Bollards are installed at cenotaph to stop parking
Drop in number of winter flu cases reported to GPs
BOLLARDS have been put in place to surround Aberdare Cenotaph in a bid to tackle illegal parking on the town centre landmark.
It comes after scores of cars were pictured parked there, but in November, the council announced it had had enough, and vowed to solve the problem once and for all.
Councillor Andrew Morgan, leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf council and cabinet member with responsibility for highways, said: “In response to feedback from local councillors, residents and businesses, the council THE worst of the winter flu outbreak in Wales appears to be over as cases reported to GPs have started to fall.
According to Public Health Wales, the number of people diagnosed with influenza-like illnesses in general practices for the week ending January 28 were 53 per 100,000 practice population.
That was a drop from 74.7 per 100,000 population in the week ending January 21 and 62.1 for the week ending January 14.
But doctors have warned flu is still circulating at “high” levels and people in “at-risk” groups should still aim to vaccinate themselves. has been able to work with the local branch of the Royal British Legion, and has now completed work on a suitable permanent solution to stop inconsiderate motorists parking on the Aberdare Cenotaph.”
It comes after the council said parking on the memorial in the Rhondda Cynon Taf town centre was unacceptable.
But the local authority said it continued to receive information from residents that cars and vans were still being Limited stocks of vaccine are still available.
Dr Richard Roberts, head of the vaccine preventable disease programme at Public Health Wales, said: “Although cases of flu in the community appear to be falling there are still high levels of flu circulating which will continue to cause illness for many weeks.”
Flu spreads easily and can be serious, especially for those in risk groups such as pregnant women, those aged 65 or over or with a long-term health condition.
More people in Wales have had a flu vaccine this year than ever before with parked there – despite restrictions in place enforced by the police and council.
So it worked closely with the Aberdare branch of the Royal British Legion to find a suitable, permanent solution, and announced that ornamental spheres would be installed at the memorial to prevent parking.
Works got underway on January 22, and were completed a week later.
In total, 20 spheres were installed on concrete bases, with the scheme costing about £15,000 to complete. more than 750,000 people in target groups vaccinated so far.
Public Health Wales says the vaccine is still available and those who are eligible for it should contact their GP surgery or community pharmacy.
People should only attend A&E or call an ambulance if they need urgent care, for example feeling short of breath, chest pain or coughing up blood, or have other serious symptoms, or deteriorate quickly.
Advice on self-care is available at www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk or from community pharmacists or NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47.