North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has today called on the Welsh Government to support local groups in North Wales who are striving to maximise the economic and social regeneration benefits of bringing historic industrial infrastructure back into use.
Speaking in today’s debate on Historic Industrial Infrastructure across Wales, Mr Isherwood said “North Wales is blessed with a rich and diverse network of historic industrial infrastructure” but that “forgotten heroes in local groups battle daily the practical and financial challenges of bringing such infrastructure back into use”.
Calling on the Welsh Government to support them better, he said:
“Instead of Welsh Government ownership, they seek real partnership with Governments in exploring and delivering the practical opportunities for re-opening such infrastructure.
“After the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct was awarded World Heritage status in 2009, the Welsh Government stated that it was creating a working group to establish North East Wales as a joined-up visitor destination around this, with the Third Sector represented by Glandwr Cymru, the Canal and River Trust.
“We are still waiting a decade later - and other third sector heritage groups tell me that they have not been engaged.”
“Speaking here last year, I referred to the Channel 4 screening of the final episode of its Great Rail Restorations series, promoting the wonderful railway setting between Llangollen and Carrog, but, now going to Corwen as well, and the efforts of all those involved.
“As I then said “we still need a joined-up tourism offer with through ticketing, enabling regional visitors to extend their stays and have the fantastic time we know they can have”.
“Llangollen Railway had repeatedly stated that they would like to embark on joint ticketing with the bus companies and other railways within their area.
“Their through-ticketing proposals also relate to wider Destination Management and to Destination Offers which develop visitor experience by partnering with other venues and industrial heritage attractions in the region.
“Llangollen Railway are one of the biggest employers in the area and the only standard gauge Heritage Railway in North Wales.
“They are extending the line to Corwen and building a new station in Corwen as their western terminus, which will both open up Corwen Town to many more visitors and help local people travel between Llangollen and Corwen. This Project has been entirely volunteer-led, with professional support as and when required.
“The Glyn Valley Tramway was a narrow gauge railway connecting Chirk with Glyn Ceiriog and the Glyn Valley Tramway Trust are working towards a recreation of the Tramway from Chirk.
“Speaking here in 2014 and last year, I called on the Welsh Government to consider supporting the re-opening the rail line from Gaerwen to Llangefni as a heritage connection.
He added:
“I have worked for many years with the Brymbo Heritage Group and Trust, which works to promote the industrial history of Brymbo and adjacent areas, and develop the site as a visitor attraction including the Ironwork core buildings and Brymbo Fossil Forest.
“Shotton Point represents an important part of the Heritage of Deeside, particularly in relation to Steel making.
“The Victorian Society included the former office building of John Summers Steelworks, including its iconic, Grade II listed, Clock Tower, on its 2018 Top 10 Endangered Buildings List.
“I recently visited the non-profit Enbarr Foundation in Queensferry to discuss their exciting ‘Shotton Point’ John Summers site project, bringing local people, businesses and community organisations together to plan, develop and build the future of the site.
“The area between Wrexham and Mold , where I live, was once the site of many collieries. The Llay Miner’s Heritage Centre is dedicated to telling the story of the coal mining industry in north-east Wales.
North East Wales Heritage Forum celebrates, conserves and promotes the Region’s rich Heritage.
“The Roman’s mined Lead at Halkyn, Sandstone was quarried at Gwespyr and industrial initiatives centred on the Greenfield Valley, ranging from copper to cotton, are an exemplar of the Industrial Revolution.
“I commend the guided heritage walks through Greenfield Valley and visits to its Heritage Park.
“I also attended Northop Heritage Group’s History Day on 21st September, which ranged from coaching routes to brick making in Buckley.
“Later this month Theatr Clwyd’s Promenade Performances of the Mold Riots 150 years ago remember the social unrest after two coal miners were sentenced to prison for attacking the Manager of Leeswood Green Colliery, which influenced the future of Policing of public disturbances across Great Britain.
“It is now time for the Welsh Government to turn words into action by bringing all this people-power together to unlock the potential for regional industrial heritage-led regeneration”.