EXTRA public transport will be available in south Denbighshire thanks to a pilot scheme run by Denbighshire County Council.

Called Fflecsi, it will operate alongside existing bus services to give residents in the pilot villages a service on at least five days a week. Beginning on Monday July 23 it will be available between 9am and 2.45pm.

The pilot will service: Betws Gwerfil Goch, Bontuchel, Clawddnewydd, Clocaenog, Cyffylliog, Derwen, Llanelidan, Melin y Wig and Rhyd y Meudwy. It will not replace existing buses but will run on weekdays when the bus service does not.

Fflecsi will connect in Corwen at 9.30am with buses to Ruthin, Llangollen and Wrexham and offer connections for those returning by bus. It will be run in collaboration with South Denbighshire Community Partnership (SDCP), a registered charity that aims to improve the lives of residents in the area.

Cllr Brian Jones, Denbighshire’s lead member for Highways, Planning and Sustainable Travel, said: “We are pleased to be working with South Denbighshire Community Partnership on this project which will help create connected communities and better enable people to travel, a priority under our Corporate Plan. It will provide residents living in rural communities access to Ruthin and Corwen, as well as to transport links to other areas.

“We would encourage residents to try out our new bus services. A successful outcome to this project could see an expansion which would be a huge benefit to the Denbighshire community at large.”

Denbighshire County Council is the first authority in North Wales to run its own transport services and the pilot is set to last for 12 months. Following an evaluation, if successful, the Council would look to expand the service to other areas. Residents wishing to use these services can contact SDCP on 01490 266004.

Passengers should pay £2 to the driver per return or single journey to help defray costs. Further details are available at www.denbighshire.gov.uk/travel