Llangollen 2020: Businesses give honest thoughts on project

It was initially set up to look at ways of easing traffic and parking problems in the town centre for the benefit of residents, businesses and tourists.

However, it seems to have done quite the opposite. 

Attention has been drawn to the project and the current roadworks in the town following two incidents where the Llangollen Bridge on Castle Street has been damaged. 

Last week it was reported that constructors had damaged the bridge and on Tuesday, a bin wagon had collided with the wall and railings outside Dee Side Bistro. 

READ MORE: Concerns raised over 2020 project

The project has removed the 'pop and shop' aspect in the town, with parking and roadwork troubles causing businesses to struggle. 

Fiona Davies and her dad Gwyn Davies, say they sold their butchers shop due to the impact of the current traffic problems. 

"It's been a disastrous scheme, it's utterly heartbreaking to see so many people being affected. 

Gwyn Davies was forced into selling his butchers shop. Pic: Google Maps)

"We couldn't have carried on with the financial implications we had. People lost the option of 'pop and shop' and they started going elsewhere. 

"My dad was close to retirement anyway, but this was the final straw for us. We didn't feel wanted or valued, there was no consideration for us. 

"It's going to kill the town, they'll be nothing left on the high street."

Another business owner really feeling the impact is Jenni Lloyd, who own's Jenni's, a clothes shop on Market Street. 

She said: "They've totally disregarded peoples views. It's been opposed and challenged, but there have been no changes. 

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"It's going to become a ghost town. Llangollen relies on tourism and the road can't cope with the amount of traffic. There are more cars and lorries coming down every day and they are deciding to narrow the roads? The whole thing hasn't been thought through. 

"I used to have a busy shop, but since the work has started I've had to drop to three days a week because I don't have the demand from people. 

"I can't do anything about it now, but if it carries on, I'll have to walk away from Llangollen."

The Roadworks have caused lots of traffic issues in the town

Llangollen Town Councillor Stuart Davies has been very vocal about getting residents' views across. 

Mr Davies said: "Any views from residents have been ignored. The bottom line is, it's destroyed businesses, for example the only butcher in the town had to shut because of it. 

"People are really not happy about it, lives are being disrupted."

Mr Davies also added that he feels incidents like the ones that have recently taken place will continue to happen unless something is done to address it.  

Emlyn Jones, Denbighshire Council’s head of planning, public protection and countryside services, said: “For the past three years the council has been working closely with the Llangollen 2020 group to develop these proposals.

READ MORE: Night time road closures set for Llangollen as council issue update on 2020 project

“As an authority, we have also engaged and listened to local residents, businesses and other stakeholders and where possible accommodated a number of changes which complement the overall scheme.

“This work provides more space for pedestrians and improved pedestrian crossing facilities making it easier for pedestrians to walk around the town centre, while upgraded traffic signals will improve the flow of vehicles."