Essential road maintenance planned across Denbighshire

Denbighshire County Council is planning essential road maintenance at locations across the county, with the first works scheduled to begin on 2 November 2026.

The work will include gully emptying, sweeping and sign maintenance. Traffic will be managed using stop/go boards, and some delays and disruption may occur.

All works are subject to prevailing weather conditions and may be postponed at short notice in the event of adverse weather.

Planned works schedule is as follows

• A525 Upper Denbigh Road, St Asaph: From the junction of Bryn Polyn to the Tweedmill access. Work is scheduled to begin on 2 November 2026 and last for two days.
• A543 Groes Road, Denbigh: To the county boundary. Work is scheduled to begin on 2 November 2026 and last for up to five days.
• A542 Horseshoe Pass: From Dafarn Dywyrch roundabout to the Eisteddfod entrance. Work is scheduled to begin on 16 November 2026 and last for up to five days.

Councillor James Elson, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “These essential works will help improve these routes for residents and local businesses. We would like to thank everyone who uses these roads for their support patience while we carry out this important work.”

“We will make every effort to complete this work as quickly and efficiently as possible to minimise disruption to our residents.”

New ‘Active Lives’ project helps residents connect, get active and belong

New community-led project combines outdoor activities, local support and meaningful connections to help residents get involved in ways that work for them.

Residents across Denbighshire are being invited to get involved in everything from conservation projects and outdoor activities to informal community drop-ins, thanks to a new initiative designed to help people become more active, connected and involved in local life.

Launched in August 2026, the Active Lives Trailblazer project brings together two successful programmes, Actif Communities and Nature for Health, to create a county-wide offer shaped by local people and their communities.

Rather than delivering a one-size-fits-all programme, Active Lives takes a place-based approach, working with residents to understand what matters to them and developing opportunities that reflect local interests, strengths and aspirations.

The project is delivered by Denbighshire County Council's Countryside Services and Grŵp Cynefin’s community hub, HWB Dinbych, with coordination support from Denbighshire County Council's Community Resilience Team.

At Grŵp Cynefin's HWB Dinbych in Denbigh, Active Officer Meg Moores works directly with local people to understand their circumstances, identify barriers to participation and connect them with opportunities that help them become more involved in community life.

Weekly Tea and Coffee Drop-In sessions, held every Thursday, provide a welcoming space where people can meet others, access support and discover activities in a relaxed, informal environment.

The project is already responding to community feedback, with activities such as armchair exercise sessions being introduced based on what participants have said they would like to see.

This flexible approach ensures local people are shaping the project from the ground up, helping create activities that genuinely reflect the needs of the community.

Elain Lloyd, Co-ordinator at HWB Dinbych says:

“At HWB Dinbych, we see every day how important it is for people to know that support is there when they need it. Active Lives is about creating welcoming opportunities for people to get involved in ways that suit them. By listening and responding to local people and responding to what matters to them, we're helping build confidence, strengthen community connections and support wellbeing across Denbighshire.”

Active Lives also offers opportunities for people to engage with their communities through the natural environment. Delivered by Denbighshire's Countryside Services team, regular ranger-led sessions provide a welcoming way to learn new skills, improve wellbeing and spend time outdoors.

From woodland management and habitat improvement to path maintenance and practical conservation work, participants can play an active role in caring for local green spaces while building confidence, making connections and experiencing the benefits of nature.

Importantly, Active Lives recognises that traditional support services aren't for everyone. Residents can drop into HWB Dinbych for a chat over a cuppa or joining a practical outdoor session with a Countryside Ranger, ensuring the project offers a low-pressure way for people to explore new interests, meet others and become more involved in their community.

The focus is on meaningful conversations, building relationships and helping people feel connected, valued and involved within their local communities.

Tina Foulkes, Economic Inactivity Trailblazer Programme Manager at Working Denbighshire, said:

"The Active Lives Trailblazer project is all about creating opportunities that genuinely reflect the needs of local people. Through our partnership with HWB Dinbych and Countryside Services, we're helping residents improve their wellbeing, build confidence, develop new connections and become more involved in their communities. What makes this project special is that it starts with listening. Activities are shaped by the people taking part, helping ensure support is accessible, welcoming and meaningful for everyone."

Councillor Will Price, Lead Member for Planning, Countryside and Safer Communities, said:

“The Active Lives project offers residents the chance to access the support they need away from the more traditional surroundings, whilst also learning practical skills and making a visible difference to their local communities.

“Through this partnership, it’s hoped that residents can get the support that they are looking for, whilst exploring new interests, meeting new people and playing a role in caring for Denbighshire’s green spaces”.

Join the Active Lives Movement

Residents can drop into HWB Dinbych's weekly Thursday Tea and Coffee sessions or join one of the outdoor activities taking place across the county.

Upcoming sessions include woodland management, habitat improvement, path maintenance and environmental projects in locations including Rhyl, Denbigh, Corwen and Llangollen.

Countryside Services
Alice.Cousens@denbighshire.gov.uk / 07385 491616

HWB Dinbych
hwb@hwbdinbych.org / 01745 818485

Whether you're looking to meet new people, spend more time outdoors, learn new skills or simply try something different, Active Lives offers a welcoming way to get involved in your community.

Working Denbighshire is part‑funded by the UK Government and multiple programmes, including the Welsh Government’s Communities for Work Plus, the UK–Wales Trailblazer initiative targeting economic inactivity, the Local Growth Fund for Wales (LGF), and Connect to Work.

Upgrades planned for county play areas

Ten county play area are set to undergo a period of refurbishment.

Denbighshire County Council’s Streetscene Services have been successful in securing UK Government’s Pride in Place Impact Funding (PiPiF) to enable the refurbishment of the play areas located throughout the county.

These play areas have been selected due to the age profile of the equipment and health and safety concerns which have been highlighted in relation to the actual equipment or the safety play surfaces.

The ten sites selected for the upgrade works are as follows:

• Cae Canol, Trefnant
• Clos Deganwy, Bodelwyddan
• Maes-y-Dre, Ruthin
• Y-Wern, Llandrillo
• School Field, Carrog
• Nant-y-Pandy, Glyndyfrdwy
• Caed Afon, Llangollen
• Coronation Gardens, Prestatyn
• Meliden Memorial, Meliden
• Ffordd Penrhwylfa, Prestatyn

The contract to deliver this work is currently out to tender, with works expected to commence sometime in November weather and contractor availability permitting.

Each site will take varying times to complete as some play areas require more complex work than others.

Cllr James Elson, lead member for Environment and Transport said: “Our play areas are places where children can play, families can spend time together and neighbours can meet. These upgrades will give the communities much-needed safe, modern places to play, with more inclusive and accessible equipment for children with additional needs. We look forward to welcoming local families back once the work is complete so they can enjoy the improvements together.”

Changes to telephone services - Support available for Denbighshire residents

Denbighshire residents, particularly those living in rural areas, are being encouraged to seek advice if they are unsure about changes to their telephone services as the UK moves away from traditional landlines towards internet-based telephone systems.

The changes mean that traditional telephone services using copper cables are being switched off, with providers moving customers to digital telephone services that use an internet connection to make and receive calls.

For many households, particularly those with a fast fibre broadband connection, the change should be straightforward. However, residents with slower or unreliable internet connections may receive confusing or conflicting information from their telephone and internet service providers (ISPs) about what the changes mean for them.

Under Ofcom rules, providers must follow certain requirements when moving customers to digital telephone services. These include ensuring that customers are not left without a telephone service, providing additional protection for people who are classed as vulnerable, and continuing to make social tariffs available to eligible customers on low incomes or receiving certain benefits, such as Universal Credit.

Another important consideration is what happens during a power cut. Traditional landlines generally receive power through the telephone network, but digital telephone services rely on electricity to power the router and other equipment. This means that, without a suitable backup power supply, a digital phone may not work during a power cut.

Residents who are concerned about their telephone service, have received confusing information from their provider or are unsure whether their internet connection is suitable for the change are encouraged to seek advice before making decisions about their service.

Philip Burrows, Denbighshire County Council’s Digital and New Technologies Officer, is available to help residents understand the changes, explore their options and find out where to access further information.

Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts, Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Education & Children, Welsh Language, Culture and Heritage, said:

“We know that changes to telephone services can be confusing, particularly for people living in rural areas where internet connections may not always be reliable.

“It is important that residents understand what these changes mean for them and know where to turn if they have concerns. While the move to digital telephone services will be straightforward for many households, it is important that people who may be affected by poor connectivity, power cuts or other issues get the right advice and support.

“If you are unsure about any information you have received from your telephone or internet provider, or simply want to understand your options, please get in touch with our Digital and New Technologies Officer, Philip Burrows, who will be happy to help.”

Residents can contact Philip by emailing philip.burrows@denbighshire.gov.uk.

Childcare centre takes delivery of greener transport

A Rhyl childcare centre has welcomed a greener mode of transport to assist with the services provided from it.

Denbighshire County Council’s Fleet Services has handed over a new electric Toyota ProAce Verso 9 Seat Minibus to the Oak Tree Centre.

The new vehicle is part of the Council’s Fleet Service’s continuing work to transition to less reliance on fossil fuelled vehicles where appropriate to help cut down on running and maintenance costs and lower overall carbon emissions.

Following the declaration by the Council in 2019 of a climate and nature emergency, Fleet Services has been adopting zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) into its fleet. Currently, more than 20% of its vehicles are made up of ZEVs.

Staff also take part in a training package run by Fleet which includes how to utilise the EV charging infrastructure safely and efficiently, making use of regenerative braking systems, and when to select a 'driving mode' based on conditions or payloads.

The electric minibus, which provides over 200miles of driving range, will support the centre which provides the Little Acorns childcare service, Play Ranger service and also assist with the provision of family information support. The vehicle has received funding support from the Welsh Government Energy Service.

This new addition brings the number of EV’s in the Oak Tree Centre fleet to five.

Cllr James Elson, lead member for Environment and Transport said: “The minibus will help Oak Tree staff to maintain their provision of services to children and their families in Rhyl and the surrounding areas whilst providing greener mileage for the childcare centre, lowering  long-term costs for miles and regular maintenance.”

Seasonal enhancement work set for county meadows

A number of Denbighshire wildflower meadows are set to receive a local boost sourced from other county sites.

The Council’s Biodiversity and Streetscene teams have planned work to support the establishment and diversity of some of the county’s wildflower meadow sites this autumn.

Established in 2019, the Wildflower Meadow Project now includes nearly 70 acres of native wildflower habitat across the county, supporting local nature, improving biodiversity and contributing to community wellbeing.

The work has been supported by Welsh Government funding through the Local Places for Nature funding.

Enhancement work will take place at seven identified county meadows this autumn and will receive a helping hand from seeds harvested at other sites in the project.

Work has been ongoing to cut and collect the grass at the meadows during the second cut of the project season to further strip the sites of nutrients and allow further wildflower species to establish.

Cuttings have been processed at the Council’s Tree Nursery and the seeds collected from them will be sown at the meadows selected by the Biodiversity team in the project to help them become more diverse and bloom next year.

The scarification work will involve Streetscene teams raking the grass or using a scarifier to expose bare soil and create space for new wildflower seeds to germinate and establish. Benefits of doing this are to reduce grass competition, promote seed germination and encourage increased biodiversity by boosting the diversity of wildflowers.

Cllr James Elson, lead member for Environment and Transport said: “We have worked to make sure we have collected the grass cuttings off our most diverse meadows to provide a really strong ‘Denbighshire’ seed mix we can spread on the sites we have selected for enhancement. What we have is a good mix of plants that will bring variety to these sites and stronger support for local nature.

“Enhancing the meadows provides benefits for everybody, not just nature, with community benefits including improved air quality, urban heat cooling, physical and mental wellbeing and areas of mixed interest for education and play.”

Online resources available for Denbighshire parents and carers

Parents and carers across Denbighshire are being reminded that they can access a wide range of online resources to support family relationships, parenting and emotional wellbeing, funded through the Council.

These evidence-based resources give Denbighshire parents, carers and families flexible support throughout their parenting journey.

The resources are designed for parents, carers and grandparents and focus on children’s emotional health and wellbeing. They cover sensitive relationships, early years support and brain development, helping families nurture kind, emotionally aware children as they grow.

The course, which is named ‘Togetherness online’ is embedded throughout every aspect of learning and is underpinned by sound, well-researched ideas developed by a team of clinical psychologists and a range of professional practitioners.   

Over 4,700 parents and guardians in Denbighshire are already registered as online learners.

Resources are available in numerous languages and include:

• Online ante-natal & post-natal courses (including specialist support for NICU parents).
• Understanding your child from toddler to teenager, with a tailored course for additional needs.
• Understanding Adolescence courses (for both parents and young people)
• Courses supporting parent's emotional wellbeing and relationships.

Online resources can be accessed anytime and anywhere. Courses are self-paced, private and personal to each learner.

Denbighshire families can access the free resources by visiting by following the registration process and enter the free access code or by entering their Denbighshire postcode into the "Find out if you are in a free area" checker to get free access: www.togetherness.co.uk/learn

Residents of Denbighshire can use the Free Access code: NWSOL.

Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts, Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Education, Families, Welsh Language, Culture and Heritage said:

“Families can choose learning suited to every stage of the parenting journey, from pregnancy to adolescence.

These courses can help parents and carers to understand children development, and behaviour.

This partnership supports the council’s commitment to support a learning and growing Denbighshire and to build happier, healthier and stronger communities.”

Give your pumpkin a greener afterlife this Halloween

Denbighshire County Council is reminding residents to recycle their Halloween items this year.

Many households will soon be carving pumpkins ready for Halloween.

After Halloween, put your pumpkin in your food waste caddy, not your general waste bin. Remove all candles and decorations first. Do not leave pumpkins in the garden or outside after 31 October, as they can harm animals such as hedgehogs.

Reuse your Halloween decorations each year to save money and materials. If you no longer need them, donate them to a local charity shop.

If decorations cannot be reused, put them in the correct container at home or take them to a Recycling and Waste Park.

Reuse Halloween costumes each year. If you no longer need them, donate them to a local charity shop.

Batteries from decorations can be recycled using the correct container for the recycling and waste collection service, or at a Recycling and Waste Park. Use rechargeable batteries where possible.

Councillor James Elson, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “Halloween is an exciting time for residents of all ages. Many homes and events display costumes and decorations. Please remember to recycle properly. Our recycling services can help everyone enjoy a spooky and greener Halloween.”

For help with recycling please visit the Council’s A to Z Recycling guide 

Clwydian Limestone Links project begin works to remove non-native invasive species

Work to tackle non-native invasive species of cotoneaster from Prestatyn Hillside, Graig Fawr and Moel Hiraddug has progressed to the next stage.

Following recent surveying and mapping earlier this year, work has begun to remove the non-native invasive species of cotoneaster at three designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Denbighshire.

Although cotoneaster is a popular garden plant, with the flowers attracting bees and the berries favoured by birds, it is incredibly damaging to our wild areas, especially rare habitats such as limestone (calcareous) grasslands due to its fast-growing nature, where it can dominate whole hillsides rapidly.

Often growing in hard-to-reach places, the invasive species will be carefully removed and controlled by specialist access teams BODDACC on Prestatyn Hillside and Moel Hiraddug, and by Ground Works on Graig Fawr, whilst avoiding damage to habitats and non-target species.

The Clwydian Limestone Links Project is funded by the Nature Networks Programme being delivered by the National Lottery Heritage Fund on behalf of the Welsh Government and aims to improve the resilience and condition of five SSSI limestone grassland and woodland sites in Denbighshire.

Working in partnership with Denbighshire County Council, the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscape, the North Wales Wildlife Trust, the National Trust and private landowners, the project looks to facilitate management that will enhance the diversity of special features at the sites, increase the extent of the limestone grassland habitats and improve the condition of the plant communities and associated fauna.

Shannon Garside, the project’s nature networks ranger said:

“We are grateful to the private landowners and our project partners The National Trust for allowing us access to their sites for this important work, cotoneaster seeds can spread across large areas so having a joined-up approach is really important”

Councillor James Elson, Lead Member for the Environment and Transport said:

“Supporting and improving our local biodiversity is vitally important and a priority of the Council.The project will enhance the habitat connectivity within and between the protected sites by managing nature corridors through the creation and restoration of habitats that link them and limiting the effects that these invasive species are having”.

Large seizure of illegal cigarettes following joint operation

The council’s trading standards team have continued their efforts to crack down on the sale of illegal cigarettes recently in Rhyl.

Working in partnership with the Trading Standards All Wales Tobacco Team, the joint operation visited two premises in Rhyl following two successful test purchases at both locations.

Following the successful test purchases, officers revisited the two premises and seized a substantial amount of illegal cigarettes and tobacco from the first premises, whilst uncovering a series of hidden compartments used for storing illicit goods in the second location. 

Councillor Will Price, Lead Member for Planning, Countryside and Safer Communities said:

“The operation forms part of the councils ongoing work to tackle the sale of illicit tobacco and illegal vaping products, protecting legitimate businesses and helping to reduce the availability of these products on our high streets.

“This is another example of the great work that our trading standards officers are doing to take illegal products such as these off the shelves. The items seized were counterfeit and carry serious safety and health issues to those people buying and using them.

“Our residents play a vital role in identifying areas and persons of interest, which help our trading standard officers to investigate and get illegal tobacco, vapes and other products out of the community”.

Businesses can get in touch with Denbighshire’s Trading Standards Team for advice on illegal cigarette, tobacco and vaping products on Denbighshire’s website.

Voices from the Archive

New Audio Bench Brings Local History to Life in Ruthin Park

Visitors to Cae Ddol in Ruthin can now listen to stories from the history of North East Wales in a unique and engaging way thanks to the installation of a new solar-powered audio bench, funded by Welsh Government.

Situated behind the children's play area, the new bench offers park users the opportunity to sit, relax and listen to fascinating stories drawn directly from the collections of North East Wales Archives. Equipped with a simple panel of buttons and built-in speakers, the bench allows visitors of all ages to hear recordings inspired by real historical documents and personal accounts preserved in the archives.

The recordings were created in partnership with Theatr Clwyd's writers' group, Cwils. Members of the group visited North East Wales Archives to explore the collections and draw inspiration from the records they discovered. Using these archival materials, they developed a series of original scripts based on real people and events from the region's past.

The audio stories explore themes of love and loss, change and resilience, revealing how ordinary people experienced extraordinary moments in history. By sharing these voices in a public setting, the project encourages residents and visitors alike to discover that history is not distant- it is personal, relevant and belongs to everyone.

Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts, Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Education & Children, Welsh Language, Culture and Heritage said:

“This is a wonderful example of how we can bring our rich local heritage to life in a way that is accessible, engaging and enjoyable for everyone.

“The audio bench provides a unique opportunity for people to take a moment, sit back and hear stories inspired by the real people, experiences and events preserved within the collections of North East Wales Archives. It is particularly exciting to see our archive collections being shared in such an innovative way, outside of a traditional archive setting.

“Projects like this help us to connect people with the history of our communities and encourage new audiences to discover the stories that have shaped our region. I hope residents and visitors to Cae Ddol will take the opportunity to stop, listen and enjoy these fascinating voices from our past.”

The installation reflects North East Wales Archives' ongoing commitment to making the region's heritage more accessible, engaging new audiences with local history and ensuring that archival collections can be enjoyed beyond traditional archive buildings.

Visitors are encouraged to stop by the audio bench, take a seat, and discover the remarkable stories preserved within the archives of North East Wales.

About North East Wales Archives

North East Wales Archives preserves and provides access to the documentary heritage of the region. Its collections span nearly 900 years of history, from medieval records to contemporary archives, helping people explore the lives, communities and events that have shaped North East Wales.

About Cwils

Cwils is a Theatr Clwyd Community group for people to explore and build their creative writing skills. From plays to poetry, short stories to novels, it’s a place to learn and grow a love for the written word. It’s for those who are starting out on their writers journey, with the support and knowledge of Theatr Clwyd. Full details are available on the Theatr Clwyd website under “Take Part.”

Ysgol Pen Barras pupils get hands-on with the power of recycling

Ysgol Pen Barras pupils were introduced to two new mascots working to help recycling in the community during a special visit.

Denbighshire County Council’s Recycling Education Team brought the subject to life through discussions and hands-on activities designed to build pupils’ knowledge and confidence during a two-day visit to the school.

Pupils learned what happens to recyclable materials after they are collected and shared ideas about how reducing waste can benefit households, local communities and the wider environment.

Recycling mascots Troli-bob and Cadi received a warm welcome by the year groups, helping pupils identify familiar household items and decide which recycling containers they belong in.

There was plenty of teamwork as the children took part in a practical sorting game involving paper, cans, mixed plastics, glass bottles and jars. The activity showed how careful separation keeps valuable materials in use and helps reduce waste.

A highlight of the visit came when pupils met one of the named Waste and Recycling Service vehicles used to collect recyclable materials from homes across Denbighshire.

Enjoying a close-up look at the vehicle, pupils discovered how separate compartments keep materials apart during collection before they are taken to the Waste Transfer Station in Denbigh for processing.

The visit also introduced the Council’s Trolibocs system, which helps separate paper, cans and mixed plastics, and glass bottles and jars at the kerbside. Pupils saw how getting recycling right at home improves the quality of collected materials and supports efforts to cut waste and carbon emissions.

Jonathan Brittain-Hughes, Environmental Crime Manager at Denbighshire County Council, said: “It was wonderful to see the pupils at Ysgol Pen Barras askingl questions, supporting one another and getting involved in every activity. We hope they feel proud of what they learned and take that enthusiasm home, knowing that every item recycled correctly can make a difference.”

Councillor James Elson, Lead Member for the Environment and Transport, said: “Visits like this give pupils a memorable way to see recycling in action. It was fantastic to hear how warmly Ysgol Pen Barras embraced the session, and I hope the pupils will share their new knowledge with family and friends as we work together to recycle more and waste less.”