Four Great Highways

Project background

This new project aims to promote and enhance the four great highways of Llangollen, by providing landscape and engineering improvements works to enhance access, biodiversity and visibility to and interpretation of the Llangollen Canal and World Heritage Site, the former Ruabon to Barmouth railway line, the River Dee and Thomas Telford’s Historic Route: the London to Holyhead Road (A5). The aim is to improve the resident and visitor experience and encourage people to spend more time here. To achieve this, four key areas have been identified:

1. Wharf
2. Access points to the Wharf, Railway and Lower Dee Mill Park
3. Lower Dee Mill Park
4. Signage and Wayfinding

The works proposed in each of these key areas are likely to include:

• Implement improvements adjacent to the Wharf including seating, access and signage
• Improved signage to the Railway
• Improved accessibility and signage to Lower Dee Mill Park
• Enhancement, repair and reimagining Lower Dee Mill Park
• Improved visitor signage at key locations

Key points

• This is a new project to deliver enhancements to Llangollen's Four Great Highways
• This project is separate from the recent Castle Street extension works project and other on-going developments in Llangollen, but the design and delivery of this project is being considered, as relevant to other schemes being delivered in or near the town. The project is based on an initial concept design completed in 2019. This included lots of ideas, some of which have already been completed as part of the recent highways works. This project is now focusing on the 4 areas identified, which are the Wharf, access points to the Wharf, Railway and Lower Dee Mill Park, Lower Dee Mill Park, and Signage and Wayfinding
• Residents, businesses and other interested parties are invited to share their ideas on what is important in these locations including their knowledge of local history
• We will be consulting with residents and businesses about the project to ensure that people can contribute to the development of these four areas. Feedback received will be reviewed with local project stakeholders, and project designs will be shared for comment before they are finalised.
• March 2023: Initial designs have now been shared with all stakeholders and the wider public for feedback. Once the feedback has been reviewed, the Project Team will develop the final designs which will be considered by Denbighshire’s Planning Department if necessary.
• No work on the ground has begun. This is due to start in the Autumn.

Current position

• A project team is now in place
• Project funding is in place to improve accessibility, signage and interpretation in the areas around the Wharf, the Railway and the Lower Dee Mill Park
• The estimated timescale for completion of the project is March 2024
• Site information gathering has been carried out, discussions have taken place with landowners and technical specialists to understand what may be possible at each of the project sites and relevant ecological surveys have been undertaken
• Public consultation commenced January 2023 to gain views to feed into the initial designs. Engagement was carried out in a variety of ways through virtual sessions, online/paper consultation and a recent drop-in session at Llangollen Town Hall
• These initial designs have now been shared with all stakeholders and the wider public for feedback.The designs are available online and at Llangollen Library until Monday 3rd April 2023. Once the feedback has been reviewed, the Project Team will develop the final designs which will be considered by Denbighshire’s Planning Department if necessary

Gallery

What is happening?

Following a successful Levelling Up Fund (LUF) application, we are enhancing the public spaces that connect Llangollen’s Four Great Highways (Llangollen Canal, the old Ruabon to Barmouth Railway line, River Dee and A5 Holyhead Road). Some of the key priorities are improved accessibility, signage and better materials.

How can you get involved?

Denbighshire County Council invite you to have your say. For further information or to have your say, please get in touch using the contact details or refer to the Consultation section below for details of the latest engagement taking place.

Four Great Highways: Initial Designs (PDF, 10MB)

Consultation

Initial Design Feedback

Following our first consultation, the Four Great Highways project team has now developed initial designs for the four areas of the project, and we would like to hear your views. Once we have received your feedback, the team will develop the final designs for the project which will be considered by Denbighshire’s Planning Department if necessary.

• Four Great Highways: Initial Designs (PDF, 10MB)
• Four Great Highways: Initial Designs Feedback Questionnaire (PDF, 1.1MB)

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.

Feedback must be received by 2 April 2023.

Please get in touch with us in one of the following ways:

• Online: Online feedback form
• E-mail: fourgreathighways@denbighshire.gov.uk
• Collect and return a paper questionnaire: Llangollen Library, Castle Street, Llangollen, LL20 8NU
• Write to: Highways & Environmental Services, County Hall, Wynnstay Road, Ruthin, LL15 1YN