So, Rhuthun’s in the Daily Telegraph top 50 UK places to live. We’re not surprised. Rhuthun came 11th. Well, equal 11th—with the other 39 towns not specifically named in the top 10. Today’s Vale Advertiser will no doubt trumpet this achievement, as it broke the news on its website this week.One of the reasons why Rhuthun is the gem that it is, is because it’s small enough and tucked away enough to be overlooked. Being tucked away has its problems, though, as Rhuthun residents are about to find out, if the Free Press is right. We have a bleak two months ahead of us as the water and gas boards begin to dig up the A525 in two locations in and outside Rhuthun. The Free Press’ front page bemoans the traffic jams this will create.
But we’re sure that neither utility is inflicting these predicted delays for nothing. No doubt they're unavoidable. We’ll all have forgotten about them by the spring. And, let’s face it, motorists using the A525 both north and south of Rhuthun invariably can go no faster than 40 mph. Plan on driving any faster and you’re either taking risks or need to be on the road at midnight. It’s just impossible to travel any faster, most of the time, as you trundle along at the speed of the slowest. Is the Free Press right to raise the roadworks issue on its front page and editorial—or is it scare-mongering?
With roads radiating from the town that are not exactly to international standards, commuting can be a pain. People weigh up the lifestyle associated with the town against the distances they need to travel for work. If Rhuthun weren’t top 50 material, few would be prepared to put up with the distances, for Rhuthun is relatively far from everywhere else. Nor would they otherwise put up with the time it takes, roadworks or not. Those who travel tolerate it because Rhuthun offers so much.
It may be that roadworks such as these will stall passing trade, as Rhyl-Wrexham travellers use the A55 instead. If so, that’s a real concern. But then again, they’re probably using the A55 anyway. We doubt that there are hoards of them in any case.