Author: Rhys Gregory

Huw Richards, 40, of Cilfynydd, has been sentenced to one year and two months in prison following his conviction for attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. He has also been given a sexual harm prevention order for the next 10 years.  The sentencing took place at Merthyr Crown Court on Thursday February 5, 2026, where Richards was found guilty after pleading not guilty during a previous hearing on July 21, 2025. The case came to light on June 22, 2025, when an online child protection group, reported Richards to the police. At approximately 3:05pm, the group apprehended…

Increased patrols will be in effect across Wrexham city centre this weekend as part of matchday policing arrangements. The 3pm Championship fixture between Wrexham AFC and Millwall will be played at the SToK Cae Ras stadium on Saturday, 7 February. A sell-out crowd has been confirmed for the match, with around 10,600 fans expected to attend. Accordingly, police resourcing for the event has been escalated to ensure public safety. Reports of low-level disorder at Wrexham’s recent away fixtures resulted in a small number of fans being arrested or ejected from the stands. At QPR’s Loftus Road ground on 24 January,…

Work to improve the health of woodland at a Site of Interest for Nature Conservation (SINC) in Bute Park is due to begin next week. The work, which is part of a long-term woodland management plan that has been developed for the ancient semi-natural woodland at Blackweir, aims to enhance biodiversity in the woodland, improve its structure, manage ash dieback to ensure public safety, and maintain the features of the historic park. Similar woodland management plans are also being developed for woodland at Forest Farm, Nant Fawr, Howardian, and Heath Park. The plans will support a future application to Welsh…

Construction will soon be underway on a new skate and wheeled sports facility at Mynydd Newydd in Penlan, marking another milestone in Swansea Council’s £3m investment to improve facilities for young people and wheeled sports enthusiasts across the city. Canvas Spaces Ltd has been appointed as contractor for the scheme, which will deliver a modern, inclusive space for wheeled sports. Work is progressing on a number of new and upgraded skate and wheeled sports facilities throughout Swansea. Bendcrete Ltd will carry out works at the Phoenix Centre in Townhill, where construction is due to begin in early March. Work is…

Pembrokeshire County Council has announced that construction work has commenced on the new Tŷ Haverfordia affordable housing and reablement development at the former Haverfordia House site in Haverfordwest. The scheme, delivered by Wynne Construction, will provide 26 sheltered housing apartments for people aged 55 and over, alongside a dedicated 12-bed reablement centre to support residents returning home from hospital. The development forms part of the Council’s continued commitment to increasing high‑quality, accessible housing and deliver effective modern health and social care support across Pembrokeshire. Initial works began on January 26th 2026 and include securing the site, setting up a small…

Visitors to Pontypridd are advised about a road closure at various town centre streets on Sunday, for essential works relating to the ongoing M&S site development. Whilst this closure applies to vehicles, all pedestrian accesses will be maintained and businesses in the retail area are open as usual. Redevelopment of the former M&S/Dorothy Perkins site started last year, and contractor Horan Construction Ltd is on course to complete the work as planned in spring 2026. The ‘riverside plaza’ project will create a welcoming public space with greenery, small food and drink kiosks, and open views of the River Taff that…

Nine neighbourhoods at the heart of Welsh life, including in Caerphilly, have been named as the recipients of up to £20 million each in UK Government funding to restore pride in their area and open doors to new opportunities. In September last year the UK Government announced that the Pride in Place Programme would see £180 million shared among nine local authorities over 10 years to target areas which can benefit most from a wide range of regeneration projects. This money will empower local people to tackle the issues that are blighting their communities – whether that’s cleaning up graffiti,…

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens was in Blaenau Gwent this week as the Sirhowy Valley was officially named as one of the nine areas to benefit from the UK Government’s Pride in Place Programme. A total of £20million will be available over 10 years to regenerate the area, focusing on the needs and wants of local residents and businesses. Communities will be empowered to help make the decisions on projects through a new Neighbourhood Board, which will be set up shortly. The Secretary of State visited Fresh Active Gym & Café in Tredegar town centre to speak to…

From 5 February 2026 until May 2026, the junction at Comins Coch, joining the A487, will be fully closed as a new cycle path will be delivered as part of ongoing active travel improvements. Throughout this period, TfW and Lloyds Coaches are committed to maintaining reliable travel options for residents, students, and commuters who rely on local bus services. To minimise disruption and ensure continued access to key destinations, the following arrangements will be in place: A dedicated temporary roadworks shuttle service, CC2, will operate between: Comins Coch (Brongwinau Bus Shelter) Lluest for Coleg Ceredigion Waunfawr Aberystwyth Bus Station (Stand…

New tram-trains that will revolutionise transport in South Wales are now in their final phase of testing before being introduced into service on some of the Core Valleys Lines this spring. The Class 398 Tram-Trains, which are part of the Welsh Government’s £800 million investment into brand-new trains across Wales and the Borders, have the unique ability to run on both rail and tram lines, offering more frequent and faster journeys, level boarding, modern air conditioning, power sockets, improved passenger information screens and multi-use areas for bikes and wheelchairs. The 36 brand-new trains will run on the Merthyr, Aberdare and…