Author: Rhys Gregory

THE Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) is poised for the next stage of the south Wales transport network development, including drawdown of City Deal funding for the Porth Park & Ride and the full design of Cardiff Central Station. After its latest meeting, the CCR Regional Transport Authority, which comprises elected transport portfolio leads from the ten local authorities in south-east Wales, has announced a series of updates to the Metro plus Phase 1 programme, Metro Central, Barry Docks Transport Interchange and the submission of funding bids to Welsh Government to support the delivery of the programme, as well as a…

The government has issued an updated list of those most ‘at risk’ if they contract the Coronavirus disease. In yesterday’s first daily update by the Prime Minister Boris Johnson, pregnant woman were added to the ‘vulnerable’ list. Public Health England chief medical officer Chris Whitty said those on the list should stay at home for 12 weeks. The government has urged everyone to do what they can to stop Coronavirus from spreading. Boris Johnson urged people to avoid the ‘office, pubs and travel’ to help minimise the risk to themselves and others. The people considered ‘at risk’ include: people aged…

The Welsh Government is today announcing a package of support worth more than £200m for small businesses to help them during the Coronavirus outbreak.  This announcement follows confirmation yesterday by the UK Government that Wales will receive £475m in funding to help with its response to Coronavirus. The total number of people in Wales who have tested positive for Coronavirus currently stand at 124, after a further 30 people were diagnosed. It has also been announced that a 68 year old man has become the first patient in Wales known to have died from Coronavirus. Shops, leisure and hospitality businesses with…

An app that simplifies text for students with dyslexia and learning difficulties and a robot friend for those with anxiety and autism are just two of the final ideas in the running to win the £25,000 Longitude Explorer Prize. The prize calls on the UK’s young people to put their ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit to the test and use technology – such as artificial intelligence (AI) – for social good. They have been challenged to create and develop solutions to some of the world’s biggest issues, including climate change, living healthier lives, and an ageing population. Other game-changing ideas hoping…

Anna-Louise Bates, 44, and Zachary Stubbings, 41, are encouraging family and friends to support two good causes very close to their hearts as they celebrate their marriage at Castell Coch at the end of May. Believe Organ Donation Support was created by Anna-Louise from Thornhill in Cardiff, in memory of her late husband Stuart and their son Fraser, who both died in a road accident in December 2015.  Zachary met Anna-Louise when he came to collect a Fraser Bear, the charity’s mascot, after having a stem cell transplant as part of his treatment for blood cancer. The couple got chatting,…

Plans for a groundbreaking Swansea city centre building allowing tech and creative businesses to grow have been submitted for planning permission. The planning application shows a glass-fronted structure rising six stories on the site of The Kingsway’s former Oceana nightclub. More than 600 people could work there. The plans, assisted by feedback in a public consultation last year and further feedback this year, feature two underground levels and a roof terrace with trees. Other greenery, including a green roof, is part of the plans for the building, reflecting Swansea Council’s commitment to green infrastructure. The building’s working title is 71…

Welsh aluminium fabricator Dudley’s Aluminium have secured three new contracts for builds in the south west to benefit their local communities. The first of the three builds is Bath Quays South, an office building with a total of 45,000sqft over five open plan floors. The building will include basement parking, cycle storage, showers, and lockers and has been designed to be flexible with the ability to subdivide floors in accordance with occupier requirements. Dudley’s will be working with BAM Construction Ltd on the build and will be installing a range of Kawneer products including curtain walling and windows, both with…

The Child of Wales Awards, an event that celebrates the inspirational achievements of children across Wales, due to take place in the Celtic Manor on April 3, has been postponed because of concerns overCoronavirus (COVID-19). Some 750 guests including a number of celebrities were due to attend the event hosted by Carol VordermanMBE and Ian Gough. The organisers said that the difficult decision was taken in the best interests of the guests and the young award winners. A new date will be announced for the event once there is greater clarity over managing the Coronavirus. Blanche Sainsbury, the founder of…

After more than 10 years of award-winning wine production, the Ferguson family has sold Kerry Vale Vineyard, located on the England-Wales border near Montgomery. The vineyard, set up by Geoff and June Ferguson as a family business in 2010, has won multiple national and international awards for its wine, its excellent customer service and its café’s locally sourced food and homemade cakes. It has even featured on BBC1, BBC2 and ITV, bringing the border area’s wine scene into the spotlight. Last month, a decade after it was established, Mr Ferguson decided to pass over the baton to wine enthusiasts Russell…

A leading Welsh respiratory consultant is urging smokers to quit now or risk suffering more serious complications if they develop Covid-19. Keir Lewis, Professor of Respiratory Medicine at Swansea University, warns that smokers could be at greater risk of going on to develop the Covid-19 lung illness from the coronavirus. This is because they already have weakened lung defences as a result of their smoking which has damaged the cells protecting their nose and upper and lower airways. Meanwhile many smokers will also have existing lung conditions which we know from other countries makes them much more vulnerable to the…