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Rhyl Journal
5 hours ago
- Automotive
- Rhyl Journal
Denbighshire Council's electric bin lorries are a success
Denbighshire County Council has saved more than 400,000kg of carbon emissions through its growing fleet of electric vehicles, which now make up 15 per cent of its waste collection vehicles. The council began upgrading its waste fleet in 2022 to reduce its carbon footprint and support its wider environmental goals. Cllr Barry Mellor, lead member for environment and transport, said: "We have looked hard at our overall fleet to see where we can reduce emissions through electric vehicles by introducing them to replace end-of-life stock and through funding support. "Waste is an important service, and these EV lorries are integral to helping reduce carbon emissions their fleet produces on a daily basis." In early 2023, the council introduced two Dennis Eagle e-Collect refuse collection lorries on northern routes. Each vehicle can cover up to 100 miles and complete 1,000 bin lifts on a single charge. In the last 18 months, the fleet has also added five Electra e-Cargo recycling lorries, which offer a range of up to 155 miles. These vehicles have contributed to total carbon savings of 409,493kg—equivalent to the emissions of a fully loaded 747 jumbo jet or approximately 67 adult male African elephants. The electric lorries also offer long-term savings through lower running costs and reduced maintenance, as they have fewer moving parts compared to diesel models. Cllr Mellor said: "Our fleet department is constantly monitoring suitable ways for service delivery to reduce our vehicle carbon footprint and the use of these EVs is a prime example of this which will also help reduce long-term costs compared to running fossil fuel vehicles." Some of the electric vehicles can be spotted on the roads, including one named Christal Clean.
Rhyl Journal
5 days ago
- General
- Rhyl Journal
Team appointed to support wildflower meadows in Denbighshire
Denbighshire County Council has introduced Nature Recovery Streetscene Operatives to help maintain and enhance the county's wildflower meadows as part of its wider climate and ecological emergency response. Councillor Barry Mellor, lead member for environment and transport, and the council's biodiversity champion, said: "The new Nature Recovery Streetscene Assistants will really help us improve the management of our meadows across the county. "Having the team will help us to be more direct in the way we maintain the sites, especially those that might need deeper intervention to help them flourish stronger to be a better resource for local nature." The Wildflower Meadows Project supports biodiversity and community wellbeing and is funded by the Welsh Government through the Local Nature Partnerships Cymru ENRaW scheme. During the 2024 season, 297 different wildflower species were recorded across the sites, with a total of 5,269 individual wildflowers logged. Mr Mellor said: "This team alongside our biodiversity officers will work together to make a real and positive impact on the conservation of important species and habitats within Denbighshire and add diversity and colour across our sites for all ages to enjoy, along with the pollinators at risk who help put food on our tables." The council says the new roles will allow for more focused management of the meadows, supporting long-term habitat improvement. The operatives will be carrying out early cuts and collections at some sites to reduce soil nutrients, limit grass growth, and encourage greater wildflower diversity. Outside of wildflower season, the team will also support other nature conservation and tree maintenance work across the county. Streetscene operatives currently work with the council's biodiversity team to manage the county's meadows, as part of their wider maintenance responsibilities.
Rhyl Journal
27-06-2025
- Automotive
- Rhyl Journal
Denbighshire Council adds two electric vehicles to its fleet
The council has introduced two Toyota Proace Verso electric people carriers to its fleet, funded by taxpayers through the Welsh Government Energy Service. The new vehicles will be used to transport students to and from Ysgol Tir Morfa, a special school in Rhyl. Councillor Barry Mellor, lead member for environment and transport, said: "We are working very hard to reduce our fleet's carbon footprint by replacing end of life fossil fuel vehicles when the opportunity arises with greener alternatives where it is appropriate for the service need. "These vehicles help us reduce running costs over the long term through maintenance and miles and will continue to reduce our emissions to help us tackle the climate and nature emergency declared in 2019." READ MORE: Conwy road upgrade to fix 4,000 potholes as part of multi-million pound scheme Currently the council has one of the highest figures in Wales for the proportion of so-called zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) as a percentage of their fleet, at more than 20 percent. With a range of up to 214 miles, the new vehicles are expected to lower both mileage and maintenance costs. The people carrier will support Ysgol Tir Morfa with school transport, aligning with the school's environmental efforts, which have included low carbon energy improvements on site and tree planting in the grounds by pupils working with the council's biodiversity team. The second people carrier will be used in the social care sector to transport adults who work at Meifod Wood Products, a Denbigh-based work opportunity scheme. Cllr Mellor said: "It's great that Ysgol Tir Morfa will have access to one of these vehicles as the students are so supportive of doing everything they can to tackle climate change and support their local nature at the school and surrounding community. "Having one supporting Meifod as well I hope will inspire the fantastic adults who work at the site to do their bit to tackle climate change." The council said the minibuses would also be easier to maintain than petrol or diesel models due to having fewer moving parts.
Rhyl Journal
20-06-2025
- General
- Rhyl Journal
Work to start on building on new play area on Rhyl promenade
Drift Park play area, on West Parade, was closed and then demolished 2023 while work is undertaken to improve the town's coastal defences But a new play area in its place will start being built on Monday (June 23), with completion scheduled for September. It will have an ocean theme, after feedback found that this proved more popular than a 'beach' alternative which was also proposed. The now-demolished former Drift Park play area (Image: Rhyl Events and Activities) The park will include two entrances, while more swings have been added to the initial designs, including a 'double swing'. It will be based at the same location on the promenade as the previous play area, but will be larger in size. The feedback also asked for more sensory boards to be added, and additional seating - these will include two picnic benches and two standard benches inside the play area, and four more picnic benches will be added outside it. Public consultation sessions welcomed more than 50 participants, who, along with in excess of 200 feedback responses through online forms, helped inform the design of the play area. Further engagement sessions were held at Ysgol Tir Morfa and Christchurch School, where pupils provided feedback which helped shape the designs of the equipment, and shared their views and suggestions. Also added due to feedback will also be another cone twister and a zip line-type piece of equipment called a 'track rider'. Councillor Barry Mellor, Denbighshire County Council's lead member for environment and transport, said: 'As the sea defence scheme work comes to an end in the Autumn, we will see the reinstating of this play area, with new and improved community chosen design elements. 'A lot of work has been done with the local community and local schools to come up with the final design of this play area. 'I am looking forward to seeing this park open once more, with newer and better equipment and play spaces.' The Central Rhyl Coastal Defence Scheme is scheduled for completion in August or September.
Wales Online
19-06-2025
- Automotive
- Wales Online
Three key roads earmarked for upgrades in Denbighshire after £4.8m spending boost
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 Three key roads in Denbighshire have been identified for improvements using money accessed from the Welsh Government. A similar exercise in Gwynedd has seen more than 60 roads and footpaths earmarked for upgrades. Denbighshire Council has secured £4.8m from Cardiff's Local Government Borrowing Initiative (LGBI) to boost its road maintenance programme. The local authority is now planning 'significant investment' to resurface three roads. They are the A525 Nany Y Garth Pass near Ruthin; the A547 Abergele Road near Rhuddlan; and Ty Newydd Road, a key conduit in Rhyl. Denbighshire's Highways aims to start work 'straight away' during the 'optimum time for carriageway surfacing works'. Cllr Barry Mellor, lead member for environment and transport, said: 'We know the improvement of the county's road network is a topic that comes up regularly from our residents. The work that will be carried out on our roads over the next two years will really help improve the network and driving experience for both residents and visitors to Denbighshire.' The LGBI funding runs for two years with Denbighshire saying improvements are planned on a 'number of roads'. Details of other highways to benefit from the funding will be released in due course. Cyngor Gwynedd received £7.8m through the LGBI scheme – it has a two-year target list that extends to more than 60 roads, paths and structures such as bridges and retaining walls. The local authority said these span the entire county from 'Llanrug to Llanystumdwy and from Tudweiliog to Tywyn'. The North Wales Live Whatsapp community for top stories and breaking news is live now - here's how to sign up (Image: Cyngor Gwynedd) Council leader Cllr Nia Jeffreys said: 'The condition of the roads is of concern to a large number of local people, but due to the dire financial situation of local authorities we have not been able to invest in the network as we would have liked. 'This investment will make a huge difference and target the areas most in need in terms of potholes in roads, resurfacing, footpaths, and other structures.' The LGBI initative was announced in March by Ken Skates, cabinet secretary for transport and North Wales. It provides an extra £10m of revenue funding to enable local councils to unlock £120m of additional capital funding. A similar scheme was rolled out successfully in Wales between 2012 and 2014. Cllr June Jones, Cyngor Gwynedd's cabinet member for highways, said the extra cash will enable a broader programme of work to be carried out on the country's roads. 'It also means the council will be able to plan spending much better,' she said. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox 'For example, this past financial year, £750,000 was spent on filling potholes on our network here in Gwynedd. This is not the best use of our road maintenance revenue funding as it is completely responsive. 'Through this investment over two years, we are confident that we will reduce our emergency spending on filling potholes in roads and spend more on programmed resurfacing work.' Find out what's happening on the roads near you
