The Ceasefire ends .......

Approximately 2 months ago after talks with Inspector Alun Oldfield of North Wales Police I agreed to a 1 month suspension of protest whilst a traffic calming initiative was applied to Chester Road , Penyffordd. As a token of good faith I added a month on myself.

The traffic continues to speed through the village by the 1000 each day.

Whilst talking to Nigel Jones the Clerk to the Council I noted that the traffic behaviour in our village is impossible in Rossett due to their traffic calming and 20 mph compulsory speed limit.

Prestatyn Windmills

Castle Cement support Penyffordd Junior Football Club

Mark Cox the General Manager of Castle Cement Padeswood presenting Sean Lewis-Wickes of Penyffordd Junior Football Club with boot bags for the players to ensure a mud free Chrismas for the young Penyfforddians.

Entertainment

A reply from ArriveAlive with regards my FOIA request.

Re: A Freedom of Information Act Request Our Ref: FOI Dec 07.03 SCFL 26

Dear Mr Hughes,
Thank you for your request detailed below. Under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) a response will be sent to you if possible within 20 working days. Due to the Christmas break this reply is due on 29^th January 2008; however, we hope to respond before that date.

The Perfect Christmas Present from the Evening Leader

The Evening Leader letter published in todays edition.
Letter Title Human's Safety is Important Too


Hi Kate,

Hope you are warm enough.

A letter for possible insertion into The Leader with regards the bats and badgers at Meadowslea

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Re: McLean's housing development for Meadowslea, Penyffordd.
I see Cllrs Colin Bithell and David Williams are in The Evening Leader with regards
a new bat house and the protection of a badger sett on the above development.

Colin mentions a possible zebra crossing to be placed near Meadowslea because it is busy.

Chester Road is the centre of the village, 5 times as busy, a major route to a junior school,
crossed by many OAP's, many busy exits and used by horses. It has no crossing or traffic calming.

I was wondering if our county councillors have negotiated any concessions from McLeans for funds for
traffic calming on Chester Rd which is a short cut and rat run that
has over 1500 speeding cars, lorries and buses each day from 5.30 am to midnight?

Us human creatures in Chester Road have a right to an environment too.

The village centre currently trashed daily.
The figures of 1500 speeding vehicles daily can be confirmed by Flintshire Highways Dept.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

regards Colin

Penyffordd District

A Freedom of Information Request

I have made a request to Esmaeil Ahari - Project Manager for Arrive Alive. I have asked for a copy of the data collected by Hugh Jones, Arrive Alive Safer Roads Officer for Flintshire prior to the meeting with Flintshire Highways and my County Councillors in May 2007.
This data was collected for the 4 days prior to the meeting. This data is collected so Flintshire Highways have an exact view of the situation.
I have asked for the information in electronic format.

Open Door Newsletter

Castle Cement produce a community newsletter. Both in English and Welsh. A letter from Mark Cox who is general manager of Castle Cement Padeswood. Mark and staff wish us all a Merry Christmas. Mark mentions Emissions Watch who he says have a role to play but their information gathered must not be confused with kiln emissions which are continually measured and regulated to less than 30mg/Nm3. The maximum allowed by their permit.

Mark points out that Emissions Watch's monitors must also pick up other pollutants in the area as well. (inc. traffic pollutants)
Our village gets a regular stream of traffic pollutants off our main road to the By-Pass.

Castle Cement's sponsor the following groups.
Mold Rugby Club £1500.
Peny Y Group £19,000
Penyffordd Scouts and Guides £5,000
Penymynydd Church £9,000
Also many other causes are sponsored.

I wonder how Castle are fixed for a little traffic calming?

Employers to bear responsibility for their employees driving.

The publication of a new policy by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in relation to "bad" driving has implications not only for drivers but for employers and the police as well.
Link: BBC

Sunday - Race Afternoon

We are doing a little re-arranging so I have been out and about. On Sunday, Chester Road is plagued by many many 100's of speeding cars using Penyffordd as a short cut. I can't think of too many villages in Flintshire where cars are left to their own devices to do whatever speed they like.
Penyffordd is short of good county councillors.
Our current councillors are hopeless.

I am of a mind to re-start protest now but I will wait until January 2nd 2008.
My notice board in the hedge for 3000 daily passers by.

Trouble at Croes Atti Flint

Since I am currently in the protest business I keep my eye on developments else where.
I haven't got a full handle on what's happening at Croes Atti but ...........

Last week a lady was complaining her correspondence to Flintshire County Council was going missing. This week a letter by John Yorke who is a campaign leader against the way Flintshire County Council appear to be operating.
Noted.
1. The reluctance of officers to deal with her over requests for information.
2. County Councillors stating they had been misled by council officers.
3. Incensed County Director writes to Council Leader to protest the above
and for the correct information to be published to correct what councillors had misled about.
4. Three Flint County Councillors accuse protest group of misinformation.
I am currently experiencing a very mild version of this.
5. The protest leader states he has proof of all statements made.
I think he has done a FIA enquiry.
6. At Flintshire UDP enquiry only one proposal was offered in defense of the Croes Atti development, submitted after the closing date. (Thrown out.)
7. The signature on the above letter was allegedly that of a relative to the Flintshire County Council planning officer appearing before the enquiry.
8. Back to 2004 a member of the same planning team said that only a few vehicles would use the Croes Atti distributor road.
9. I suspect that the following was divined after a FOI request. Email from a County Director reads concern about estate design and the 2000 vehicles a day that would be using the area as a rat run.
10. A planning meeting where the planning application was passed. Flint County Councillors were substituted with non Flint Labour councillors.
11. The above was strongly criticised by the County's auditors.
12. Plans were changed to allow access from the A548 (bottom road)
13. WDA, the landowner has asked for time extensions from 3 to 5 years to finish landscaping commitments also they want higher house densities.

The campaign leader finishes by hoping that in the May elections 2008 Flint residents will be afforded service and understanding of their concerns.
Quite, I hope for a similar arrangement by Penyffordd County Councillors in the dealing with speeding cars in Chester Rd.

The Minister for Regeneration and Environment

This is Jane Davidson AM , Minister for Regeneration and Environment for the Welsh Assembly Government. I have 200o cars a day speeding passed my house every day Jane. We need some environment similar to Rossett. Also County Councillors to match.

So they have finally got one of us!

We have watched the HMRC data handout debacle from afar.
Not any longer!
The letter arrived in the post today

AGAIN! HMRC loses pensions data tape.

Totting up

So we now have the following identity record leaks:-

- HMRC Standard Life - 15,000
- HMRC child benefit database - 25 million
- HMRC Countrywide Assured - 6,500
- NI DVA - 6,500
- Driving Standards Agency - 3 million

The messing around when identity fraud is committed can be legion.
The compensation for worry, time, etc will not be forthcoming because its the government.

Link: Techworld

The Current State of the Village Centre Environment

So it is 300 days since I first brought the speeding traffic to the attention of my councillors. It didn't start out as a protest just a few emails to councillors.

The first gambit by Cllr Colin Bithell and Penyffordd Community Council was to tell me speeding traffic was nothing to do with them.

People and organisations who stand out.

1. The Evening Leader
2. Cllr Linda Vidamour
3. Cllr Cindy Hinds
4. Police Inspector Alun Oldfield.
5. Cllr Edwina Davies
6. Alan Skips
7. Springfield Building Supplies

People and organisations who do not shine.

County Cllr Colin Bithell.
County Cllr David Williams.
Flintshire County Council.
Airbus.
Raytheon.

David has been sending me a letter from Dave Faulkner of FCC for about a month. People ring him up about issues, he directs them to ring FCC. Not quite councillor mode.
Flintshire County Council in corporate spite mode. They give us half a rumble strip.

My friend Truth Crusader thinks nothing of the speeding traffic. His attitude sums up a proportion of Penyffordd.

Do we have the worst county councillors in the worst county in Wales?

So as we go into 2008. It's more eye catching signs and attempts to get in The Evening Leader.

The traffic speeds have altered little, still many over the limit.

I can feel a letter coming on

Very cold today. Third day in a shed of 2 degrees C. I have pulled my lower back doing inappropriate lifting. I also have a slight cold that is manageable.
My back gets better very slowly. Coughing causes a sharp spasm in my lower back. Sneezing is an option best to be avoided.

The traffic of course continues to plough through the village............................
Noisy and dangerous.

North Wales Police are finishing their traffic calming initiative this week.
It has altered some behaviour but it is not enough.

Having a village centre as a place to meet and talk rather than a speedy short cut to somewhere else seems foreign to some minds. Penyffordd has plenty of philistines and is seen a soft touch by Flintshire County Council.

Penyffordd village awaits an extra million or two vehicles a year with A55 Warren Hall, Broughton Park Extension, Warren Hall Business Park, Flintshire UDP and Wrexham UDP.

Flintshire County Council have given the thumbs up to The Welsh Assembly some time ago, Penyffordd roads will take all the above mentioned developments , no problem.

We are getting regeneration stuffed down our throats with no thought to village environments.

The Penyffordd By - Pass is already gridlocked at times before these extra millions arrive.
The late Cllr Derek Darlington saw all this coming. Our current councillors say nothing.

Much fun is going to be had with Freedom of Information requests.

Possible multi-use path between Mold and Saltney Junction

The track would be 12 miles long. The excellent Sustrans are involved. The route goes passed Castle Cement, Penyffordd Station and Airbus. Saltney Junction is close to the Saltney pedestrian bridge over the River Dee, then a long lane with little traffic leads to Sealand Road. Then its on the cycle path into Chester. From Mold to Chester on a cycle track with very little vehicle involvement.
External funding will be needed.

Planning for 29 houses on the Meadowslea site granted

Plans have been approved for 29 mock Tudor houses reports Kate Forrester of The Evening Leader. A building has been left standing because it has bats in it. Also there is a badger sett present.
Cllr Colin Bithell is looking forward to seeing the new bat house built. The application includes a small play area. Cllrs Colin Bithell and David Williams say they prefer more play area in central Penyffordd of which Penyffordd is short of. The badgers will also have to be built around.

Cllr Bithell opines that we should have a zebra crossing in the middle of the village.

This is something I agree with him as well a the bat house and the badgers, best not to let DEFRA know :(
It would help if it was on a raised platform so traffic cannot any longer just plough through the village. There is an issue here with less parking space for the Post Office. The removal of double yellow lines would help.

Postscript: I think Colin means a zebra crossing up the Vounog
2000 cars a day continue to speed through village.
Some villagers including Truth Crusader think me an idiot to protest.
Just wait until January my idiot friends

To my three readers

The blog may look a little strange whilst I wrestle with trying to get an image at the top of the blog.
There is a bug, so I will try different formats.

Things you don't read about Penyffordd County Councillors

Mold Councillors are looking for a showdown with Flintshire County Council over speeding issues in the town. Whilst my new friend Truth Crusader equates cars parking on paths with cars, motorcycles and lorries speeding passed my house at 50 mph by the 1000. We are a major route to school (primary), we have horses, OAP's and parked cars and the middle of the village.
My friend Truth Crusader has a strange regard for village environment.
I recommend a visit to Rossett. That model of traffic calming with a compulsory 20 mph in the village centre.

I see half of Flint appears to be a rat run. The natives are getting restless at Coed Onn and the surrounding areas. The one way system and a lack of by-pass being responsible for the rat runs.
Coed Onn awaits the onslaught of the Croes Atti development with its 400 houses plus 600 vehicles?

The Bewley family in The Evening Leader

Ian, Carol and Samantha Bewley, 12 of Penyffordd are out Geocaching.
Link: Geocaching

Cllr Edwina Davies Lady Captain of Padeswood and Buckley Golf Club 2008

Edwina stood with me for 2 hours last week while PC Chris Pullen attempted to calm the speeding hordes. Edwina informs me that she played competitive football up to the age of 40.
Edwina is the lady in pink on the right, second row.
No sign of a county councillor yet. They think little about village centre environment.

A Community Council for the 21st Century

Penyffordd Community Council should have its own website. Google's Blogger can meet the basic standards. Its easy to use and free. Council minutes put on the website before the following meeting. So residents can question respond to issues that affect them. A forum where matters can be aired.
I have had Nigel Jones (Clerk to The Community Council) speak to me. As he rightly points out minutes have to be ratified by The Community Council at the following meeting.

Cllr Linda Vidamour Community Councillor for Penyffordd

An Independent Councillor for Penyffordd. May we get more like Linda next May. Political flavour of no concern. Linda has pushed for a village newsletter. Lets hope it develops to something online. Lets have an inclusive democracy for the village. Not some top secret meeting once a month to which most people are oblivious. An email address for Penyffordd Community Council would be good.

Christmas Newsletter from Cllr Cindy Hinds Page 3

NEWS FROM THE VILLAGE

PENYFFORDD AREA COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION - This Association was formed because of the lack of facilities within the village. We are there for everyone young to old but our first priority was facilities for young people, mainly an area for different ball games.

I am pleased to say we now have planning permission for a multi-use games area on Millstone Playing Field for all our young people in the village. Due to the kindness of the Community Council, A.D. Waste and Castle Cement we are well on the way to achieving our aim. There is also a Committee, who work very hard to raise funds but help is always needed from any volunteers for future events to improve the quality of life for people in the village. The Association would welcome anyone to come to their meetings.

The time and place will be put on the notice board in the Post Office.

We would want to hear from all voluntary organisations and residents to are needed for our village.

The Pen-Y Group (which is some of the young people of the village) have received another award which is the “Criminal Justice Award” for their help in improving relations between young and old and giving a presentation on safety in senior citizens' homes. If anyone is unsure of what our aims and objectives are, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Steve Johnston (Chairman) on telephone no: 077 897 157 94 or myself. We are a registered charity and are here to help the community.

DANCING CLASSES ROYAL BRITISH LEGION

After 36 years of giving excellent service of running dancing classes, Mrs.

Pam Lomas has decided to retire. Pam held her final show in October and everybody thanked her for all she had done. It was a very emotional evening where she received a number of presents and bouquets of flowers Pam has been ably assisted over the years by Mrs. Jean Morley, Mrs. Barbara Large, Mr. Patrick Reeson and the late Mrs Val Ragsdale.

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION

The Royal British Legion in Pen-y-ffordd is more than just a place to go and socialise and have a drink. lts premises are used by many charitable organisations, mostly free of charge. A presentation evening was held in October for all those who took part in walks, bike rides etc. throughout the year to raise money for MacMillan nurses (total amount £9,000). These are so worthwhile and could not exist without people like The Ramblers. The Legion itself, through its membership continues to raise money for the welfare of our servicemen and women and its membership and its Branch, through the Poppy Day Appeal. It is seeking new members. The more members it has the more viable the club becomes and more money is raised for our serving and ex servicemen and women. If you would like to know more about the work of the Legion, both officially and socially,

to be continued

Christmas Newsletter from Cllr Cindy Hinds Page 2

ENVIRONMENT AGENCY - Some months ago, because of my concerns about any emissions and dust that may or may not have been coming from Caste Cement I agreed in July of this year to have a small monitoring system installed in my garden This is checked by the Environment Agency and I am pleased and relieved to say that up to this date they have not reported any contamination during their monitoring.

The Environment Agency is due to withdraw their main air pollution monitoring system which is based by The Institute. Carl Sargeant has objected to the air monitoring system being removed on behalf of his constituents.

CASTLE CEMENT - I also contacted Mr. Cox, General Manager of Castle Cement, with residents and my own concerns, mainly on dust and noise issues. Mr Cox has been very co-operative and vastly improved the infrastructure over the past three months and ensured a strong and continued focus on the environmental impact. Also he will be installing 5 noise suppression systems this month on dust plant motors and 2 acoustic screens by the end of the year, which will benefit noise emissions greatly.

UNITARY DEVELOPMENT PLAN - The U.D.P. for the village has been discussed at the Public Inquiry held at County Hall Mold, and is now well under way. A number of written and verbal submissions have been given to the Inquiry (including my own). The main complaints are the infrastructure and amenities e.g playing areas for all age groups of young people, adequate sewerage and drainage systems doctor's/dentist's services over-development, affordable housing, schools, the impact of more traffic on our village roads etc. I was very shocked to learn that we are losing another amenity, which is the clinic. This has been done without any discussions with our County Councillors and Community Councillors.

Considering the number of houses proposed for the village I still cannot understand Flintshire's Planning Committee, who are adamant that our villages can take at least 300 extra houses without all the facilities mentioned being dealt with first. I will endeavour to keep you informed as the Public Inquiry continues.

DOBSHILL - In response to some resident's complaints, I wrote to to
Flintshire C.C. s Highways Department on the 12 July 2007 concerning the dangers of having 60 mph in a residential area In response they stated "The Welsh Assembly Goverment is currently reviewing the criteria for the setting of local speed limits. Some further consultation is required by WAG on the published document and following ratification an assessment of all speed limits/requests will be made including consideration of the appropriate speed limit for Dobshill.''

A Christmas Newsletter from Cllr Cindy Hinds

This is the first part of Cindy's newsletter. I have some OCR (Optical Character Recognition) software which will scan a sheet of paper and turn the text into digital format.
As it is in the public domain I have not asked permission to copy. There may be an occasional mistake due to the OCR getting the wrong idea.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Policing - We now have a new Community Beat Manager, P,C. Chris Pullen. His telephone number is 0774 824 1744.

Police Neighbourhood Forum - Since the last but one Forum I am still receiving complaints about dog excrement on pavements, the Millstone Playing Field and other spots within the village. The vast majority of dog owners are very responsible and clear up their dog's mess and put it in the receptacles provided but that small minority still seem not to care for the environment in which they live. Could I make a plea to that small minority to please clear up their dog's mess? I have also received complaints about horse droppings on the footpath by the side of Meadow Rise and the Church. Many of us like to see horses and their owners riding or walking them through the village as it adds considerably to village life atmosphere.

The horse owners using this footpath. could you please use another area as the droppings are causing problems for our senior citizens and young children? Speeding and Heavy Goods Vehicles though Village - Speeding and heavy vehicles using the village as a rat run is still a concern among a number of people. Mr. Colin Hughes has been fighting very hard to get speed restrictions put on Chester Road and the heavy goods vehicles redirected along the by-pass instead of coming through the village. Whilst I believe in his sentiments of making Chester Road safer for pedestrians of all ages and heavy vehicles redirected is worth supporting, I feel at times he does go over the top with his enthusiasm. Another area where there are complaints of this kind is Vounog Hill. We know that on many occasions large vehicles do need to come into the village for access but there is no need for other vehicles to abuse the villagers by using it as a rat run.

The answer I received from Flintshire County Council's Highways Dept. to my letter (dated 12th July, 2007) regarding an environmental weight limit on heavy vehicles was this would only be possible with Police support, as they would have the sole responsibility for enforcement. It did be further discussed with the Traffic Inspector from Wrexham at the next Police Liaison meetings

A Test

I have allowed a person called truth crusader the rights to comment and publish.
Which side is he on?

A Doctor writes........................

Do you have feelings of inadequacy?
Do you suffer from shyness?
Do you sometimes wish you were more assertive?


If you answered yes to any of these questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist about Red Wine.

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Side effects may include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, incarceration, erotic lustfulness, loss of motor control, loss of clothing, loss of money, loss of virginity, delusions of grandeur, table dancing, headache, dehydration, dry mouth, and a desire to sing Karaoke and play all-night rounds of Strip Poker, Truth Or Dare, and Naked Twister.

WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may make you think you are whispering when you are not. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ WARNING: The consumption of alcohol is a major factor in dancing like a retard. >~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may cause you to tell your friends over and over again that you love them. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may cause you to think you can sing. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may lead you to believe that ex-lovers are really dying for you to telephone them at four in the morning. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may make you think you can logically converse with members of the opposite sex without spitting. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may create the illusion that you are tougher, smarter, faster and better looking than most people. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may lead you to think people are laughing WITH you. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may cause pregnancy. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may be a major factor in getting your ass kicked.

Further on the Chief Constable visiting Penyffordd

The above item covered by The Evening Leader. Cllr Colin Bithell photographed for the article. No mention of the speeding traffic through Chester Rd in the article. I suppose Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom and Colin Bithell can't be seen to have anything to do with a so called vigilante.

You only normally get vigilante type action when the people in charge ignore what's going on ( a commentator at the bottom thinks otherwise). I have well over a 1000 speeding cars passed my house every day which is in the centre of the village. Both Colin and Cllr David Williams have shown little interest. A look around at councils around me shows better run villages. Rossett being a shining example. Compulsory 20 mph and traffic calming measures that make it near impossible to do more than 20 mph.

I noticed the other morning when out on the speed gun with PC Chris Pullen that there were quite a few children cycling to school. It's criminal that this traffic is allowed to fly through the village. Quite a few are fellow villagers, out of their little cul de sacs, foot to the floor. It was a culture shock for the rat run that morning. More speed training this week.

We are having trouble in the village with youths at the moment. The Chief Constable was shown a 20 minute video by a villager showing the antics of the youths. At one point one of the youths was seen "mooning" in front of the others. To the uninitiated showing his bum.

The Traffic Calming Initiative by North Wales Police nearly half way through. A difference of behaviour ie. less speed, can be seen by some drivers.

Penyffordd Residents to Sue Castle Cement

Residents to sue Castle Cement over dust and noise

Dec 3 2007 by Carl Butler, Daily Post

DOZENS of villagers who say their lives have been made a misery by a nearby cement factory are planning to sue for the “nuisance” it causes.

Click here

Someone has been using my Wireless Broadband

One of my community councillors thinks I'm quite good with computers. I can however be a little thick. We have had this occasional problem accessing the internet. Its very frustrating because it goes then comes back. Anyway, I have a wireless Belkin router.
We do not use the wireless bit at present, we are all hard wired.
For months I have been wondering if the Police were downloading my hard drive or we were being used in some DNOS denial of service attack as a "BOT"

I wouldn't mind but someone has been hogging all the bandwidth.
We have nearly lost money on Ebay auctions.

It would appear my wireless side of the router is open. This is done as a default. I think this is wrong. I ran an IP address that was in the firewall log.
It's in China ..............................
I live next door to a Chinese Take Away.

I have looked at the wireless security before.
It looks complex.
There are 4 versions
The fear is being locked out by the firewall without the encryption key.
Anyway my friends next door appear to be sorted.
I've set the encryption to mild.

Environment Agency Wales

is to remove its air quality monitoring equipment in Penyffordd. One presumes this is the white unit on The Penyffordd Institute field. They feel the air quality is so good that monitoring is not required as previously done. Castle Cement will continue to monitor their own air quality.
The stack monitoring equipment will stay in place

Castle Cement's equipment has been described as antique in some circles. Perhaps they have upgraded?

The independently run charity Emission Watch will continue to monitor Castle Cement with their highly sophisticated equipment.


Links : Emission Watch

The Chief Constable on the telly

A BBC Wales production called The Chief. I thought a good programme. He has grabbed the headlines with zero tolerance towards motorists then we are given modern community policing in the television program. A complete reversal of his previous stance.

Wasn't listening too closely so the references to Ned Ludd and parachuting went over my head until I read the link. I suppose if politicians are going to take pot shots at him they can expect a little ribbing return. The motorcycle incident is particularly bizarre. We apparently have a motorcyclist doing inappropriate speed with no tax, mot or insurance who crashed into a family car trapping a young family for ninety minutes inside their own car with his body and its then all the Chief Constable's fault. I haven't seen much about the family in the criticisms. An experience that would scar a person mentally and emotionally for life.

Links: Ned Ludd

The Chief Constable tours Penyffordd

We get the boss instead. Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom did a two hour tour of Penyffordd with Inspector Alun Oldfield, PC Chris Pullen, Cllr Colin Bithell, Linda Vidamour and other community councillors.

Another two sessions on the speed gun

A big thank you to Cllr Edwina Davies for standing in the cold with PC Chris Pullen and myself. Chris on the speed gun. This morning, a bmw got booked. He was doing 40 mph outside my house.
Another male wet himself when he saw Chris pointing the gun at him. Wound the window down and shouted "get a life". Not sure whether he meant me or Chris.
Another male who lived in Penymynydd Rd stopped and said we need to get out side the school as they speed passed his house which is next to the school. This is of course the road with the ineffective speed bumps.
More sessions next week.

Assistant Chief Constable to visit Penyffordd

This Thursday afternoon Assistant Chief Constable Clive Wolfenden will be visiting Penyffordd. Along with PC Chris Pullen, the Assistant Chief Constable will be talking to County Cllr Colin Bithell, Cllr Cindy Hinds, Cllr Edwina Davies and others.

Link : BBC

Prime Minister Gordon Brown sets out his new World Vision

In The Guardian ( Click here)
He talks about competing with India and China in manufacturing. We will need robots to beat China and India if we can get the materials. I agree with him with regards nuclear power generating. Wales should be building new generation reactors next to the old ones.
In general his new world vision seems faster and harder.

I am not going along with this part myself.

The automatons (general population) will just go along with all this as if hypnotised.

The extra highly skilled workers might be an issue considering what is thought about our education system at present in some quarters.

No mention of environment....................
Yes I know we live in Wales.
Our village centre continues to be trashed with speeding noisy traffic even though we have a by-pass.

The Rat Run continues

Two more traffic calming sessions this week. Flintshire County Council know the size of the problem. Why do we have to go through this merry dance? From where I'm sitting Cllr Colin Bithell seems to be in between a rock and a hard place. It's almost as if he has given the nod for an extra 2 million cars (guessed at) through the village post Broughton developments.
Colin is also a community councillor for Broughton.

The Orchid Man of Penyffordd

Link: The Orchid Man (Deva Orchids)

Went to Maureen's last night. Managed to escape my normal head damage. We took only one bottle of wine between us. I notice in the papers that the actor Michael Caine before he got married would drink more than two bottles of spirits a day. Maureen has three orchids, two real, one false. The false one is doing ok, hard to tell the difference. One of the others isn't. So Maureen is off to see the Orchid Man this week.
My friend Yvonne has given me an orchid. I inspect it everyday jut in case.

Charles Hughes, Head of Highways and Engineering

In the papers with Cllrs Terry Walker and Gareth Williams. Flintshire County Executive have approved harmonising the Saltney Road so that it is all 30 mph.
I ended up on the front page of The Evening Leader after having a go at him on my blog.
Since then I have thought that the current inaction is not particularly down to Charles. It's further up the command chain.

He sat opposite me on the 3rd of May 2007 knowing full well the extent of speeding through the village. Cllr Colin Bithell chaired the meeting, Cllr David Williams turning up late as in half way through. I have no proof but I think the meeting was a stitch up.

We ended up with half a rumble strip and an extra sign, with some half promise of about a proactive speed warning sign. I had all the latest and best ways of slowing traffic down in villages in my folder. I also asked about pushing the 30 mph limit back up the hill which was met with plenty of excuses.

So we go through this merry dance. North Wales Police in the form of PC Chris Pullen with his speed gun are having ten sessions to try to slow down the rat runs. We also have constant speeding traffic through most of the day.

The NWP initiative reminds me of King Canute being told he can stop the waves as the tide comes in. This is not to deride NWP. PC Chris Pullen is very good. He needs some support from our councillors.

After the Police initiative organised by Inspector Alun Oldfield, Flintshire Highways will do a further check on the speed of the traffic with Hugh's magic box.

Rossett has the best way of controlling traffic and have a compulsory 20 mph speed limit in the middle of their village.

I prepare my campaign to bring speeding and road noise to the fore in the local elections next May 08. Are my issues of relevance to most Penyffordd people, No!
Most are philistines but perhaps I make an error in my judgement? There is also the issue of most people's lifestyle which is a dash round from dawn to dusk. Work, children and supermarkets. I see the looks on their faces as they charge through the village, automatans!

Meanwhile the speeding continues, the village centre a race track.
I risk getting a good hiding or my car damaged by a local because he gets a speed fine and points.
All because of Flintshire County Council.

Further news on a proposed Spon Green Development

Cllr Gareth Williams for Buckley has distributed 400 leaflets about a Jimsul proposal for 340 homes plus complex to be bolted on at Spon Green. This of course erodes green space between Buckley and Penyffordd.
Cllr Williams states that such a development would endanger the viability of Buckley town centre.
He says we (I think he means Flintshire) need a development of this size but the time is inappropriate.
The Gateway to Wales, Warren Hall Developments and Airbus expansion are in their early stages.
We need to see how Flintshire UDP and the Local Development Plan are finalised before we proceed.
Source. The Chronicle

Meanwhile Penyffordd sleeps on. An extra couple of million cars a year destined to come ploughing through our rural village that has a by-pass.

If Spon Green goes ahead and when Warren Hall Business Park is finished we can create a new town called Pen-y-Buckley-Broughton.

Penyffordd Group Action against Castle Cement

Click image to enlarge. The document has been shrunk and cropped for easy web loading.
One important point to bear in mind is that a unilateral withdrawal of the action by the Penyffordd Action Group whilst Henry James are employed on the case would attract a charge on every member. A good idea to see that Arnold has signed his agreement. It is hoped the case will operated on a no win, no fee basis. The action in the main is to make sure that Castle do their best to look after our environment and to reward our solicitors well.

One nuisance being considered is "the loss of enjoyment of the garden"
I have this nuisance with regards traffic noise. Do I have a case against Flintshire County Council?

Ann Earlam, from Penyffordd, near Mold

Blind student's example to the disabled

Student Ann Earlam makes use of the colleges in-house audio materials.

By Staff reporter

A BLIND student from Flintshire is encouraging other disabled learners to follow her example after achieving a succession of qualifications at her local college.

Ann Earlam, from Penyffordd, near Mold, has been studying at West Cheshire College's Chester campus for the past six years where she has been exploring her passion for writing, achieving a GCSE grade B in English, along with qualifications in CLAIT and European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL).

The Evening Leader Full Story here

Traffic Calming Progress Report No 2

Another on the evening rat run 4 to 6 pm.
The Clerk to The Council Nigel Jones stood with PC Chris Pullen for about 30 minutes. Thank you Nigel.
I joined Chris from about 4.30pm to 5.50pm. Chris wrote out a few warnings and booked a local male for doing 41 mph. The male denied he was doing 41 mph. Shortly after whilst advising a grandma with regards her speed a car pulled up. A male quite agitated telling Chris he should be catching criminals and not stopping speeders. Chris asked him to wait whilst he dealt with the lady.
There then followed a conversation which lasted about 15 minutes. At times Chris appeared to be advising the male as to his conduct.
I am very impressed with how Chris dealt with this situation. I did not like the look of the complainant one bit. I though he might be related to the male he booked earlier.

More sessions next week with Community Beat Managers from other communities coming along for training.
There was a marked decline in speeding during the session. I need to re-calibrate my estimation of speeding by the eye. I am over +5 mph out! lol.

Our 1st G Payment

A customer has opted to pay us by google payments. It's all looking a little slow (up to 90 minutes to pay) but this is the way forward. I hope for a revolution of the financial system. I can't see why Google can't be roped in to help with email voting using GMail.

Postscript: It failed.

Is it our settings?
Our website company?
The customer?

Or even us or Google . Some mixup between Google checkout and Google merchant cookies?

The payment has gone through. It went through within a minute of asking for it.

Penyffordd Community Council Meeting October 2007

PEN-Y-FFORDD COMMUNITY COUNCIL

THE MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE MEETING OF THE

PEN-F-FFORDD COMMUNITY COUNCIL, HELD IN THE WAR MEMORIAL INSTITUTE, ON WEDNESDAY THE 3^RD OF OCTOBER 2007.

PRESENT

Cllr S E Davies, Chairman of the Council (in the chair)

Cllr J W Bell, Vice Chairman

Cllrs C Bithell, Mrs E M Davies, J Davies, Mrs C Hinds, Mrs M D Jones, T

W Jones OBE, S H Shone, Mrs L Vidamour

IN ATTENDANCE

G N I Jones, Clerk to the Council.

90a MINUTES

Resolved

That the minutes of the proceedings of the meeting held on Wednesday the 5th of September 2007 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman of the committee, Cllr J W Bell.

91. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

Minute No 72 - Castle Cement Ltd - Cllr C Bithell

Cllr C Bithell referred to the address given by Mr Morris as a concise and valuable discussion.

He continued that Emission Watch reported certain happenings in the evening that the Environmental Agency are now taking notice of, and that the Environment Agency are now looking to step up the monitoring of emissions during the evening, Cllr Bithell was pleased to note that an understanding seems to be developing between Emission Watch and the Environment Agency.

Minute no 73 - Police Liaison

Cllr T W Jones referred to paragraph 3 on page 43, which read “Cllr T W Jones commented that Cllr Bithell was quite right in expressing his

ineptitude with the police", Cllr Jones suggested that part of the preamble be restyled as follows, “Cllr T W Jones commented that Cllr C Bithell was quite right in expressing his concern at ineptitude to the Police."

Members agreed with the addition.

Cllr C Bithell reminded members that he had asked the Community Beat Manager, PC Chris Pullen to in turn ask the new Inspector Alun Oldfield if he would investigate further the circumstances surrounding the itinerants occupation of the former at Dobshill Hospital, Cllr Bithell had not had any comeback from PC Chris Pullen.

Minute No 85 - Pen-y-Ffordd Post Office

Cllr Mrs L Vidamour thanked the members for supporting the suggestion that a flyer be distributed throughout the community, and in support of the retention of the Pen-y-Ffordd Post Office.

The Postmistress Mrs Mary Foley had reported that she was aware that many people within the villages had acted in accordance with the request.

Cllr C Bithell was of the opinion that a similar letter should be communicated from the Pen-Y-Ffordd Community Council, members agreed at this suggestion.

92. POLICE LIAISON

The Community Beat Manager PC Chris Pullen was not in attendance at meeting.

Cllr Mrs L Vidamour however reported that she had been asked by the Community Beat Manager, at the Police and Community Panel meeting to inform that the police would support the introduction of signage, ‘Local traffic only' at the enhance to the villages, especially in Hawarden Road where heavy goods vehicles are apparently using Chester Road to call at the Spa.

This matter had been instigated by a resident adjacent to The Spar Mr John Davies.

Cllr T W Jones expressed his concern with regard to heavy goods vehicles passing through Pen-y-Ffordd, not only Hawarden Road, but also Vounog Hill, and that a letter be communicated to both the Community Beat Manager, and to the Director of Environment and Regeneration, Flintshire County Council.

Asking for measures to be introduced which would prevent the problem of heavy goods vehicles passing through Hawarden Road and Vounog Hill.

Cllr Jones concluded that if there was an awareness of a persistent offender, then a polite request could be made to the business, requesting that the vehicles avoid the village of Pen-y-Ffordd, and use the more suitable routes.

Members were in agreement with the suggestion of Cllr T W Jones.

Resolved

That an appropriate letter be communicated to the Director.

93. PEN-Y-FFORDD POST OFFICE

The Clerk reported that in accordance with Minute No 85 of the September meeting, the flyers in support of the retention of the Pen-y-Ffordd Post Office have been distributed through the Community Council area.

Resolved

That the information as provided by the Clerk be noted.

94. PLANNING APPLICATIONS

Cllr C Bithell wished it to be recorded in the minutes that he would not be making any decisions on planning applications at Community Council level, and not until such time as the Planning Officers' report has been produced.

1.PIan No. 043703

Proposal: Outline - residential and associated works

Location; Land at rear of The Oaks, Rhos Road. Pen-y-Ffordd

Resolved

That the application be supporterd, provided that the location is within the settlement boundary.

2. Plan No. 043930

Proposal: Erection of a single stored extension to rear to form bedroom and lounge

Location: 16 Westview, Pen-y-Ffordd, Chester.

3.PIan No. 043868

Proposal: Erection of a conservatory to rear

Location: 2 Bannel Bridge, Bannel lane, Buckley

Resolved

That applications 2 and 3 above be supported.

PEN-Y-FFORDD JUNIOR SCHOOL

The Clerk reported that pursuant to the resolution of the July meeting, and following the flooding, the Head of Neighbourhood Area Services informs the gullies in the area have been checked and clear of obstruction.

The Surface gullies are connected into a surface water system that is owned and maintained by Welsh Water.

The gullies in this area will continue to be inspected and cleaned at regular intervals, and Welsh Water had been advised of the Community Council's concern.

Cllr C Bithell informed that the hole in the wall that had caused the flooding has now been repaired.

Resolved

That the forgoing information be recorded.

95. FLINTSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL - CONSULTATION ON

ALLOCATIONS POLICY

Members had been previously circulated with a document outlining the Flintshire County Council's consultation on Allocations Policy, this being necessary following amendments to Part 6 of the Housing Act 1996 by the Homeless Act 2002.

Resolved

That the document be received.

96. FOOTPATH VOUNOG HILL TO PARK CRESCENT

Correspondence received from the Head of Neighbourhood Area Services informed that in response to the Community Council’s request, dated the 28^th of March 2007, for the introduction of a staggered barrier on the footpath between Vouncog Hill and Park Crescent, a works ticket has been issued for its installation.

Resolved

That the information be received with thanks.

97. PENTRE HALKYN YOUTH CLUB - GRANT AID FLINTSHIRE

COUNTY COUNCIL

Pursuant to the enquiry as to whether or not Pen-y-Ffordd Community Council could be considered for Grant Aid similarly to Pentre Halkyn Youth Clubs a response from the County Youth and Community Officer informed that the Grant Aid afforded to Pentre Halkyn Youth Club was a proposed Match Funding arrangement between Flintshire County Council and Halkyn Community Council.

The Clerk advised that Pen-y-ffordd Youth Club had been treated similarly in the way of an additional opening evening, financed partly by the Pen-y-Ffordd Community Council, and the Flintshire County Council.

Resolved

That the forgoing information be recorded.

98. STREET LIGHTING GENERAL

Cllr I Davies reported a defective Flintshire County Council lighting column outside of 12 Hawarden Road, Pen-y-Ffordd.

Resolved

That the matter be reported to the Flintshire County Council.

99. COMMUNITY FUND

Cllr T W Jones informed that he had received a request from County Cllr David Williams for a matter to be raised, as Cllr Williams had indicated to Cllr Jones that certain businesses may wish to subscribe to a fund, which could possibly be administered by the Community Council, which could be used to provide certain facilities etc, which would not be otherwise provided.

Cllr Williams had indicated to Cllr Jones that he would be prepared to make a donation to open the fund.

Cllr Jones proposed that such a fund be opened subject to clarification by the Clerk that the Community Council has the powers to administer such a fund.

Cllr Mrs E M Davies, Mrs C Hinds, and S H Shone referred to the fund already established by the Pen-Y group, and questioned whether or not another fund was necessary.

Cllr Mrs Hinds informed that the Pen-Y group is now a registered charity and that all monies received would obviously be for the benefit of the village, she was concerned that the existence of another find may undermine the activity of the Pen-Y group.

Cllr T W Jones made the point that the Pen-y-ffordd Community Council is a statutory body and people may feel that they would wish to make such a contribution.

The Chairman allowed Cllr David Williams to elaborate, he suggested that not all members of the community may be aware of what the Pen-Y group is looking to do, he stressed that he did not wish to detract from the work being carried out by the Pen-Y group, but that such a fund may be able to provide other requirements other that what the Pen-Y group are looking to do.

Cllr C Bithell refferred to the Section 106 agreement, with regard to development, and that the Flintshire County Council can only use such monies within the curtilage of the community.

Resolved

That in principle such a fund be established, dependant upon the ethics of doing so, and that the matter be re-agendad for the November meeting, for further discussion.

100. OVERGROWN HEDGES

Members reported overgrown hedges in Bannel Lane, on Vounog Hill and in Kent Close.

Resolved

That the matter be reported to the relevant Officer of the Flintshire County Council.

101. NEWSLETTER This matter has been instigated by Cllr Mrs L Vidamour, following a conversation with the Clerk of Llanfynydd Community Council.

Cllr Mrs Vidamour elaborated that within the Llanfynydd Community Council area there are six wards, and members from each ward contribute towards the compilation of the Newsletter, which is produced quarterly, and funded partly by business people in the area.

Furthermore its distribution is carried out by members of the particular ward.

She was able to inform that the last quarters Newsletter cost in the region of £750.00.

Cllr Mrs Vidamour also informed that members who form the Newsletter Committee are familiar with computerised and photographic techniques.

Cllr Mrs Vidamour questioned whether or not such a task could be carried out by the Community Council alone.

Cllr S H Shone posed the question is what we do now not doing the job, and is it necessary to alter this to such a large scale.

Cllr T W Jones referred to the information provided in the Hope Parish Church magazine, and felt in a way that this would be duplicated, as this magazine contains extracts from the minutes of the Pen-y-Ffordd Community Council, a report from the Women's Institute, and from the Flower Club.

Cllr Mrs L Vidamour suggested therefore that perhaps the existing Newsletter could in some way be enhanced.

Resolved

To further this, a meeting of the sub-committee previously identified, namely Cllr Mrs E M Davies, Cllr T W Jones and Cllr Mrs L Vidamour along with the Clerk meet on Wednesday the 17th October to further the matter.

102. APPLICATIONS FOR FINANCIAI.ASSISTANCE

The Clerk advised that the amount included in the budget, including the Bonfire Appeal is £ 3,200.

ln addition to the schedule previously circulated, the Clerk advised that he had received an application from the Red Lion Strollers, which meant in effect that there were seven local applications.

A further application was received from Pontblyddyn Cricket Club where in excess of twenty children from the Pen-y-Ffordd Community Council area practiced regularly throughout the year, and also the Coaches from Pontblyddyn Cricket Club visit the Pen-y-Ffordd Junior School.

There were six National applications.

Resolved

That the applications for financial assistance be determined as follows:

1. Pen-y-Ffordd Flower Club

2. Community Bonfire and Firework Display

3. Trinity Chapel, Pen-y-Ffordd

4. Pen-y-Ffordd Tennis Club

5. Pen-y-Ffordd and Penymynydd Community Bowling Club

6. St Joln's Church Pentrobin

7. Pontblyddyn Cricket Club

8. Red Lion Strollers

* That each of the above applicants receive an amount of £375

9. Wales Air Ambulance

10. Bobath Children’s Therapy Centre Wales

1 1. Alzheimer's Society

12. North Wales Association for Spina Bifida

That the above four applications receive the amount of £50.

* Note: Cllr Mrs M D Jones declared a personal interest in the application received from the Pen-y-Fordd Flower Club.

The Vice Chairman Cllr J W Bell declared an interest in the Pen-y-Ffordd and Penymynydd Community Bowling Club

C11r T W Jones declared a personal interest in the John's church, Pentrobin.

Confidential meeting about a claim against Castle Cement

We have been to a meeting in The Penyffordd Institute. Blogging may be difficult due to legal restrictions.

I suppose I can talk about it. Will just have to try to decide what the lawyers present meant by confidential material.

The meeting was arranged without telling the all Penyffordd Community Council. I think this a little out of order.

Meeting started about 7.10 pm. There were about 70 villagers in the Penyffordd Institute. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss a proposed group action claim against Castle Cement for Public Nuisance.
The meeting was put together I think by Arnold Wooley in a private capacity rather than as a councillor. Due to Health and Safety regulations it was decided to post letters to 10% of the population plus a few chosen individuals. The population of Penyffordd cannot fit into The Penyffordd Institute.

The meeting was started by Arnold Wooley. He is big on arm sign language and pregnant pauses.
He made sure that part of him was lit up by the projector for dramatic effect. Arnold introduced the two lawyers who were going to do the presentation.

The Legal Eagles Hugh James
The largest firm of solicitors based in Wales.

Partner: Neil Stockdale Click here
Leading Solicitor Gwen Evans.

A list of some of their cases. Click here

The presentation lasted about 45 minutes with the help of a projector and laptop probably a Power Point presentation.

Neil Stockdale asked at the start of his presentation if there were any members of The Press or Castle Cement present. No answers. Are bloggers members of The Press?



To be continued.......

Traffic Calming Progress Report No1

Its 16.30 pm, it's getting dark, it's raining PC Chris Pullen is out with his speed gun.
I think a few people will flash one another. Whilst he stops vehicles others storm passed.
Brisk business he is stopping a vehicle within a minute or two of advising a speeder of their wrong doing.
I think I also spot a cold community councillor. A big thank you to Linda Vidamour!
A culture shock for many drivers when they see PC Chris Pullen with a speed camera.
Chris is keen on education and not booking.
It will be interesting to see Flintshire Highways data after the initiative.
In general the Penyffordd Community Council and County Councillors are NOT interested in this what so ever.
I hope 75% of them stand down in May 08.
I see the letters have started their back and two in the papers between political parties.

After he has gone it's back to normal. Motorists ploughing through the village.

A popular guy is me...................not

So I've been going on about all these cars speeding passed my house everyday for about 10 months. Tomorrow is the 1st day of the initiative. Today has been one of the worst days of the year so far weather wise. I have altered my work so that I will be around.

Penyffordd Councillors* in the main are luke warm or not bothered at all about speeding in Chester Rd. This is why it has got to this.

Cllr Colin Bithell has every right to think I have a personal vendetta against him. This is not the case. I only speak out because he is not seeing the issue of these 2000 odd (its nearer 2200) speeding passed my house every day. A little ironic that he may have to put in an appearance in the damp, cold and the dark for 90 minutes.

He has had 11 months to pop down and watch the traffic during rush hour. Cllr David Williams thinks the speeding of little or no merit. ( I have email proof )

The current initiative is welcome, its good to have a switched on Police Inspector such as Alun Oldfield.
It will be interesting to watch developments. I am personally negative on the police being able to slow this traffic down.
Flintshire County Council waste North Wales Police time by not employing traffic calming techniques that Wrexham Council have applied to Rossett.

*excepting Cindy Hinds and Linda Vidamour.

Youth Trouble continues

It would appear that we have a group of youths looking for trouble. Someone has thrown a bin at a bus last night. Whether the youths or persons involved in the above matter are from Penyffordd is another story. This is on top of last week when some masonry was removed from a wall near the butchers and smashed the glass panels of the telephone box. Possibly drink related. A mother was seen give a pack of 24 beers to youths in the middle of the village last week................

Postscript. Looks Buckley

Unwanted Attention

item removed

A Rural village Trashed?

Today (no its isn't, I'll put it down to SAD) is the first in a series of ten sessions by PC Chris Pullen with his speed gun.
Ten sessions will not crack this nut but it is a start.

My County Councillors are not keen. Cllr Colin Bithell still thinks I am telling fibs about 2000 speeders a day. As I live upstairs a quick glance out of the at any minute of the day between 5.30 am and 11.00pm tells me I am not far off the mark.
Only Cllr Cindy Hinds and Cllr Linda Vidamour share my concerns.

The only shining light in all this is Police Inspector Alun Oldfield of North Wales Police.
When he looks at the data produced by Flintshire Highways it will all become apparent.
I think he has already seen May 07 speed data, a bit of an embarrassment for some.

Are Flintshire County Council the worst county in Wales? From where I'm sitting they seem so.
A visit to a Wrexham village like Rossett confirms my view of Flintshire.
A previously badly managed County Council still living with a hangover. Flintshire County Council currently have their cap in hand begging for more money from the Welsh Assembly for upgrades to housing which they can't afford to modernise to WAG's standards.

Village environment seems not to be on the table.

A recent survey mentioned in The Evening Leader that Flintshire is a good place to live.
Is that compared to living next to a motorway?

Then we have three upcoming Broughton developments to add an extra couple of million a year through Chester Road, Penyffordd. Not one bleep from my county councillors over this. Perhaps they are waiting for the right moment.

Flintshire County Council thinks Penyffordd a soft touch, I think they are right.

Penyffordd Neighbourhood Forum Nov 2007

Not very well attended.
PC Chris Pullen raised the current issues.

1. HGV exclusion from the village.
Flintshire County Council response as thought.
A £1000 consultation fee before things can be looked at properly.
After various discussions it was decided to remove this item from the agenda for now.
The community council would need to approach Flintshire County Council for a "local traffic only" sign.

2. Anti Social Behavior in Millstone Pub play area.
A quantity of empty alcoholic cans.
Seems at the moment to be a one off.
An assessment of the area to be carried out by Chris including more regular patrols..

3. Speeding traffic in Chester Rd, Penyffordd.
10 sessions with speed gun to be carried out.
I've volunteered for 9.
Maybe best if I don't do one with Cllr Colin Bithell. :) I think I may be doing a couple.

A further speed survey by Flintshire Highways. This is very good news.
Traffic below 15 mph to filtered out of survey to allow for traffic that has just left
Penymynydd Rd onto Chester Rd and is in 2nd gear.

The speed survey is the ultimate tool in measuring speeding traffic.

Since North Wales Police Inspector Alun Oldfield will be seeing these figures I am hopeful
that this issue will be stamped upon in greater force until eliminated.

Chester Road, Penyffordd is to be put on a North Wales Traffic Police Hot Spot List.
When traffic police are not dealing with specific traffic issues they will be visiting
hot spots on a rotation basis.
Police Sargeant Best from Wrexham Division is in charge of this hot spot list.

Pro active speeding signs still ongoing.

Penyffordd Traffic Calming Initiative by North Wales Police.

An email from PC Chris Pullen with times and dates for sessions with his speed radar gun. NWP want councillors involved so that it shows that the community care about their village environment.
There has been 2 or 3 councillors who are not keen on this type of initiative involving themselves. I think quite a few more as well.

This might partially explain why Chester Rd has about 2200 speeders each day.
Take Pontblyddyn which is the main link between Wrexham and Mold. They have the traffic tied down to 30 mph. They have a community council with vision.

Here in Penyffordd traffic does 40 mph plus on the by-pass and makes Penyffordd sound like it is next to the A55 when wind blows as it normally does. Also the traffic surface is noisy.

Penyffordd Councillors in general think very little about our village centre environment.
Cllrs Cindy Hinds and Linda Vidamour being exceptions.
We currently have 2200 speeding cars due to our County Councillors lack of vision for Penyffordd. We are currently seen as a good short cut and little else, a soft touch.

Our County Councillors seem quite happy with Broughton developments bringing Penyffordd an extra two or three million cars a year through the village.

I will be volunteering for any spots not taken up by councillors.

One hopes for county councillors and community councillors to rise to the challenges to our village environment in this 21st century.