Four Great Highways: Frequently Asked Questions

Is this project part of the Llangollen 2020 developments?

No, the Llangollen 2020 group is no longer in existence. This is a new project being delivered by Denbighshire County Council. There are still some highways projects being delivered under the Llangollen 2020 banner, these are separate projects being delivered by the Denbighshire’s Highways and Transportation services.

Are there any designs yet?

Yes, the initial designs have now been shared with our stakeholders and the wider public for feedback by 2nd April 2023. Please refer to the Gallery and Consultation sections for further information. We look forward to hearing your views.

What has happened to earlier designs for this area?

The Llangollen 2020 group developed some early concept designs for a Four Great Highways project.

The Council has reviewed these documents, some of the proposals have already been delivered and some will not be possible as a part of this project. One example of an earlier proposal that is not feasible as a part of this project is a proposal to have a viewing platform adjacent to the bridge.

The Council is currently collecting a range of information to include in a new design proposal for this project.

Local people, businesses and visitors are being invited to provide information on what is important to them in these areas to help to inform the new designs.

Once new designs have been developed these will be shared and consultation held online and in the local community.

How does this fit in with other local plans?

This project seeks to address accessibility around the Wharf and Lower Dee Mill park.

This supports priorities within The People's Plan 2022 - 2026 (external website) prepared by 'Shape My Llangollen'.

I have heard you are just talking to small groups of people; how do I add my views?

Please refer to the main Four Great Highways web page for the latest consultation information.

Once designs for this new project are ready, will there be further consultation on the proposals?

Responses received to our information gathering survey in February helped inform initial designs which are now available online and also on display at Llangollen Library until Monday 3rd April 2023. We look forward to hearing people’s views.

It is important for us that you continue to be involved throughout the project, so we will ask for more feedback on any further designs we develop.

Will I get to see what people have said?

This is not a statutory consultation process so there is no requirement for the Council to publish individual responses.

However, the Council will produce reports on the findings of our consultations. These will be made publicly available when they are ready.

When will I see the new designs?

The initial designs have now been shared with our stakeholders and the wider public for feedback by 2nd April 2023. Please refer to the Gallery and Consultation sections for further information. We look forward to hearing your views.

Will the planned works be carbon neutral or even carbon positive?

As we have not yet designed the project, we do not know what the carbon impact will be. However, in 2019, the Council declared a Climate Emergency and has set ambitious targets to be Carbon Zero by 2030, more information can be found on our website. The carbon impact will therefore be a key consideration when designing and delivering the project.

How will you keep people informed?

Information about the project as it evolves will be available on the Council’s website as well as through the following means:

• Information in the local media
• Updates on Denbighshire’s social media channels – please follow our Facebook (external website) and Twitter (external website) pages for regular updates
• Articles in the online County Voice publication – to be added to the mailing list please register on our website
• Denbighshire’s County Conversations engagement portal – to be kept informed please register your interest on our website
• Posters in key community locations to promote local consultation as we acknowledge not everyone is online
• Promotion through local partners’ own communication networks

As Denbighshire County Council aims to be Carbon Zero by 2030, we must consider how we engage with everyone to avoid excessive printing of documents.

How much funding has Llangollen received from UK Government for this project?

Just under £1.2 million has been awarded to the Four Great Highways project

What has the funding been awarded for?

To deliver 960m² of public realm improvements, provide two pedestrian counters at the Wharf and to improve signage and interpretation.

Is the project just to improve access to make visitors stay longer, or will the residents’ needs be considered too?

It is recognised that tourism is important to the town, but equally that the impact of tourism can be challenging for some residents. Through the delivery of this project we aim to improve access for all users of the town, which with improved signage for tourism destinations and way finding, should enable visitors to navigate the town more easily.

I have heard that the team are looking to construct a viewing platform on the bridge. Is this going to happen?

The original funding application in 2019 referred to the viewing platform / new public space at Llangollen’s Castle Street and Abbey Road junction. As we are now four years on lots has changed, and some of the works in the original design have now been completed by Denbighshire’s Highways and Transportation Services.

Since starting the delivery of the project, from the information we have gathered and the feedback that we have received, it has become clear that we should not be delivering a viewing platform on the junction of Abbey Road and Castle Street, and hence this element has been removed from the project.

Will you be looking to fix the wooden bridge in Lower Dee Mill Park?

Yes, we can confirm that the wooden bridge will form part of our considerations for any work in Lower Dee Mill Park.

I do not visit Lower Dee Mill Park as I am unable to use the steps. Will these be looked at to make the park more accessible?

We can confirm that improved access into/out of the park will form part of our considerations for any work in Lower Dee Mill Park.