Author: Rhys Gregory

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) has launched a new public safety campaign aimed at reducing the number of house fires caused by unattended cooking. The campaign, titled “Don’t Feed the Fire”, highlights the dangers of becoming distracted while preparing food and comes as new figures reveal cooking remains one of the leading causes of accidental fires in homes across South Wales. In 2025 alone, firefighters attended 174 cooking-related fires, with 96 of those incidents caused by people becoming distracted or falling asleep while cooking. The problem remains widespread across the region. Since 2021, almost a third (32%) of…

Enabling works to transform Callaghan Square as part of the first phase of the Cardiff Crossrail will start on 15 June, with a new tram-train route set to be built between Cardiff Central Railway Station and Cardiff Bay. The joint project between Cardiff Council and Transport for Wales has appointed GRAHAM as the principal contractor to deliver the first phase of the scheme. The scheme marks the beginning of an ambitious vision for Cardiff Crossrail, which, when complete, will deliver a modern tram system connecting Plasdwr in the north-west of the city with the proposed new Parkway Railway Station in…

The delivery of another crossing over the River Taff has moved a step closer, after Cardiff Council’s Planning Committee approved plans for a new pedestrian and cycle bridge connecting The Marl in Grangetown with Hamadryad Park in Butetown.The approval at yesterday’s (June 4) meeting marks a significant milestone in the regeneration of the Channel View area – a major scheme within the Council’s ambitious housing programme to deliver 4,000 new homes across the city. The bridge forms a key part of the wider Channel View masterplan, which will deliver new homes and improved public spaces for the local community. Together,…

A much-loved play area in Rumney, known to generations of local residents as “the Quarry”, has officially reopened following a major refurbishment that includes what is believed to be Cardiff’s longest slide. Catherine Gardens play area has undergone a significant transformation, providing local children and families with a range of new attractions while retaining its reputation as one of the area’s most popular outdoor play spaces. For decades, the site has been a favourite destination for local youngsters, many of whom will remember racing down the large hillside slides that made the “Quarry” a landmark play area in east Cardiff.…

Neath Port Talbot Council has welcomed confirmation that South West Wales has progressed to the next stage of the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund, unlocking potential access to up to £20 million to boost the region’s clean energy and advanced materials sectors. The funding will support projects focused on energy security, including offshore wind, hydrogen and cleaner industrial energy, as well as materials security, helping develop new ways to recover and process critical materials.  The Local Innovation Partnerships Fund (LIPF) is a flagship UK government programme, delivered through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), investing up to £500 million to strengthen regional…

Young people from Tredegar have been praised for taking action to improve their local community after organising a clean-up of a skate park as part of Volunteers’ Week. The initiative, led by young people who attend Stocktonville Youth Club, brought together families, local police officers and fire service representatives to help tidy and improve the popular community space. Organised by Blaenau Gwent Youth Service, the clean-up focused on a skate park that had become affected by litter, with the young people deciding they wanted to take positive action rather than simply raising concerns. Armed with litter pickers, gloves and jet…

Powys County Council is responding to a cyber security incident affecting some school systems, which has resulted in unauthorised access to some personal data. The incident was initially identified in April 2026 and was contained quickly. Immediate and robust action was taken to secure systems and limit further impact. Specialist experts and partners are supporting a detailed and ongoing investigation. Early findings confirm that some personal data relating to pupils, staff and others connected to the school has been accessed from one school. Work is ongoing to fully understand the scope of the incident and identify all those affected. Cllr…

Bird keepers are being advised that ‘Low risk does not mean no risk’ as the all-Wales Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) has today been lifted. Mandatory biosecurity measures for poultry and other captive birds were introduced in January 2025 to help prevent the spread of avian influenza from wild birds or any other source. Following the removal of mandatory housing measures in April, the decision to lift the remaining AIPZ biosecurity measures follows the latest outbreak assessment showing the risk of bird flu transmission from wild to kept birds in Great Britain has reduced from ‘Medium’ to ‘Low’. The lifting…

People across Wales can expect a mixed weekend of sunshine, heavy rain and the risk of thunderstorms, according to the latest forecast. Friday will bring a combination of sunny spells and scattered showers, although most areas are expected to stay dry for much of the day. Any showers that do develop are likely to be lighter than those seen earlier this week, although an isolated heavy downpour cannot be ruled out. With light winds and temperatures reaching around 17°C, conditions should feel pleasant in any sunshine. However, the weather is set to take a turn later on Friday evening as…

Detectives investigating a stabbing in Gabalfa, Cardiff, have arrested a 17-year-old boy. The suspect from Caerau, Cardiff, remains in custody on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent, possession of a knife, possession of cannabis with intent to supply, and assault by beating. The arrest is in connection with an incident in Lydstep Park which resulted in two local boys aged 16 and 17 being stabbed just before 7pm on Sunday, May 31 They received medical treatment at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, and have both now been discharged from hospital. During the arrest on Wednesday, June 3, a…