Wrexham: City centre roads to close on weekends

In a partnership between Wrexham police and council, a temporary road closure will be in place every Friday and Saturday evening from November 25 onwards from 6pm to 5am. 

Wrexham Inspector Luke Hughes previously called for Abbott Street, High Street and Town Hill to be made "off limits" to vehicles in the evening, following a vehicle collision in August. 

Inspector Luke Hughes (Image: North Wales Police)

Signage in place states that currently, traffic is not permitted on High Street - with the exception of buses and loading.

Town Hill and Abbott Street operate on a one-way system for motor vehicles, with 30 minute parking permitted in a limited number of spaces, as well as some spaces designated for disabled badge holders and loading.

READ MORE: Wrexham Inspector's call for evening road closures to vehicles 

Inspector Hughes said: "My concerns were, certainly on a Friday and Saturday night, it didn't feel all that safe with cars moving up and down the high street, parking all down the road and very congested. 

"Therefore the idea to close those roads will remove those vehicles, and whilst I do understand there may be an inconvenience for a few people, the vast majority of visitors to the city centre will feel a lot more safe."

Wrexham police have seen increased footfall over the last few weekends through the city centre and coming up to Christmas feel that city centre safety is a priority. 

Inspector Hughes added: "Having this closure now and the future closures on a Friday and Saturday night going forward will just make the environment a bit safer."

Speaking to the Leader in August PC Sarah Hughes-Jones said: "The main problem we have in the town is the volume of traffic, definitely.

"Traffic goes through all night - predominantly boy racers, but there are also taxi drivers, delivery drivers and people who are just dropping off and picking up.

"We definitely see a higher risk for the night time economy clientele who are out on the town.

"We have a higher level of intoxicated people not being aware of the green cross code, at the very least.

"With the logistics of some venues we have people coming out and being about a metre from the main road.

"That doesn't give much scope if there's an incident brewing; we have people on the cusp of the highway."

However, in August some city centre businesses did not welcome the potential closures. 

Levi Brentnall, 29-year-old owner of The Sweet Life on Town Hill, said: "It would cripple us as a business - and it would cripple other businesses on this road.

"For delivery drivers, this road is essential. If businesses close here, they are not going to come back."

He added passing traffic also offers more visibility for his and other businesses on the road, adding that risks to pedestrians and pubgoers could be mitigated by the installation of barriers or bollards at the pavement's edge.

Despite some criticisms several businesses voiced their support for the closures.

Steven Vale, owner of Caroline's Viennese Patisserie, said he agreed "100%" with the Inspector's suggestion to close the roads to traffic in the evening.

He said: "The night time economy is one of Wrexham's biggest assets and it needs to be protected."

Wrexham Police and Council in front of Fat Boar mural (Image: The Leader - Newsquest)

These road closures coincide with planned road closures for the Wales fan zone which will take place on the High Street during the Wales games. 

READ MORE: Wrexham's football mural for World Cup is complete

Mark Pritchard, Wrexham Council Leader, believes the Wrexham High Street fan zone will have a positive impact on the town. 

He said: "We have worked with the police to ensure it is safe and wonderful and we hope people will come to Wrexham and enjoy the atmosphere. 

"Wrexham is the place to be."