Author: Rhys Gregory

This March, the UK’s FCA scrapped the £100 limit on contactless card payments, but some banks decided to leave it as it was. They view this limit as a protection against fraud, an extra layer of security. However, no such restrictions apply to contactless payments made through Google Pay. Welsh people use it to order furniture and appliances and to pay for streaming subscriptions and online entertainment, especially younger generations. The lack of limits is far from the only reason for its popularity. Let’s break down the other, less obvious reasons in this article. Security vs Convenience: How GPay Took…

Cardiff Council’s Cabinet has announced that it does not back a congestion charge and instead will consult on a Workplace Parking Levy over the Autumn. The announcement comes on the day an Outline Business Case is considered by the Council’s Cabinet covering the potential options available to raise funding to improve Cardiff’s transport network. A Workplace Parking Levy is a charge to certain businesses for parking spaces on their premises. The Council would use the money raised to improve the quality and frequency of bus services in the city and to make them more affordable, providing commuters with a high…

Motorists in Cardiff are being warned of overnight closures on part of the A4232 as Cardiff Council carries out urgent tree safety work. The closures will affect the section of the A4232 between the Leckwith and Ferry Road slip roads overnight. Northbound carriageway closures will begin at 11pm, with southbound closures following from midnight. Cardiff Council said the work is needed to carry out essential safety work on trees alongside the carriageway. Signed diversion routes will be in place throughout the closures, and drivers are being advised to allow extra time for their journeys and follow the diversion signage. The…

Traffic is building on the M4 in Monmouthshire this morning (Thursday), with motorists being warned to expect delays on the eastbound carriageway. According to Traffic Wales, congestion has developed between Junction 24 at Coldra and Junction 23A at Magor, with drivers advised to allow extra time for their journeys. The affected stretch is a key commuter route heading towards the Prince of Wales Bridge and England, and is regularly busy during the morning rush hour. No specific incident has been reported, but commuters are being urged to plan ahead and expect slower than normal journey times while congestion remains. Traffic…

Progress continues at Swansea’s historic copperworks site as work moves forward on plans to transform the Vivian and Musgrave Engine Houses plus a locomotive shed. In recent months, key enabling works have begun on site, with scaffolding going up around the landmark chimneys and safety hoardings being installed to secure the area. Contractors Andrew Scott are active on site as the latest phase of the scheme gathers pace. The work forms part of Swansea Council’s plans to restore the listed engine houses and neighbouring V&S No.1 shed, helping bring new life to an important part of the city’s industrial heritage.…

Breedon Group Plc has announced a £1m upgrade to the mineral plant at its Welsh Slate quarry in Blaenau, Ffestiniog, boosting the production of slate granules and powders used in construction and manufacturing. As the only UK producer of slate granules for roofing felt, Breedon continues to invest in its Welsh Slate plants and operations. This latest upgrade includes a new control system, burner, mixer and liquid dosing system to modernise the processing of quarried slate into graded granules and fine powders. These mineral products are commonly used in roofing, construction and industrial applications, including roofing and damp-course felts, coatings,…

Persimmon Homes East Wales has appointed its new Construction Director. Craig Derrick will take on responsibility for overseeing the safe, on-time, and quality delivery of all the accredited five-star housebuilder’s developments, while supporting site teams and supply chain with continuous improvement and mentorship. Craig has returned to Persimmon – he was previously a contracts manager for the West Wales business for two years – after a decade away working as a Senior Contacts Manager for Barratt David Wilson’s southwest division before becoming Head of Production at Bromford Housing. Having been in the housebuilding industry since leaving school and completing a…

Families are invited to make the most of the school summer holidays at Mermaid Quay, as the waterfront destination launches six weeks of free, nature-inspired family activities designed to entertain, inspire and spark children’s curiosity about the world around them. Running every Thursday from 23 July to 27 August, Tacoma Square will be transformed into an interactive outdoor adventure, where families can enjoy storytelling, creative crafts and hands-on activities inspired by wildlife, biodiversity and the environment. Each week brings a brand-new theme, giving families a reason to return throughout the summer holidays. The programme begins on Thursday 23 July with…

Quantum Advisory, the leading pensions and employee benefits consultancy for small and medium-sized schemes and employers, today announced the promotion of Adam Cottrell to the role of Principal Consultant. Adam, who is based in the firm’s Head Office in Cardiff, took up the role from 1 July 2026. Joanne Eynon, Partner, commented: “Our success as a firm depends on the quality of our people and we are pleased to be able to recognise their achievements and support them as their career evolves. Adam’s promotion is a demonstration of how we grow our talent from within the firm from the moment they…

Three close sisters-in-law will come together to celebrate the life of a great family man, described as a brilliant husband, dad, brother and brother-in-law, with pink poppies at Cardiff Castle in August in support of City Hospice’s Forever Flowers campaign. Forever Flowers, which is returning for its sixth year, invites supporters to remember cherished family members, friends, colleagues and other loved ones with a lasting tribute. This year’s Forever Flower is a pink poppy, symbolising love, compassion, peace and admiration. The pink poppies will feature in a beautiful display within the grounds of Cardiff Castle from Saturday 1 to Saturday…