Safe Routes to School - Johnstown Infants

Work has been completed at Johnstown Infant School following funding secured of £35,000 under the safe routes to schools awarded from the Welsh Assembly Government. A Kerbcraft DVD was recently launched and training to pupils was carried out at the school. The school has actively been working with Wrexham council's Transport and Asset
Management Department on the safe routes to school initiative.

New measures include, new access at the school gate in Melyd Avenue and a 20mph zone in Maes Isaf and traffic calming measures and new pedestrian crossing access. New signage and "a Gateway" effect road markings have been incorporated in the scheme together with a traffic regulation order for the zig zag lines in Melyd Avenue which which is
now enforceable between 8am to 5pm Monday to Fridays. I have also recently requested via the council's executive board to look at implementing a 20 mph policy at every school in the county borough.

New Play Area in Heol Kenyon

Kenyon has now been completed which was supported by Johnstown Youth Management Committee. Funding of £33,000 was secured from Groundwork, Wrexham and Flintshire and Wrexham council's environment department.

"Save our Open Space's" - Heol Kenyon and Worsley Avenue

Three new fields in North Wales were formally opened for public use as part of the network of Owain Glyndwr Fields established across Wales by the National Playing Fields Association on Thursday, 22 March 2007. The dedication of these fields will commemorate the life of Wales hero, Owain Glyndwr. As the plaques were unveiled, the local communities of Marchwiel, Johnstown and Rhostyllen can be assured that the fields will remain a part of their community for ever more, allowing future generations to continue to use them and enjoy the sites. The National Playing Fields Association has arranged full legal protection for the fields, which means they can never be built on.

The Owain Glyndwr Fields initiative is designed to commemorate the great Welsh statesman by protecting recreational land in his name. The initiative, which has been endorsed by the National Assembly for Wales, aims to establish an Owain Glyndwr Field in every unitary authority in Wales. The fields in Johnstown Marchwiel, and Rhostyllen will be
distinguished by Owain Glyndwr Field plaques.

National Playing Fields Association Cymru Chairman Lewis Evans stated, "Green space and playing fields are vital for the development of young people as well as for the enjoyment and leisure of people of all ages. The work of the National Playing Fields Association is becoming increasingly important today as the need for housing continues to grow, and I am delighted with these latest additions to the growing number of Owain Glyndwr fields".

Wrexham to London Rail Link

I am delighted that following my motion to the council's Executive Board in September 2004 for a direct train service to London, Wrexham and Shropshire Railways and operating 5 trains a day direct from local stations to London Marylebone. 45 new railway jobs have been created at the new Rail Depot at Wrexham Station and £900,000 was secured from the
Welsh Assembly Government for improvements to the railway infrastructure and Station buildings. Local people have been employed and catering has been supplied from local sources.

The new rail service will support the existing improvements over the past three years which has seen a two hourly direct rail service to Cardiff. From December 2008, Virgin Trains are planning to operate a direct high speed Rail service to London and Arriva Trains Wales are to operate to Birmingham International.

For further details please visit www.wrexhamandshropshire.co.uk or Visit Wrexham council's website on Rail Travel in Wrexham which provides excellent information. www.wrexham.gov.uk/rail

British Transport Police take incidents of route crime extremely seriously. Trespassing on the railway is a criminal offence which can see the offender end up in court and result in a fine of £1,000 being given. Anyone with information, or witnesses, can contact the police
free on 0800 40 50 40 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. In an emergency dial 999.

Wrexham council have been reviewing their community centre buildings and the environment and regeneration scrutiny committee have considered a series of reports in relation to community centres over the past couple of years. The focus has, in the main, centred on the issues relating to potential savings as part of the budget process and to
examine the long-term viability of each centre. The refurbishment of the centre will support and address many of these issues and secure a long-term future for Johnstown.

Barclays Spaces for Sport Development Fund

Following the introduction of new sports facilities Multi-Purpose Games Area in Heol Kenyon and Worsley Avenue Johnstown. Further funding was agreed from Barclays Spaces for Sports. The development fund is spread over three years and will be used in a variety of coaching skills, new kits and equipment to deliver football sessions in line with curriculum
key stages 1 and 2 in local schools. The project will also assist in the development of a local youths girls team and support Johnstown Youth Football Club. 'Barclays Spaces for Sport' have provided a total of £45,000 in Johnstown.

Local Housing Policy Cwm Glas Johnstown

Following a request I made to the housing department for a local lettings policy in Cwm Glas Johnstown, I am pleased that a local housing policy has been agreed. There are areas in the county like Cwm Glas where it has become common practice to let proprieties to older people and where there are no sheltered units, and where the accommodation is
suitable for disabled people, ground floor accommodation and in locations which is beneficial to older persons due to their proximity to amenities and bus routes. The general policy to be considered for this type of property is that applicants must be at least 50 years of age or have a physical disability. The policy only applies to flats due to the current demand for council housing and the aim of the policy is to try and ensure that there is suitable accommodation in the communities of their choice so to avoid clashes of life style and to formalise current practice. If however there are no suitable applicants on the housing
waiting list who meet the criteria for these types of proprieties other applicants will be considered under the age of 50, ie oldest applicants first in accordance with the council's lettings policy.

Council Housing Improvements

New central heating systems have been installed to a large amount of houses over the past two years and a new rolling programme has started to upgrade older systems. We have also seen improvements and the installation of new upvc doors to the bungalows and this programme will continue to roll out over the next two years and include, Bangor Road,
Heol Kenyon, Heol Offa, Heol Orsaf, Heol Y Cynghor, and Y Gesail. A pilot scheme was also undertaken by Wrexham County Borough Council's housing department to carry out external works to 4 properties in Heol Kenyon Johnstown. The work included the removal of the existing external concrete planks being replaced with an insulated render system to the
existing frame structure of the properties. Off street parking was completed in Heol Kenyon together with the painting of the steel houses and bungalows. New wrought iron fencing will be erected to the bungalows in Heol Y Cyngor and Y Gesail as part of this years environmental improvement schemes.

Cwm Glas Improved

The communal hallways in Cwm Glas have been painted and work has also been undertaken to replace the fascia boards and guttering to bring them up to a maintainable standard. As part of an environmental scheme I requested new electronic door entry has been fitted to all flats in Cwm Glas which will provide greater security for our residents. Funding was also secured from the environmental scheme for new electronic security
gates in Llys Hafod which has greatly assisted residents following incidents of anti-social behaviour. A new pathway (rear of houses in Yale street) has also been completed.

Traffic Calming Moreton Estate 20MPH

Following an extensive consultation with residents on the Moreton Estate a complete 20 mph Zone and complementary traffic-calming scheme has been introduced. This has included three flat top speed humps, two in Heol Hafod and one in Heol Orsaf including a pedestrian facility designed to encourage slower vehicular speeds, this will also create a
safer environment for local residents and road users. The cost of the scheme was approximately £35,000 and will support the recently extended 30 MPH speed limit in Bangor Road. New lighting was also erected in Bangor Road as part of the scheme.

Anti-Social Behaviour

Since 2003/04 Crime in the County Borough has fallen by 33%, the introduction of the PCSO's Police Community Support officers has also assisted in a reduction of anti-social behaviour. New facilities in the village has assisted in reduction of anti-social behaviour in the village and a Youth Shelter and Multi-Purpose Games areas have been
provided. In partnership with the North Wales Police regular local focus meetings and surgeries are held to address residents concerns, these maybe, inconsiderate parking, issues of anti-social behaviour, speeding to more serious problems of crime. Its important to report incidents to the police on 0845 607 1002 if you are experiencing problems, a crime or
anti-social behaviour.

Country Parks and the Environment

Green areas and public open space are hugely important to people in the community. I have working with the local Rangers from Ty Mawr who are responsible for both the Stryt Las and Bonc Yr Hafod Country Parks. Improvements have been made at the Gwalia entrance with a new footpath and new street lighting. We have also seen a new footpath from Cwm Glas
to the Stryt Las Country Park together with new seating and litterbin's within the park. New litterbin's have been installed around the village and in our Country Parks together with regular campaigns to address dog fouling. We also have a regular beat sweeper who keeps the village clean.

Johnstown Bowls Club

In 2004 the refurbishment of the Bowls club in Johnstown took place, which saw the extension to the existing building to include disabled toilets and improved access together with improved facilities for members and visitors. The car park has also been extended and I have recently been working with the Bowls Club to install a new all weather shelter and improvements to the perimeter fencing. A disabled car parking space has also been made available.