Author: Rhys Gregory

Work to strengthen Caerphilly Road Railway Bridge is set to begin at the end of March, with a diversion route put in place for motorists to use while the works take place. The bridge, which is owned by Transport for Wales, requires remedial work to ensure that the structure is safe. During the works, night-time road closures will be put in place on Caerphilly Road (A469) between Ty-Wern and Waun-Y-Groes Avenue on the following times and dates: From 8pm on March 25th until 5am on March 26th From 8pm on April 1st until 5am on April 2nd From 8pm on April 15th until…

A balanced budget protecting essential services and safeguarding hundreds of local jobs while increasing spending in important areas like education and social services was approved at a special meeting of Neath Port Talbot Council on Thursday (March 2nd, 2023). Among the key points of the budget, which was recommended for approval to council by members of its Rainbow Coalition Cabinet at their meeting on Wednesday (March 1st) are: An increase in the Social Services budget of £13.8m (15%) – much greater than the increased financial settlement provided by the Welsh Government of 7.1%. A like-for-like rise in the delegated schools…

The incredible contribution one family has made to foster caring in Pembrokeshire over more than three decades was celebrated at County Hall recently. A special thank you event was held for Alex Allison, and his late wife Dorothy, who have helped countless children and young people find their way in life by welcoming them into their home. Mr and Mrs Allison were foster carers in Fishguard for more than 30 years, providing a safe, secure and nurturing home to more than 100 children of all ages, from all walks of life and many remain in touch today. Mr Allison and…

Last year it was confirmed that Chepstow would be the next town to benefit from the Community Nature Spaces Project following the completion of schemes in Monmouth. Residents and stakeholders were asked for their views on possible enhancements for green spaces in the Autumn of 2022. The four Chepstow sites that will be taken forward at this time are: The Danes, Severn Crescent, Woolpitch Road and Strongbow Road. These sites have been selected based on responses received during the first stages of the consultation and where it’s possible to meet the needs of the environment and the community. Residents, businesses…

Preparation work, in readiness for the planting of 27 new trees in the autumn, on the streets of Machynlleth town centre will begin this week. Following last year’s engagement exercise and the subsequent removal of some of the existing trees, works to begin improving the conditions of the remaining and the planned new street trees along Heol Maengwyn (A489), Penrallt St and Pentrehedyn St (A487) will begin this week (week commencing 6 March). Work will include improving the street surfaces and the planting conditions of the remaining trees as well as creating underground planting pits for the 27 new trees…

It’s National Careers Week and the perfect opportunity for parents, guardians and carers to discuss the topic with young people in their care. With different options and route to choose from, from college and university through to apprenticeships and work experience, young people have big decisions to make. Parents and carers are huge influencers in the lives of young people and can make positive contributions to these choices. But what is the best way to do this? Whilst speaking to young people about their futures and the world of work can be a daunting task, it doesn’t need to be.…

An entrepreneurial Aberystwyth academic has been granted funding and mentoring support to develop a new app for Spanish language learning. Head of Modern Languages, Dr Guy Baron, is the first Aberystwyth academic to be accepted onto the Aspect Research Commercialisation (ARC) Accelerator Programme. The programme is designed to help academics and researchers from arts, humanities, and social sciences (SHAPE) disciplines to develop ideas based on their research into businesses or ventures to help people, society, and the economy. Dr Baron will work with Dr Edore Akpokodje and students in the Department of Computer Science at Aberystwyth University, to develop his…

The housebuilder is currently building nearly 300 new properties at Carn y Cefn on the former Ebbw Vale Comprehensive School and College site. A total of 55 of the properties will eventually be available for social rent with not-for-profit housing organisation United Welsh for prospective tenants on the Blaenau Gwent Council Common Housing Register. Representatives from Persimmon Homes East Wales and United Welsh were recently joined by Blaenau Gwent’s Cabinet Member for Place, Cllr John Morgan, to mark the latest handover of four properties at the development. Further homes will be transferred by Persimmon to United Welsh later this year.…

THE team behind a transformative jobs and education programme are encouraging businesses to attend a free careers exhibition for 16 to 24 year olds. The Conwy Careers Fair will be held at Eirias Events Centre in Colwyn Bay on Thursday March 23 from 11am to 4pm. Conwy Employment Hub has already signed-up leading names from across the region and is calling on more to help ease the nationwide recruitment crisis in multiple sectors. The Hub – which oversees Communities for Work Plus – organised the event in partnership with Working Wales, which is delivered by Careers Wales, the DWP (Department…

A homebuilder is contributing almost £5 million into services in and around Cardiff as part of planning agreements for three of its developments. Bellway is constructing hundreds of homes at schemes in the area including Longwood Grange in Lisvane, Coed Derw in Llantwit Fardre, and Rhiwlas at Plasdŵr, in Cardiff. Developers commit to contributing money for amenities as part of their legal agreements when the local authority grants planning permission for a new scheme. And between them, these Bellway schemes are generating developer investment in services ranging from travel to waste management. Billie Oaten, Sales Director for Bellway Wales, said:…