Latest news with #SaferStreetsFund
Leader Live
4 hours ago
- Business
- Leader Live
Police warn drivers ignoring changes in Wrexham city centre
Changes made to the city centre divided opinion among business owners and residents when it was pedestrianised back in April. Over the last few months, funding secured from UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund, the Welsh Government Transforming Towns Fund, Safer Streets Fund and Active Travel Fund allowed Wrexham Council to make High Street and Wrexham City Centre, they say, 'more inviting and pedestrian friendly'. As part of these improvements as of Monday April 14, there is now just one point of entry only to the city centre. That is via Yorke Street with access provided between 6am and 11.30am daily, with bollards in place to restrict vehicle access otherwise. But, within just a few days of it being introduced, several crashes were reported to Wrexham Council at the scene of the bollards. And, drivers are continuing to ignore the city centre warning signs nearly two months on, police have said. The force has warned that people who do this are putting others at 'significant risk'. They added that those drivers could 'face prosecution'. PC Dan Brown, community beat manager for Wrexham City Centre, said: 'We are receiving complaints that road users are ignoring the new traffic regulation order and are continuing to use the roads the 'old way'." TOP STORIES TODAY Wrexham Co-op store closed after car collides with its wall PC Brown added: "This causes significant risks to other road users and pedestrians who use them correctly. Road users ignoring the new order will face prosecution. We are committed to ensuring that Wrexham City Centre is a safe place for all who use it.' To familiarise yourself with the new layout and signage, pay particular attention to the following locations:- PC Brown said: " Please ensure these are adhered to, to avoid prosecution. "Wrexham City Neighbourhood Police team are working in partnership with Wrexham Council enforcement team to ensure that the roads in the city centre are being used as they should be. Thank you for your co-operation."
Leader Live
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Leader Live
'Real improvement' - What you think of changes made to Wrexham's high street
Over the last few months, funding secured from UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund, the Welsh Government Transforming Towns Fund, Safer Streets Fund and Active Travel Fund has allowed the council to make High Street and Wrexham City Centre, they say, 'more inviting and pedestrian friendly'. As part of these improvements as of Monday, April 14, there is now just one point of entry only to the city centre. That is via Yorke Street with access provided between 6am and 11.30am daily, with bollards in place to restrict vehicle access otherwise. The change has drawn mixed reviews from business owners and residents alike. Within just a few days, several crashes were reported to Wrexham Council at the scene of the bollards. Last week, the Leader took a trip into the city centre to see what life is like since the change was made and spoke to some of the local business owners and residents. Since then, more of our readers have been getting in touch to give us their views. Nigel Jones said: "It works in Chester, why can't it work in Wrexham. Waiting for seating outside the pubs and nice brollies and decor, not cars whizzing back and to." Trevor Coxon told us: "Absolutely brilliant. I was getting sick of the boy racers tearing through the city centre risking injury to pedestrians. Now something needs to be done about Hill Street and Regent Street and pedestrians can breathe again!" TOP STORIES Glyn Chaplin added: "Changed the atmosphere completely, real improvement." John Davies said: "It's great." Alun Jones said: "Looks very pleasant. Hope Street soon I dearly hope." Chris Cousins said: "All the complaining is not going to change the council's decision. People should get used to it. It's a good thing as we won't have cars coming up the street and will be able to walk safely." Others were not so pleased about the change however, like Jane Prescott who said: "We've talked to a local business owner in the town centre and a lot of the time he can't get his delivery done at the given times. He is strongly thinking of moving out of town centre completely, somewhere with car park and 24/7 access."
Leader Live
24-04-2025
- Automotive
- Leader Live
Wrexham: Another vehicle crashes into rising bollards
Last week saw the introduction of bollards on Yorke Street as part of several improvements made to the newly pedestrianised centre. The aim is to reduce traffic pollution and create an overall more inviting environment for locals and visitors. The bollards prevent access for unauthorised vehicles between 11.30am and 6am daily, with police warning that action will be taken against drivers ignoring the changes. Multiple crashes have been recorded over the past two-weeks, including vehicles that have attempted to drive through before the bollards rise. Nearby business Regent House of Flowers shared an image to social media, claiming a fifth incident on Wednesday (April 23). As a result, they say coolant and oil spilled onto the ground causing a temporary traffic delay, as well as damage to the vehicle's bumper and light damage to the bollard. (Image: UGC) Business owner Laura Evison and daughter Harriett said: "I didn't see it happen but we heard the bang of it. "The council, fire brigade and police were all on the scene very quickly and it was all sorted very quickly. "However, even though bollards don't effect us being on the corner it effects us when crashes like this happen as our deliveries and the street is backed up - we can't even receive our flowers delivery. "Overall though, we think the system is working and cannot fault the council with their support and help." The council has transformed the city centre to make it 'more inviting and pedestrian friendly' after securing the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund, the Welsh Government Transforming Towns Fund, Safer Streets Fund and Active Travel Fund. MOST READ The new bollards in particular have stirred mixed opinions from locals and business owners who fear restricted access will affect overall custom. Following a previous incident, Cllr Nigel Williams, lead member for Economy and Regeneration said: 'There have been attempts at 'tailgating' whereby a vehicle that does not have access to high street has followed closely a vehicle that does have access, this has resulted in needless costly damage to the tailgating vehicles. "Never tailgate a vehicle going through the bollards in front of you. The bollards rise again immediately after the registered vehicle has passed. 'Appropriate signage and communication around the changes have been issued. "We urge drivers to familiarise themselves with the new system, to be aware of changes and respect the signage."
BBC News
19-02-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
West Midlands Police to double its fleet of speed camera vans
The West Midlands police and crime commissioner (PCC) has committed £188,000 to double the region's fleet of mobile speed camera Foster said it meant the force could monitor more "hot spots" to catch speeding said he had invested £130,000 to purchase three new vans – and approved funding for a fourth worth £58,000 to bring the number to eight in added that road safety was a top priority and pledged to work towards halving the number of people killed and seriously injured on West Midlands roads by 2030. "Speeding is a major factor in road collisions, and it's something I and West Midlands Police are determined to tackle," he said."This investment, via the Safer Streets Fund, will significantly enhance our ability to catch speeding drivers and make our roads safer for everyone."The speed camera vans are able to operate 24 hours per day, seven days a week, said the PCC, whose area covers Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and caught driving above the speed limit can be fined up to £1,000 and have penalty points added to their driving license. 'Mindset change' Supt Gareth Mason, who heads up the force's roads policing unit, said the additional vans would enable officers to be more visible in communities and send a strong message that speeding is unacceptable"This will dramatically strengthen our capacity to enforce the law across our road network," he said."Our aim is to change the mindset of motorists. Drive safe and don't put others at risk." Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
