Author: Rhys Gregory

Transport for Wales (TfW) is reinforcing their Travel Safer message, urging people to only use public transport for essential travel and where there are no other travel alternatives. Running a reduced service, with limited capacity due to social distancing measures, TfW are sending out a clear message that public transport remains to maintain safe space for key workers. With non-essential businesses opening this week, TfW are appealing to the public to think about their method of transport and understand that public transport space is limited. TfW has introduced additional safety measures in their stations and on trains including social distancing, one-way systems, additional cleaning and following government advice regarding face coverings. The launch of their Travel Safer campaign a couple of weeks ago promoted five key principles for…

The Leader of Caerphilly county borough council has confirmed that schools across the area will reopen to pupils on Monday 29th June for a period of three weeks before the start of the main summer holidays on Friday 17th July. Cllr Philippa Marsden said, “The original proposal was for pupils to return for a period of four weeks, however, after extended discussions we have concluded that our schools will now open for 3 weeks and close for the summer holidays on 17th July.” “We are taking a consistent approach across Gwent and I very much welcome this opportunity for pupils…

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has announced its Emergency Childcare provision for the school summer term starting on June 29 – with childcare available across all school settings. Welsh Government has announced that all pupils have the opportunity to return to school from June 29. Up to a third of pupils will be in school at any given time, in order to enable pupils to safely Check In, Catch Up and Prepare for the summer and September. In addition to these opportunities, Emergency Childcare will be provided. The Council has confirmed its Emergency Childcare provision for this period – for the children…

Caerphilly Council pressing ahead with plans to implement social distancing measures in local town centres following the First Ministers announcement giving the green light for non-essential businesses to reopen. Local town centres will see the installation of signage and other measures put in to make local town centres a safe space for shoppers. The authority is also encouraging residents to ‘shop local’ by temporarily waiving charges at town centre Pay and Display car parks until the end of the year. Cllr Philippa Marsden, Leader of the council said, “We anticipated that this message would come and we welcome the reopening…

Newport City Council is working alongside businesses preparing to reopen as part of the nation’s recovery from lockdown. Welsh Government confirmed on Friday that all non-essential retail outlets across the country will be able to reopen from Monday 22nd June, providing they have put in place measures to enable social distancing within their premises. To help both businesses and shoppers, the council’s Shop Safe Newport campaign, brings together information about what shopping in Newport will look like. There is information for shoppers about what extra measures will be in place to help them shop in safety. Measures that the council…

A major new package of funding has been announced by the Welsh Government to create more space for people to travel under social distancing restrictions. Councils will get investment for schemes that widen pavements and create more space for cyclists to embed those new habits for the long-term. The £15.4m move is part of the Welsh Government’s radical new ‘Transforming Towns’ approach by making it safer and easier for people to get around their local towns. The funding will also be used to help buses move around towns easier to promote public transport when the lockdown eases. Today’s funding is…

Road closures in Cardiff city centre are being put in place to ensure public safety as lockdown restrictions begin to lift in the capital and non-essential shops open their doorsto the public from Monday, June 22. Road Closures Castle Street and Mill Lane Castle Street and Mill Lane will be closed to all traffic, from 12 Noon on Sunday, June 21st until further notice. The Castle Street closure will enable the build of a covered, outdoor seating area on Castle Street and in the Castle moat. This area is being designed for local restaurant and cafes to use. It will help…

South Wales Police officers are currently dealing with a serious road traffic collision which has occurred in the northbound carriageway of Dillwyn Street, Swansea, between the entrance to the Tesco Supermarket and the junction with Western Street.  The incident, which happened at around 1.30am this morning, involved a single vehicle, a black 125cc motorcycle.  As a result of the collision, the 15 year old male rider has received serious injuries and is currently being treated at Morriston Hospital. The northbound carriageway of Dillwyn Street remains closed at the location, to allow the police to conduct their investigations. Officers from South Wales…

Shoppers, workers and residents visiting Cardiff city centre from Monday, June 22, will be greeted by staffed Welcome Points, safe walking systems and some road closures as the city launches stage one of its phased plan to safeguard the public as COVID lockdown restrictions begin to lift. Welsh Government announced on Friday, June 19, that non-essential shops in the city can open from Monday. Cardiff Council immediately implemented its plan to keep people safe and help businesses to reopen, including: Setting up staffed welcome and information points; Creating a clearly signed walking system – accessible to all; Establishing queuing areas…

The types of waste that can be brought to Cardiff’s Lamby Way and Bessemer Close recycling centres is changing on Monday, June 22. Residents will now be able to bring large electrical items, white goods, batteries, clothes, tyres, paint and several other items that were accepted before the COVID-19 Pandemic began. Non-recyclable such as Polystyrene, shrinkwrap, mirrors and blinds can also be brought to the recycling centres, but have to be brought loose and put in specific skip. Green-bag-recyclable waste and general waste, however, will not be accepted and anyone who brings these to a recycling centre will have to…