Wetlands project sees first feathered guests arrive

A makeover of a Denbighshire wetland is already providing popular with feathered visitors.

The Council has worked in partnership with Balfour Beatty to develop land at the Morfa, a 35-acre wetland in Prestatyn.

Three ponds have been created at the site opposite the Morfa Woods with the aim to protect and support local biodiversity, invertebrates, mammals, birds and plant life.

And the new-look site has already been visited recently by Egrets and Mallards.

Balfour Beatty, who worked on Rhyl East Flood Defence Scheme, provided support as part of their commitment with the Council in providing local community benefits.

And contractor Arwyn Parry dug out and profiled the ponds on site.

Welsh Government via their ENRaW grant scheme contributed towards the actual purchase of the land and to develop it as an important wetland resource over a three year period.

The land had previously been in private ownership

Councillor Tony Thomas, the Council’s Lead Member for Housing and Communities, said: “We are grateful for all the work on this site by everyone involved. It is good to hear that already the work is playing its part in attracting wildlife to the area

“We do hope that this site becomes a firm fixture in the local community and we also welcome support from nearby residents who want to get involved in managing the wetlands. For example, we have already run volunteer events to help with seeding, surveying the ponds and looking for what animals may take up residence in the new look landscape.

“We also would welcome support for a survey of our sustainable grazing project involving Belted Galloway cattle who are helping us to manage the landscape by keeping the grass length down.”

A wooden viewing platform already in place on the site boundary is soon to be joined by two others to provide wide views of the wetland life.

Plans are also in motion to clear a series of draining channels on the site to help support local Water Voles by bringing back a natural habitat for the endangered species.

The wetland also sits next to the Prestatyn gutter and forms a natural sink during times of high rainfall, acting as an important flood defence. As the site returns to its natural form, without all the current vegetation, its water storage capacity will increase.

Pilot produces thousands of green miles for taxi travel

A pilot taxi scheme has provided thousands of ‘green’ miles for drivers and passengers since starting last Autumn.

Denbighshire is hosting the only North Wales pilot of the zero emission green taxi scheme.

The Welsh Government, who are funding the scheme, recently set a goal of de-carbonising the taxi fleet entirely by 2028.

The Council is one of a select few local authorities in Wales taking part in the pilot.

Twenty-eight taxi drivers have stepped behind the wheel of four wheelchair-accessible Nissan Dynamo E-NV200 taxis to use as part of the “try before you buy scheme” which began in September 2021.

The pilot allows hackney licensed taxi drivers to try the vehicle free of charge for 30 days, including free electric charging at specific locations in the county, vehicle licensing, breakdown cover and insurance.

Over a 16-week period from launch until January 20, the vehicles covered 15,501 zero emission miles across the county, providing an average of 969 zero emission miles each week.

The taxis have also operated across Prestatyn, Rhyl, Bodelwyddan, St Asaph, Denbigh, Ruthin and Corwen.

Councillor Brian Jones, Lead Member for Waste, Transport and the Environment, said: “It is great to see the number of taxi operators who have stepped up to try out these greener zero emission vehicles and find out about the benefits they also bring.

“The feedback we have received has been positive from both drivers and passengers. The taxis have been used mainly on home to school transport contracts morning and afternoon on most term days with great input from the children with some saying ‘it’s like travelling in a spaceship’ whilst riding in the vehicles.

“This is one of a number of projects we are running on electric vehicles as a Council which will help create healthier surroundings and reduce carbon emissions across the county.”

Following feedback from the drivers participating in the pilot, the Council is looking into extending the scheme with the offer of a vehicle capable of delivering 300 plus miles on a single charge.