Vale of Clwyd MP and Clwyd East Parliamentary Candidate Dr James Davies has given his feedback on exciting plans to improve the townscape of Ruthin.
Two years ago, the UK Government launched its landmark long-term plan to level up across the UK. In January 2023 it was announced that Denbighshire County Council had been successful in its Clwyd West bid for funding, worth almost £11 million.
The funding will pay for improvements to the townscape of Ruthin, as well as providing new community facilities in the villages of Bryneglwys and Gwyddelwern and visitor facilities at Moel Famau and Loggerheads.
It will benefit the Vale of Clwyd constituency, which extends down to the village of Rhewl, just north of Ruthin.
On Friday, a public consultation event was held at Ruthin Rugby Club, to provide people with a final opportunity to find out more about the plans and to give their feedback, prior to the consultation closing today (May 12th).
James attended the event and, commenting afterwards, said:
“On 19th January 2023, Denbighshire County Council received confirmation that they had secured £10.95m from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund for the Clwyd West constituency, to support the development of 10 projects aimed at protecting Ruthin’s unique heritage, wellbeing and rural communities. The proposals were supported by the constituency MP David Jones and local elected members.
“In recent weeks, Denbighshire County Council have been consulting on the projects taking place within Ruthin Town Centre, namely the St Peter’s Square, Market Street and Cae Ddol projects.
“I was pleased to attend the latest consultation event at the Rugby Club on Friday and to see it so well attended.
“I congratulate the Liaison Committee on the work they have done, which proposes that the various elements in Ruthin town centre commence from this summer on a phased basis, with full delivery by March 2026.
“I thought that the ‘informal street’ option for Market Street was preferable. I suggested early thought to electric socket access in St Peter’s Square for local events that will be held in the space.
“I also thought it was important that all new pedestrian areas should be appropriately protected from potential damage by HGVs and that any historical finish to pavements should be retained.
“I encouraged early thought to the management of space in St Peter’s Square for al fresco seating and tables.”
He added:
“In February, I was pleased to accompany The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Michael Gove MP, on his visit to Ruthin to see first hand how the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund is making a difference. He described Ruthin as “a beautiful market town in the heart of the Vale of Clwyd” and I couldn’t agree with him more.
“It really is a jewel in the crown of the Vale of Clwyd and I am delighted it is going to be hugely improved thanks to Levelling Up funding.
"The exciting plans are progressing well and I thank all those involved in getting them this far, including David Jones MP, Denbighshire County Council officers and the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), within the UK Government.”
The Ruthin Levelling Up Projects in detail: https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/community-and-living/community-development/levelling-up-fund/round-2-clwyd-west/luf-successful-project-bids-round-2.aspx
