Author: Rhys Gregory

Drivers are being warned that a further overnight road closure will soon take place as part of resurfacing works along a stretch of the A4063 near Maesteg. Part of the WEPA Paper Mills’ ongoing £100m expansion, work was due to be completed last week but poor weather and plant operational issues meant the work was unable to be finished. The rescheduled work is expected to take place on 8 November between 11pm and 4am the following day. This will affect the A4063 from the layby opposite the paper mills to the Cefn Ydfa access. With a temporary diversion route in…

Residents in parts of Merthyr Vale, Plymouth and Treharris Wards have agreed with proposals to extend the planned average speed cameras along the A4054 (Cardiff Road). The public consultation exercise, which took place August to September 2021, prompted over 1200 responses from residents, road users and members of the wider public, with over 63% of people agreeing with the installation of the cameras. The consultation was carried out after speed surveys identified ‘excessive speeding on a continuous basis’ along the road, meaning action was urgently needed to improve road safety.  Several options were considered, and average speed cameras were deemed…

Rugby supporters heading into Cardiff to watch Wales’ autumn internationals are being reminded they must wear a face covering on public transport. A capacity 74,500 crowd is expected at the Principality Stadium on Saturday for Wales’ opening game of the series against New Zealand – the first sell-out since the 2020 Six Nations. With many more thousands of people expected into the Welsh capital to watch the match in bars and other venues, Transport for Wales and the British Transport Police are stressing the importance of following the Welsh Government’s Covid regulations. Leyton Powell, Safety and Sustainability Director at Transport…

Caerphilly County is getting ready for the most wonderful time of the year with Winter Food and Craft Markets popping up throughout the Borough. Taking place in Bargoed, Ystrad Mynach, Caerphilly and Blackwood the Winter Food and Craft Markets will include everything you need for a festive day out. Each market will host between 20 and 50 food and craft stalls, a selection of children’s funfair rides along with a jam packed programme of top quality street theatre entertainment. Offering the perfect opportunity for visitors to shop locally, each participating town centre has a selection of independent stores with some…

Newport City Council bestowed the Freedom of the City of Newport on the Royal British Legion (RBL) in a special ceremony this week. This rare honour was given in recognition and appreciation of the RBL’s service to the country as it marks its centenary year. Today also marked the launch of the organisation’s annual Poppy Appeal which supports the Armed Forces community, both past and present, and their families. RBL members and dignitaries, including the Lord Lieutenant of Gwent and the High Sheriff, attended a ceremony in the city centre. Chief executive Beverly Owen read out the Freedom Scroll before…

First Minister Mark Drakeford will today [Friday] say alert level zero protective measures will be strengthened to keep people safe and help reduce high levels of coronavirus in Wales. Rates of coronavirus in Wales are currently the highest in the UK. The First Minister will say Wales is facing a serious situation and that unless rates begin to fall over the next three weeks, Ministers will have to consider reintroducing some restrictions at the next review to bring the spread of the virus under control. First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “Over the past three weeks, coronavirus cases have risen sharply…

The Welsh Government is being urged to prioritise support for business rates, staffing, training and specific capital investment in Wales’ tourism sector with the money it receives from UK Government’s Budget. The call is made by Suzy Davies, chair of Wales Tourism Alliance, which represents all sectors of tourism industry in Wales. She welcomed the UK Government’s Budget commitments yesterday (Wednesday) and hopes the Welsh Government will now follow suit. “It was important that the Chancellor continued to recognise some of the pressures directly affecting tourism over this challenging period,” she said. “The lower VAT rate for tourism businesses remains…

A package of investment has been secured to revitalise Aberystwyth’s sea front area and boost Ceredigion’s local economy during the budget announcement today. Ceredigion County Council welcomes the announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer during the UK Government’s budget yesterday (27 October 2021) as it was confirmed that Ceredigion will be awarded with an investment for the Old College and Harbour as part of the UK Levelling Up Fund. The funding will contribute to realising Aberystwyth University’s plans to bring new life to the Old College, and the delivery of schemes to create a Living Harbour and a Revitalised…

Top butcher Edwards of Conwy has just clinched a deal that will put their award-winning bangers on the shelves of over 500 Co-op stores across England and Wales. Their popular six-pack sausages will be on sale at Co-op supermarkets across the Midlands and North West of England as well as in 130 stores in Wales and the border counties. Edwards of Conwy have invested £2.6 million in a newly expanded production facility on the Morfa Conwy Business Park, in Conwy, which will soon be producing an extra 14,000 sausages a week to cope with the increased demand. Managing Director Simon…

A new Community Rail Officer has been appointed by South West Wales Connected (SWWCo), a Community Rail Partnership set up to support the communities along the railway lines throughout Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Neath Port Talbot and Swansea. Ashley Morgan joins SWWCo after a career focused on travel and customer relations; he previously worked in a customer facing role on ocean liners and prior to that he worked for Thomas Cook. He has also supported individuals as a mental health worker. In his new role he will work to encourage the use of rail services through the increased participation of local communities…