Author: Rhys Gregory

Passengers could book taxi and bus-style self-driving vehicles later this year, as applications open today (22 May 2026) for operators to run cars across Great Britain. The pilot scheme will enable firms – including self-driving technology company Wayve – to bring cutting-edge technology to British roads, creating thousands of jobs and unlocking billions for the economy by 2035. Services could enhance journeys by supporting greater freedom and independence for older and disabled people, as well as expanding travel options across both work and leisure. Self-driving technology could transform roads, with human error currently contributing to 88% of collisions on UK…

Further funding for the Elan Valley Lakes Project has been approved by the Growing Mid Wales Board (19 May). The decision marks an important step forward, enabling the next stage of the project to begin. The decision enables the next stage of the project to proceed, following the required business case and assurance process. In March 2025, the project received £565,500 of Growth Deal funding to support early delivery activity. This has enabled initial work to begin on key elements, including plans for the expansion of the Celtic rainforest and the design of a new visitor centre, marking the transition from planning…

The new Welsh Government will pick up the pace to ensure people across Wales are seen faster for NHS treatment. It comes as new figures released this week show 666,700 patient pathways waiting to start NHS treatment, although this was a fall of 21,300 in March compared to February. Just under 2,600 pathways were waiting more than two years, a decrease of 1,928 from the previous month. The average waiting time for treatment is just over 15 weeks. Health and Care Minister Mabon ap Gwynfor is clear that much more needs to be done. He said: “Too many people are…

Welsh workers and their communities will benefit from a landmark shift in how the Welsh Government shapes policy, First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth has told trade union leaders this week. In a keynote speech to TUC Cymru’s biennial congress this morning, the FM outlined a programme placing workers’ voices at the centre of government — from procurement and skills to industrial remediation and the green transition. Public bodies in Wales currently spend more than £8 billion a year on procurement. The Welsh Government aims to increase the share of public contracts awarded to Welsh-based firms from around 55% to over…

Plans to develop a new state-of-the-art recycling operations depot in Ystrad Mynach are progressing. Following the successful completion of the statutory Pre-Application Consultation (PAC), Caerphilly County Borough Council can confirm that a full planning application has now been submitted for the proposed facility at Dyffryn Business Park. The development forms a key part of the Council’s ambitious Waste and Recycling Strategy and will support the implementation of Welsh Government’s ‘blueprint’ collections from 2028. The proposed facility will allow the Council to process all kerbside recycling materials locally and will replace the existing operations depot in Tir-y-berth, helping to deliver a…

Pembrokeshire’s much‑loved coastal buses are gearing up for another summer of scenic journeys, with three key services returning from Saturday May 23rd. The services are: Puffin Shuttle (Service 400 – Richards Bros) linking St David’s and Marloes, this route takes in Broad Haven, Little Haven, St Brides, Marloes and Martins Haven – the gateway to boat trips for Skomer Island. Strumble Shuttle (Service 404 – Richards Bros) running the spectacular coast road between St Davids and Fishguard, with stops at Abereiddy (home of the Blue Lagoon), Porthgain, and Strumble Head. The Coastal Cruiser (Service 387/388 – Pembrokeshire County Council) around…

A Cardiff business owner and his company have been ordered to pay more than £9,000 after a rat infestation was discovered at a minimarket in Ely. Cardiff Council confirmed that Jeyaratnam Pathmastri, of Ely, appeared before Cardiff Magistrates’ Court on May 12 where he pleaded guilty to three charges against both himself and his company, Family Choice T&N Ltd. The prosecution followed an investigation by Shared Regulatory Services after a member of the public raised concerns in August 2024 about rat droppings and contaminated food at the Family Choice Minimarket in Ely. The complaint was made after a customer purchased…

A South Wales mother began a gruelling trek up Ben Nevis at 5.30am this morning (Friday, May 22), carrying 281 hand-knitted kidneys to raise awareness of the Welsh transplant waiting list. Carolyn Thomas, from Efail Isaf, is leading the “One’s Enough” Three Peaks Challenge alongside friends and family. The team will carry 281 wool and felt kidneys, lovingly crafted by the Pontyclun Yarnmongers to the summits of Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). Each piece represents a real person currently waiting for a kidney transplant in Wales. The campaign has already made history before even reaching the first…

A new Shaun the Sheep augmented reality trail has been launched at St David’s Cardiff, alongside a line-up of fun half-term activities. Families are invited to embark on a free adventure with the Shaun the Sheep: Fun with the Flock augmented reality trail at the city shopping destination, bringing the much-loved Shaun the Sheep character and his farmyard friends to life in 3D. Guests can hunt down nine markers throughout St David’s, each unlocking an interactive A.R. scene. Along the way, families can complete fun challenges with Bitzer the dog, pose alongside animated characters, and capture photos and videos to share…

voco St David’s Cardiff has become one of only a handful of spas in the UK to offer “Nurturing Touch”, a specialist wellbeing treatment from spa partner ishga Skincare, designed specifically for people undergoing or recovering from cancer treatment. Available now at The Spa at St David’s, the deeply nurturing treatment has been carefully developed to provide comfort, relaxation and emotional support in a safe and restorative environment. The treatment is SATCC approved, meaning therapists have undertaken specialist Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care training to ensure treatments can be adapted safely and sensitively to individual client needs. The…