, Paignton and Brixham at Christmas, surveying community centres, tackling weeds and investing in adult social list of projects is set to be reviewed in July by the full council before a decision on what to spend the money on is made. Other schemes highlighted by councillors to receive funding were a community-focused "blitz" to tidy and improve Torquay's Castle Circus area and money to encourage new start-up shops and businesses, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. 'Very exciting addition' Councillor Alan Tyerman said while the money was a "tiny proportion" of the overall budget, it showed very good financial control from the authority."For several years things have looked comfortable in Torbay's accounts, and long may it continue," the Conservative councillor for Churston with Galmpton Jackie Thomas, Conservative, Kings Ash, said an ice rink for the Bay of Lights project would be a "very exciting addition" to the event, which already featured a seafront illuminations trail and light show at Torre said "an ice rink would very considerably increase our winter wonderland experience and encourage more footfall".Councillor Darren Cowell welcomed the ideas and Torbay's "sound financial footing".However, the Independent member for Shiphay urged colleagues to look beyond town centres and seafronts to spend some of the money in other local communities.
BBC News
30-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Durham County Council by-election date after Reform UK resignation
A by-election to decide the final vacant seat on Durham County Council is set to take place in July, following the resignation of a Reform UK Kilburn, who was elected to the Benfieldside ward in May's local elections, was forced to stand down after a week for failing to declare he worked for the local was elected with 1,007 votes, alongside Reform's Sandra Grindle, which saw the party gain seats from Labour and the by-election on 3 July will cost Durham County Council £22,800, a figure described as a "gross waste of taxpayers' money" by former council leader, Liberal Democrat Amanda Hopgood. National legislation means council employees are disqualified from standing as councillors simultaneously. Landslide victory Hopgood sent a petition to residents in Benfieldside calling for Reform UK to cover the cost of the election, according to the Local Democracy Reporting said: "Reform have made a huge issue of reducing council 'waste', but there can be few things more wasteful for the taxpayer than calling a by-election because they could not get their paperwork in order."Despite the setback, Reform UK said it hoped to retain its stronghold on the ward, which also covers Blackhill and Shotley Bridge. The party secured a landslide victory just weeks ago to control the council, with its 65 councillors officially inducted earlier this month.A Reform UK spokesman said: "We understand that Mr Kilburn did not declare his employment to the returning officer as expected and is now required to resign his seat."We look forward to contesting the upcoming by-election to give the people of Benfieldside a strong voice in Durham County Council."A full list of candidates for the July by-election will be released following the nomination deadline on Friday, 6 June. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram
BBC News
29-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
West Northamptonshire Council backs next stage of Norwood Farm
A plan to build 278 new homes has been approved by councillors as part of a larger housing homes, approved by West Northamptonshire Council, will be built on land between Harpole and Duston in Northampton, as part of the second phase of the Norwood Farm project. In total, the wider project will deliver 1,900 homes, along with shops, a school, and public green decision was made during the first planning meeting since Reform UK took control of the local authority at the recent local elections. The latest plans include a mix of one to four-bedroom properties and of the 278 homes, 139 will be officers said this was 92 more affordable homes than the developers were required to to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) each home will have its own parking space, and extra visitor spaces will be added along the roads. Green areas are also planned around the edges of the area covered in the upcoming phase is in the north-west part of the Norwood Farm site and is divided by New Sandy Lane. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
