Author: Rhys Gregory

A significant increase of COVID-19 cases are being seen across Ceredigion. Current rates show that Ceredigion stands at 656.2 per 100,000 of the population with 464 positive cases reported in the last 7 days. This is the highest recorded level in Ceredigion since the start of the pandemic. The highest numbers are being seen in South Aberystwyth, 851.6 per 100,000 of the population and Borth & Bontgoch 1159.9 per 100,000 of the population. With a very concerning number of cases across the county, Ceredigion Council is urging residents to stick to the basics in order to protect our friends, families…

A stunning new fly-through shows how Swansea’s new-look, family-friendly Wind Street will look once its £3m upgrade is finished. Wind Street is the city’s best-known street and is a thriving base for daytime and nightlife businesses and communities. It’s anticipated substantial completion of the £3m upgrade will be done by the end of November. When it’s finished it will be even more attractive, featuring new flower beds, street furniture and other additions to add colour and vitality. It’ll also link to the soon-to-be upgraded Castle Square Gardens which will also boast more trees and more greenery to offer another family-friendly…

More than 500 pupils are getting ready to move to a new home when they return to school next week after the half-term break. The £11.5m new build for Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Tirdeunaw has been completed and will open on Wednesday. The two-storey state-of-the-art development has been jointly funded by Swansea Council and the Welsh Government and is the latest project to be completed under the 21st Century Schools and Colleges programme. It is part of a £170m in new school buildings and facilities. Swansea Council Leader Rob Stewart visited the new build next to Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bryn Tawe in…

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…