Author: Rhys Gregory

There will be a night-time road closure at A4058 Llwynypia Road near Asda Tonypandy on two nights this week – on the section of road directly north of the pictured junction. The closures are required to carry out local drainage improvements, and have been arranged on overnight work shifts to minimise disruption. The work will start at 8pm on each night, finishing by 5am on the following morning – on Wednesday/Thursday (November 29-30) and Thursday/Friday (November 30-December 1). All associated work will therefore be completed by 5am on Friday, December 1. An alternative route for motorists is available via Llwynypia…

Support is available to improve the energy efficiency of eligible households in the Caerphilly county borough. Caerphilly County Borough Council is working with energy companies and Cardiff Capital Region (representing the ten local authorities of Southeast Wales) to support households in poorly insulated homes; making them more energy efficiency and helping lessen the impact of rising energy bills. As part of the national ECO4 and ECO Flex schemes, EDF and other energy companies will be investing in energy efficiency community schemes to support ‘fuel poor’ homes and those households that include individuals with health conditions exacerbated by living in a…

Nature’s Gift Garden, a project to transform a disused tennis court in Troedyrhiw Park, has recently won the Pro Landscaper Community Green Space Under £50,000award. The area was identified as a well-used public open space that lacked floral diversity and educational opportunities, so using over £44,000 funding from Welsh Government’s Local Nature Partnership Fund, biodiversity officers set about changing the area from tarmac to a green oasis of useful plants that could be enjoyed by all. Specialist plants – including medicinal plants, culinary herbs, edible plants, drought tolerant plants and colour grouped native wildflowers for pollinators – were sourced from…

olice officers and staff who have gone the extra mile were recognised at the South Wales Police Crime and Criminal Justice awards. The event showcased examples of how officers and staff across all departments protect the public from organised crime, investigate complex homicides and support families of those who have died in the most horrific circumstances. There was recognition for those who have committed their entire working life to policing and others who perform vital investigative roles, such as analysts, communications data investigators, staff from the Joint Scientific Investigation Unit and the Digital Forensic Unit. Among those recognised were the…

The Minister for Education and Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles, has today announced details of plans to improve literacy and numeracy, as part of wider efforts to deal with impacts of the Covid pandemic in schools. Before the pandemic, Wales was making positive progress in literacy and numeracy. But it’s becoming clear the impacts of the pandemic have undone some of these gains. A recent Welsh Government report on reading and numeracy attainment has detailed some of the impacts. A new maths plan has been developed aiming to raise standards. New engaging ways of learning will be developed as part of…

New legislation has this week (Tuesday, November 28) been passed in the Senedd, giving the Welsh Government greater powers to improve air quality and reduce noise pollution across Wales. The World Health Organisation has described air pollution as the world’s largest single environmental health risk and noise pollution as the second largest risk in Western Europe. The Bill, which was introduced to the Senedd in March 2023, implements measures that contribute to improvements in the quality of the air environment in Wales and reduces the impacts of air pollution on human health, biodiversity, the natural environment and our economy. The…

Wales has become the first country in the UK to confirm a route to remediation for all high-rise residential buildings affected by fire safety issues. The commitment applies to all residential buildings of 11 metres or over in height and is not restricted to buildings with cladding. Reforming building safety is a key part of the Welsh Government’s Cooperation Agreement with Plaid Cymru and a significant update was delivered by Climate Change Minister Julie James in the Senedd yesterday (Tuesday November 28). The commitment comes alongside confirmation the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors will publish updated cladding valuation guidance to…

Plans for an Investment Zone worth up to £160 million in North East Wales have come a step closer after the UK Government pledged to support it. The news announced in the House of Commons by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt in the Autumn Statement) has been welcomed by the leaders of the consortium which has campaigned for investment zone status for Wrexham and Flintshire. Earlier this month the Welsh Government revealed they too supported the idea which could herald thousands of new jobs and a £1.7 billion boost to the region’s economy. The Chancellor visited  North East Wales, home to two…

A £22,000 refurbishment of the children’s play area in Neath’s town centre Victoria Gardens has been successfully carried out with funding from Neath Port Talbot Council The refreshed play area now features new safety surfacing throughout and time-worn benches have been replaced with more robust seating made of recycled material. New equipment includes a mini basket swing and an inclusive Crocodile Springie, a Curlicue Rotator and sensory play panels. A funding package for the project came from the Neath Port Talbot Council Additional Works Programme Equipped Play Area Refurbishment Fund. Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Streetscene, Cllr Scott…

Do you love sports betting, but hate losing money? Are you tired of relying on luck and hoping for the best? Do you wish there was a way to make consistent profits from betting, without any risk? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you need to know about matched betting. Matched betting is a smart and simple strategy that lets you take advantage of free bet offers from bookmakers, and turn them into real cash. You don’t need to be an expert in sports or betting, you just need to follow some easy steps and use…