Pavement and road changes “not one of our finest things” as councillors slate Active Travel implementations in Denbighshire towns

Plans to widen pavements and create one-way systems in Denbighshire towns to promote active travel and Covid safe shopping have been branded “rather ridiculous”.

The “sustainable travel” measures were introduced as an up to 18-month trial in Rhyl, Llangollen and Ruthin this autumn with funding from Welsh Government.

A fourth scheme in Denbigh was scuppered after details of it leaked out and local businesses and residents mounted a campaign to reject the proposals.

Denbighshire council hurriedly convened a consultation and the other three pilots were taken forward.

The measures, which were meant to make towns more cyclist and pedestrian friendly and reduce traffic, were discussed by Denbighshire council’s Partnerships scrutiny committee on Thursday.

Addressing the meeting Llangollen ward councillors Melvin Mile and Graham Timms said the scheme had been well received by residents in their town but businesses had not been so welcoming.

Cllr Bobby Feeley (Ruthin ward) said by the time the scheme had been put to member area groups it had already been accepted by officers so she felt it was “difficult to say no” to it.

She added: “This really has proved to be a rather ridiculous scheme. It’s a waste of Welsh Government money at a difficult time. It’s virtually impossible to put this scheme as successful.

“In Ruthin we have narrow, hilly streets which are difficult to negotiate at the best of times.

“We have had many discussion with officers about how we can tweak it or remove it. This scheme hasn’t proved successful anywhere.”

Chair of the meeting Jeanette Chamberlain-Jones said: “I totally agree with everything you have said – not one of our finest things, unfortunately.

“It’s not gone down well in Rhyl, I can assure you of that.”

The alterations involved fixing temporary traffic barriers with studs to roads to widen pedestrian areas.

One-way systems were also installed but there has been widespread opposition to the finished schemes.

Pictures emerged two weeks ago of delivery lorries struggling to drop off goods to Wetherspoons in Ruthin and there was anger in Rhyl after street parking was changed to a disabled zone causing drivers to be handed fixed penalty notices.

The council later rescinded them after details were published in the local press.

Officers are monitoring the progress of the scheme every eight weeks and will report to local member area groups and town councils.

They agreed to report back to the partnerships scrutiny committee in six months time.

By Jez Hemming – Local Democracy Reporter