Author: Rhys Gregory

Family have paid tribute to 45-year-old Michael Griffiths, who died after being involved in a collision with a car in Llantrisant. The incident happened on Heol-Y-Sarn, opposite the main entrance to the Royal Mint, at around 5.50pm on Wednesday 22 October. Michael was a pedestrian and was from the local area. In a statement, his family said: “Michael was a much-loved son, one-of-a-kind father, an irreplaceable big brother to three doting siblings, and a genuine, loyal friend to many. We are all deeply saddened to have lost Michael in such a tragic way, but we now want to focus on…

Drivers are being warned of an overnight closure on the M4 westbound between Junction 24 Coldra and Junction 25 Caerleon. The closure will be in place from 8pm on Sunday 23 November until 6am on Monday 24 November to allow planned works to take place safely. A diversion route will be in place for the duration of the closure and road users are advised to allow extra time for their journeys. The eastbound carriageway is not affected.

Residents across the city who put their general waste into black bags and put these on the pavement for collection have now received new seagull sacks – a simple but effective solution to stop birds and pests from tearing open rubbish bags and scattering litter across our streets. Households that use wheeled bins have not received the new seagull sacks – as there isn’t a need for these properties, as wheeled bins are a proven way to contain household waste. Following a successful trial of the seagull sacks in Adamsdown to over 1,000 properties earlier this year, the results were…

Both Gnoll Country Park and Margam Country Park are in Keep Britain Tidy’s list of the UK’s top ten green spaces. The parks, both managed by Neath Port Talbot Council, have become 2025 People’s Choice winners. The People’s Choice “top ten green spaces” list, organised by Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Awards team, is voted for annually by thousands of votes from park users across the UK. This special recognition comes after both sites achieved the prestigious Green Flag Award earlier this year – a quality mark that recognises well-managed, high-quality green spaces. Cllr Cen Phillips, Neath Port Talbot Council’s…

Pembrokeshire County Council has announced the death of Councillor Jordan Ryan, describing the news as a deep loss to the county and the community he represented. Council Leader Cllr Jon Harvey said: “On behalf of Pembrokeshire County Council I would like to express our shock and extreme sorrow at the death of Cllr Ryan. “Cllr Ryan was a man of values and principles who was extremely proud to represent his constituents of the Fishguard North East ward. “His passionate and thoughtful contributions to Council meetings will be sorely missed by every Member, no matter their political colours. “I pass on…

The Council has provided a construction update on phase five of the Rhondda Fach Active Travel Route, to establish the route’s final section from Ferndale to Tylorstown. The works are around half-way through, and have included building three replacement footbridges and two pedestrian and cycle links. The 10km walking and cycling route from Maerdy through to Tylorstown has made excellent overall progress since 2023. This significant investment for Rhondda Fach communities is in partnership with Welsh Government, and is being delivered in five phases of work. Phases one, two, four and five will represent the primary route, with phase three…

Community groups across the Caerphilly county borough are being encouraged to come forward and submit a bid for a major new funding programme. The Ministry for Housing, Communities & Local Government has announced that Caerphilly Council is to be awarded a grant allocation from the Pride in Place Impact Fund. Leader of Council, Cllr Jamie Pritchard said “We want to encourage groups from right across the county borough to come forward with their bids to ensure the allocated funding from UK Government supports community-led improvements. It is important that this funding reaches the front line, so we look forward to…

Exciting plans for a new school building for learners in south Powys have taken another significant step forward with the submission of a planning application, the county council has announced. Powys County Council has submitted its planning application to build a new 120-place primary school to replace Sennybridge C.P. School’s current building, which is no longer suitable to meet the needs of a 21st Century curriculum or the well-being requirements of pupils. The planning application will be considered by the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority. The new building will provide modern, fit-for-purpose facilities that will enable the curriculum to be…

The Deputy First Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies, has returned to Cwmtillery, one year since a significant landslip at a disused coal tip during Storm Bert in November 2024. Accompanied by representatives from Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council and the Mining Remediation Authority, he saw first-hand the progress made on crucial infrastructure improvements. This includes the installation of new drainage works and slope reprofiling – to help stabilise and reduce the risk of future landslides and erosion – thanks to £610,000 of Welsh Government support through the Coal Tip Safety Grant Scheme. The Deputy First Minister, who has responsibility for Climate Change,…

Police have charged a man from Rumney with escaping from lawful custody following an incident at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff. Officers received a report just after 7pm on Monday 13 October that a prisoner had escaped from prison staff while on an escorted hospital visit. Daniel Flynn, 24, has been charged with escaping from lawful custody. He also faces charges of robbery and possession of a knife. Flynn appeared at Cardiff Magistrates Court on 18 November and has been remanded in custody. He is due to appear at Cardiff Crown Court next month.