North Wales News

[SteveH]

New Airbus military helicopter that could create hundreds of jobs touches down in North Wales
The new H175M landed at the manufacturer's plant in Broughton for the first time today

cont/video  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/new-airbus-military-helicopter-could-24564081

[SteveH]

North Wales beaches denied Blue Flag award as councils' risk assessments 'don't comply' with new criteria
Only one beach in the region was awarded the Blue Flag this year

Several beaches across North Wales have been denied a Blue Flag award after safety risk assessments made by the local authorities were deemed "not to comply with the new Blue Flag criteria". Earlier this year just one beach in North Wales received the prestigious Blue Flag award after the new requirement was introduced.

Prestatyn beach in Denbighshire was the only beach to receive the iconic award, Keep Wales Tidy announced in June. Following the decision, Anglesey, Gwynedd and Conwy councils said that they were going to "continue to work with Keep Wales Tidy to fully understand this new requirement and identify a suitable way forward".

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/north-wales-beaches-denied-blue-24654127

[Hugo]

Water from Welsh lake could be diverted to London to solve drought
A union has called on Thames Water to implement the 'win win' plan to send the water to England from Lake Vyrnwy

Lake Vyrnwy is a reservoir in Powys, Wales, built in the 1880s for Liverpool Corporation Waterworks to supply Liverpool with fresh water. It flooded the head of the Vyrnwy valley and submerged the village of Llanwddyn.
It's time that they built a new reservoir in that part of England namely Abingdon as they discussed n 2006

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/water-welsh-lake-could-diverted-24769659


https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/environment/2022/08/14/exclusive-images-of-underwater-lake-vyrnwy-village-that-has-resurfaced-due-to-heatwave-conditions/

[SteveH]

Wales Freeport with tax breaks and simplified customs rules to be in place by next summer
Holyhead port among those bidding for the special status

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/wales-freeport-tax-breaks-simplified-24907216

[SteveH]

Swedish firm Stena - which has owned and operated Holyhead port for 27 years - has announced it has bought the 213-acre site. They said it was bought to facilitate the extension of the port?s operations in the area.

The firm said the new site has the potential to provide additional land and services to existing customers and attract new long-term uses and investment to Holyhead.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/stena-line-bought-former-anglesey-25065294

[SteveH]

Update on above story...

The cruise ship sector in North Wales has received a major boost following a multi-million pound deal. This week North Wales Live revealed that the former Anglesey Aluminium site in Holyhead - left empty when Orthios collapsed - had been snapped up by Stena Line.

As well as the 200+ acres of land where the aluminium smelter was sited the deal included the old Anglesey Aluminium jetty in the port. This has previously been used to dock cruise vessels but this summer ships had to anchor off the coast and passengers brought ashore in small craft

Now though Stena has confirmed that the jetty will be brought back into use next year for the 2023 cruise season. Having these facilities is a big plus point for cruise tours, making it easier for passengers to disembark and hopefully increasing the spend locally.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/more-cruise-ships-could-heading-25083904

[SteveH]

I get the feeling that RAF Valley is going to disappear bit by bit.......

RAF Valley jet problems mean some pilots may be sent abroad for training
Trainees could be sent to the NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training programme in the USA

RAF pilots could be trained abroad as problems affecting fast-jet training at RAF Valley continue. While training is continuing at the Anglesey base, some potentially faulty jets were taken out of service amid fears of in-flight failures.

Last month North Wales Live reported how RAF resources were limited due to faulty components wiping out part of their fleet. The issue had the potential to cause disruption to the usual flow of training over the next few years, although efforts were underway to minimise the impact.

Recently John Healey, Shadow Secretary of State for Defence, asked the Secretary of State for Defence: ?What steps his Department is taking to ensure that the disruption to the UK Fast Jet training is minimised over the next three years," reports the UK Defence Journal.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/raf-valley-jet-problems-mean-25279728

[SteveH]

Why is the Menai Bridge closed?
The Welsh Government said in a statement: ?As a result of further investigation, serious risks have been identified and structural engineers have recommended to close Menai Bridge to all traffic. The findings that led to the recommendation to close the bridge are currently being reviewed which could take up to two weeks. Available options to reopen the bridge as soon as possible are being actively assessed.

?Temporary hanger strengthening works may need to be installed to ensure the safety and integrity of the Menai Bridge. This programme could take between 14 to 16 weeks, with the bridge reopening in early 2023.?

Menai Bridge closure is a 'wake-up call' for a third crossing to Anglesey
Welsh Government announced on Friday that the historic Thomas Telford built bridge would be closed until potentially the end of the year

Keith Jones, Director Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), said the Government had been right to take the decision to close - saying safety should always come first. However he criticised the fact progress has not been made on a third crossing over the Menai Strait.

The circa 130m project has been on the agenda for years but remains at the consultation stage. It is currently on pause thanks to the Welsh Government's roads review, with recommendations on numerous highways schemes expected at some point this autumn.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/menai-bridge-closure-wake-up-25345407?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Third Menai bridge reaches critical crossroad after two decades of debate
A look back at the tortuous process that fuelled hopes a third crossing would one day materialise

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/third-menai-bridge-reaches-critical-25382010

[SteveH]

Siemens Healthineers has announced a healthcare centre of excellence in Llanberis which will help secure and create 500 jobs. The move will mean a multi-million-pound investment in research and development (R&D) with support from the Welsh Government.

Siemens Healthineers is to consolidate its global operations for the manufacture of IMMULITE? blood analysis technology, used worldwide to aid the diagnosis of medical conditions, at its site in Gwynedd.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/multi-million-pound-investment-gwynedd-25429661?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Thousands of jobs could be created by making the port of Holyhead into a freeport, its owners have claimed.

Shipping company Stena Line said it was working with companies that were interested in building factories on Anglesey, if freeport status was granted.

Holyhead is expected to be one of five Welsh bidders for freeport status.

The UK and Welsh governments will make a joint decision on where the first one will be

Stena Line has already bought the former Anglesey Aluminium site so companies can set up factories within the freeport zone if the status is awarded.

It said it was in discussions with Rolls Royce and Bechtel, which are interested in making components for small nuclear reactors.

Ian Hampton, executive director of Stena Line Ports said: "We can bring businesses that wouldn't ordinarily come to Holyhead, they can take advantage of what a freeport brings, but also create new jobs, and create economic growth for the whole of north Wales, and for the UK."

He added that it had the potential for ?1bn of growth and up to 13,000 new jobs.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-63703613

[SteveH]

French industrial giant Boccard is set to create 200 jobs in North Wales with its first major nuclear production facility in the UK. The engineering, manufacturing, construction and maintenance company, headquartered in Lyon, unveiled the facility at Broughton in Flintshire.

They said the development will support the growth of the UK?s reputation as a significant strategic location for the advancement of nuclear technologies. The Boccard Broughton facility will have 150 direct jobs on site and create another 50 in the supply chain.  ref DP

[SteveH]

Any bets on who will win, North or South ?

Applications have closed from bidders interested in setting up a new Freeport in Wales - with Holyhead to compete Cardiff Airport and ports in south west Wales. Backed by ?26 million in UK Government funding, the Freeport Programme in Wales aims to create jobs, boost the local economy and regenerate surrounding areas.

Stena Line and Anglesey County Council have submitted the bid for Holyhead - aiming to bring an economic boost and reverse the Brexit hit on trade at the port. It would see the establishment of a secure customs zone at Holyhead and other sites on Anglesey with special tax and tariff arrangements designed to attract major domestic and international investment.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/holyhead-faces-cardiff-airport-race-25630590

[SteveH]

One of Britain's largest builders' merchants is set to expand its operations to an empty multi-million pound industrial park in Bangor. It is hoped the move by Huws Gray Ltd to Parc Bryn Cegin could provide some of the site's "first local jobs" whilst acting as a "catalyst" for further investment.

Plans for the Parc Bryn Cegin site were first submitted in 2000. The Welsh Government later faced criticism after spending more than ?11M on the project.

The scheme attracted further millions in European funding and cash from the former Welsh Development Agency in 2005. It was hoped the 35 acre site would attract 1,600 jobs, additional investment and create more than 70,000sqm of business floor space.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/huws-gray-set-move-bangors-25792594?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Seven developments to kick start North Wales economy in 2023
From a high street transformation to a new hotel these projects can bring jobs and economic growth

Once again the year has started in difficult circumstances thanks to rising prices and a cost of living crisis. The UK economy has been impacted by global inflationary pressures - a situation compounded by political instability and Brexit.

But there are still big plans in the pipeline in the region that can help boost the North Wales economy in the coming year. These range from ambitious plans for a former aluminium site to a scheme to transform a retail giant's old high street store.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/seven-developments-kick-start-north-25758176