North Wales News

[SteveH]

Clwydian range: The incredible attractions and breathtaking views in Wales’ new national park
The Clwydian range and Dee Valley will make-up Wales' fourth national park

The ‘Clwydian range and Dee Valley will make-up Wales' fourth national park, joining the existing Pembrokeshire Coast, Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia national parks.

Wales Online reported that the area has been chosen to become Wales' newest national park for its outstanding natural beauty.
The Welsh Government also hopes the move will help solidify its place as a tourist attraction.

However, some people who live there aren't happy with the scheme - with some describing it as a 'bonkers' plan.

The national park will be the first one of its kind in more than 50 years and will be located in northeast corner of Wales.

Made-up of 390km of land spanning Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham, it will cover the coastal slopes of Prestatyn Hillside in the north to the remote Berwyn Mountains and the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and canal in the south.

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/clwydian-range-incredible-attractions-breathtaking-20756608

[SteveH]

Holyhead Roadking staff told jobs going for a second time after HMRC come back in for site
Brexit has seen site become less commercially successful and deal will see 24 jobs lost as HMRC struggle to find alternative location

Truck stop workers have been told they have lost their jobs for the second time after HMRC came back in for the site to build a new customs post following Brexit.

Last year North Wales Live revealed that staff at Roadking had been told their jobs were going due to plans by UK Government to buy the site for a customs facility.

But this fell through following a backlash over the jobs and concerns about the return of the problem of parked trucks in the town and around the island.

It is understood they have since struggled to find an alternative site for the 200 job customs facility.

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/holyhead-roadking-staff-told-jobs-20954040

[SteveH]

The three ways Welsh Government will tackle second home crisis including closing a tax 'loophole'
Housing minister, Julie James will today set out plans for a 'summer of action' in response to the issue in rural Wales

Inspired by a report compiled by Porthmadog-based academic, Dr Simon Brooks, the Welsh Government is expected to set up a pilot area where such measures can be trialled and evaluated before being considered for wider roll-out.

While many authorities have already implemented a council tax premium on second and empty homes, evidence that some are “exploiting a loophole” that allows them to avoid paying not only any council tax but also business rates, has held back all but two from charging the full 100%.

It is possible to “flip” such a property from paying domestic to non-domestic rates if it’s proven to be available for up to 140 days in a year and actually let for at least 70.

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/three-ways-welsh-government-tackle-20978268?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

A NEW scheme is launching which will see one ticket be valid on all buses across North Wales.

From Saturday, the 1bws ticket scheme will come into effect - meaning if people buy it on their first journey of the day, the ticket will then be valid for travel on busses across North Wales.

An adult ticket will cost £5.70, a child (or young person with a My Travel Pass) will pay £3.70 and holders of English and Scottish concessionary bus passes will also pay £3.70.

A 1bws family ticket is available for £12.

One ticket, for all day, valid on North Wales busses in Wrexham, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey,—and on buses from North Wales to Chester, Whitchurch and Machynlleth.

There are buses covering most of the region and it is possible to explore the North Wales Coast, Snowdonia, the Clwydian Range, the Dee Valley.

“The initiative is a great way to get people back on buses and open up the North Wales countryside for the summer in a way that protects the environment.

Timetable information for all buses in North Wales is available online at http://bustimes.org or traveline.cymru; or by phone on 0800 464 00 00.

1bws is valid on all local bus services operating in North Wales with the exception of service 28 between Mold and Flint.

It is also not valid on tourist services operated by open top buses, on National Express coach services and park and ride services.

https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/19441536.new-one-bus-ticket-whole-north-wales-scheme-launch/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Holyhead truck stop worker made redundant twice slams 'mess' of customs post bid - and issues warning
'They have had five years to sort this' as he warns it will be HGV chaos once truck stop shuts

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/holyhead-truck-stop-worker-made-21071179

[SteveH]

The slate landscape of Gwynedd, known for roofing the 19th Century world, is to become Wales' fourth UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In an announcement on Wednesday, the UN specialised agency revealed that the bid led by Gwynedd Council had been approved by its World Heritage Committee.

As a result, the landscape dominating communities from Dyffryn Ogwen to Abergynolwyn and Tywyn will now enjoy the same status as landmarks such as the Taj Mahal, while bringing to an end, a process dating back well over 10 years.

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/slate-landscape-north-west-wales-21161171

[SteveH]

North Wales sees biggest population rise in decade amid pandemic
The region's population has increased by 3,870 over the past year with people relocating from England and south Wales

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/north-wales-sees-biggest-population-21134083?IYA-mail=a05105fc-304d-4c50-9807-edab51f779a4

[SteveH]

North Wales swimmers 'disadvantaged' without Olympic 50m pool

Of the six Welsh swimmers competing at the Olympics this year none were from north Wales.

The Welsh government said it had not received any recent calls for an Olympic sized swimming pool.

It comes after Welsh swimmers broke records as part of Team GB in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Matt Richards and Callum Jarvis broke a 109 year wait for a Welsh Olympic Gold medal as they were part of Team GB's men's winning 4x200m freestyle squad.

In Llandudno, volunteer coach, Bryn Phillips, said swimmers from north Wales regularly travel to to compete at pools in England like Sheffield, Manchester and Liverpool, or to south Wales in Cardiff and Swansea.

He wants to see a larger pool for young swimmers in the region.

cont  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-58156228

[SteveH]

Plans to build 106 new homes directly opposite Ysbyty Glan Clwyd
The application is being made on behalf of St Asaph-based Pure Homes and is planned for land directly across the road from the main entrance to the Bodelwyddan site

cont   https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/ysbyty-glan-clwyd-houses-hospital-21355156?IYA-mail=a05105fc-304d-4c50-9807-edab51f779a4

[SteveH]

New images have been released to show more on the ambitions of the North Wales Metro programme as a minister said there are no current plans for road tolls in the region.

The Metro map was first launched back in 2016 but had come under fire for initially stopping at Rhyl.

These new images show priorities up until 2029 which include major enhancements at popular stations, the creation of new stations, and frequency enhancements from Bangor to Wrexham.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/new-north-wales-metro-maps-21535665

[SteveH]

The UK is to delay introducing post-Brexit checks on food and farming imports to England, Scotland and Wales, blaming Covid disruption and pressure on global supply chains.

Measures which were expected to come in next month will now be introduced in January and July next year.

Labour said the government did not have a "sustainable answer to tackling delays and red tape at the border".

The move comes amid shortages of some products in shops and supermarkets.

Many large companies have blamed a lack of lorry drivers for the problems experienced, with M&S chairman Archie Norman, a former Conservative MP, predicting a "bumpy ride" for retailers in the run-up to Christmas.

The EU has implemented full checks on UK goods since the start of this year.

Checks on goods going the other way were also due to come into force in full after the post-Brexit transition ended in January.

But they were delayed and, in March, the government announced a timetable to get changes for the food and agriculture sectors done by 1 October.

Paymaster General Penny Mordaunt has told MPs another postponement is now needed.

cont  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-58556453

[Fester]

Thus far, all we’ve seen is loads of downside from Brexit, and absolutely no upside.

Several of my friends and family who were ardent Brexiteers have recently expressed regret.
Way too late, was the cry!

[Ian]

Yep.  Keep waiting for the upside...

[norman08]

People may one day wake up and realise this gov is full of lies, this brexit is a complete cockup.

[SteveH]

Small steps  ......   

The "world's smallest" border duty free store has opened in Holyhead - based inside a shipping container.

Irish daytrippers were a regular sight on the streets of Holyhead during the 1980s and 90s, with the town’s shops and pubs benefiting while visitors took advantage of duty-free sales onboard while sailing from Dublin and Dún Laoghaire.

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/worlds-smallest-duty-free-border-21627116