Author: Rhys Gregory

The construction phase to install the replacement Feeder Pipe Footbridge, located between Abercynon and Quakers Yard, is now underway. The works are anticipated to cause minimal disruption to local communities. The footbridge is located on the county borough boundary between Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Tydfil, spanning the River Taff between Alexandra Place and Tram Road. The structure sustained significant damage during Storm Dennis, and the bridge deck and parapets have since been removed. Planning permission was granted in April 2024 to install a replacement bridge, designed to be wider and more resilient to future storms. It will be 38-metres…

Newport City Council has welcomed councillor Ray Mogford as the 392nd Mayor of Newport. Councillor Mogford was born and brought up in Newport. He attended Hartridge High School and later joined the Royal Air Force where he studied avionics. After leaving the RAF he worked in the semiconductor industry and retired in 2022. Since being first elected to the council in 2012 councillor Mogford has served on a number of council committees, including the planning committee and the governance and audit committees. Most recently he has been chair of the democratic services committee and is on the board of governors…

Chepstow Town Council, Monmouthshire County Council and Welsh Government have come together to invest more than £200,000 in The Drill Hall, Chepstow’s principal arts venue. For the past 15 years Chepstow Town Council and Monmouthshire County Council has worked with a remarkable volunteer group to develop the facility as Chepstow’s Arts and community Centre with a lively programme of film, drama, dance and music. The Drill Hall is also used extensively by local and national societies and organisations, artists and ensembles. In addition, the Drill Hall building houses Chepstow Boxing Club, an important part of the sport and wellbeing provision within the Town. Before this investment the roof was leaking and…

A planning application to construct a new replacement building for an all-through school in Machynlleth has been submitted, Powys County Council has announced. Powys County Council is to build a new school for Ysgol Bro Hyddgen as part of its Transforming Education programme. The school is currently transitioning from a dual-stream school to a Welsh-medium school. With the Maldwyn 2024 Urdd Eisteddfod just a week away, the submission of the application marks a key milestone in the project and will help the council meet its commitments in its Welsh in Education Strategic Plan and the aims of the Strategy for Transforming…

Work to improve standards of maths in Welsh schools is progressing with new schemes in place helping to boost confidence, develop skills and encourage more take up. Before the pandemic, schools in Wales were making positive progress in numeracy and work is now under way to get things back on track. Since April 2023, more than 3,500 learners have taken part in activities delivered by Mathematics Support Programme Wales (MSPW), with more schools set to take part. The scheme, managed by Swansea University, is backed by £450,000 of Welsh Government funding. Activities include maths clubs and masterclasses, talks offering insights…

New Regulations have today been approved by the Senedd for the mandatory use of CCTV in all slaughterhouses in Wales. The Mandatory Use of Closed Circuit Television in Slaughterhouses (Wales) Regulations 2024 will require CCTV cameras to be installed in all slaughterhouses in areas where live animals are unloaded, kept, handled, stunned, and killed. This is a Programme for Government commitment and is included in the Animal Welfare Plan for Wales, which seeks to maintain and improve standards of welfare for all kept animals. Most slaughterhouses in Wales already have CCTV.  This requirement ensures all are covered, supporting consumer confidence…

In his first appearance at the UK Parliament Transport Committee as Cabinet Secretary for North Wales and Transport, Ken Skates set out his three asks of the UK Government as well as his ambition for a fully integrated, efficient system which meets the needs of Welsh passengers. He called for: Full autonomy for the Wales and Borders franchise. A partnership role in designing and managing services run by other operators which impact Welsh passengers. Ensure the new integrated rail body (Great British Rail) is accountable to the Welsh Government and the Senedd for its work in Wales. Speaking at the…

The chairman of regional tourism organisation MWT Cymru is delighted that 13 beaches along the Ceredigion coast have been recognised in this year’s Wales Coast Awards for water quality, public facilities, safety provision and management. The popular beaches at Borth, Aberystwyth South, Llangrannog and Tresaith will be flying Blue Flags, while Clarach, Aberystwyth North, New Quay Harbour, New Quay Dolau/North and Aberporth have achieved the Seaside Award. Llanrhystud, Cilborth-Llangrannog, Penbryn and Mwnt have received the Green Coast Award. Beaches achieving Blue Flag and Green Coast award status must meet the highest “excellent” water quality standard and are judged for the…

Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay’s leading dining and leisure destination, has signed three new tenants as it gears up for a busy summer. Following a string of new openings across the UK, Giggling Squid selected Mermaid Quay as its 49th restaurant after agreeing a lease for a 4,666 sq ft unit overlooking Tacoma Square.  The Thai restaurant promises to offer visitors to the bay a dining experience that encapsulates Thailand’s rich culinary heritage in the chic surrounding of the chain’s signature interiors. Renowned hair salon owner Ken Picton has taken a 2,220 sq ft unit next to its long-standing hair salon…

Cathays High School has been crowned the champion of the Debate Mate Cup for 2024, after beating the defending champions of the last two years, Willows High School. Students from Cantonian High, Eastern High, Fitzalan High, Ysgol Glantaf, Cardiff West Community High, Willows High, St Teilo’s CiW High School and Cathays High schools took part in the 12-week schools debating programme delivered by Debate Mate across the 8 schools in the city. The 12-week programme culminated with the final, sponsored by Principality Building Society at the Principality Stadium. The day of head-to-head debates involved volunteers from Principality Building Society supporting Debate…