Latest news with #AlunDavies
Business News Wales
4 days ago
- Business News Wales
Barry Rail Depot Restored in Transport Upgrade
Passenger train drivers are once again based in Barry for the first time since the 1990s after work was completed on the depot there. The move sees the number of people working at the depot rise to 58. Transport for Wales took over the rail depot there in 2022 and have been proceeding to develop it alongside partners in Network Rail. From the May timetable change on 18 May, 39 drivers will now be based there alongside depot colleagues, cleaners and train crew managers. Most of the Class 756 and Class 231 fleets will be stabled there to serve the lines between Rhymney and Barry Island, as well as the Treherbert, Merthyr and Aberdare lines (until the Class 398 fleet enter service). Heavy maintenance and fuelling will continue to take place at Canton Depot in Cardiff. Depot Manager Alun Davies said: 'This is transformational for people and the area and is testament to the hard work of so many to make it happen. 'It's incredible to have the drivers coming back here. 'When we took the depot on it required a major clean up operation. We took a really joined up approach to it, putting safety and sustainability at the forefront, as well as looking ahead and planning for the future.' As part of the work a safe walking route has been installed between Barry town railway station and the depot. A sustainable well-being garden has also been created for staff and visitors, which also helps to support biodiversity around the depot. Barry depot had been built in the 1890s as part of the developments of the docks and railway. However it closed as a driver depot in the 1980s as British Rail looked to reorganise ahead of privatisation in the early 1990s. EWS had drivers based there until 1999. Prior to TFW takeover, John Buxton, Director of Cambrian Transport, operated out of the site since 2009. The depot, garden and crossing were officially opened to drivers at a special event where MS Jane Hutt, Vale of Glamorgan Council Leader Lis Burnett and several other key local stakeholders were given a tour of the depot.
South Wales Guardian
09-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Constitutional concerns don't stop Senedd backing data bill
Senedd members voted 39-11 in favour of consenting to the data use and access bill, which aims to make better use of data and boost the UK economy by £10bn over the next decade. But Plaid Cymru members and Labour backbenchers voiced concerns about powers in the bill for UK ministers to make laws in some areas already devolved to Wales. Alun Davies urged Welsh ministers to withdraw the legislative consent motion or LCM, the means by which the Senedd indicates support for UK laws on devolved matters. Referring to a speech by Eluned Morgan the same day, which put distance between Labour in Westminster and Cardiff Bay, Mr Davies said the bill fails a test set by the first minister. He told the Senedd: 'The first minister was very clear this morning in a speech that she made at the Norwegian church that where the devolved settlement is engaged, unless consent lies with Welsh ministers then consent would not be provided for UK legislation.' During the debate on May 6, the former minister – now a member of the Senedd's legislation committee – expressed concerns about the number of LCMs during this term. Mike Hedges, the Labour chair of the legislation committee, recommended granting consent but he remained dissatisfied by Welsh ministers 'conceding' constitutional concerns. Delyth Jewell, who chairs the Senedd's culture and communications committee, expressed concerns about the bill's potential impact on data sharing between the UK and EU. Rebecca Evans, Wales' economy secretary, pointed to amendments to strengthen the bill but she recognised the two governments were 'not aligned in the devolution analysis.' Recommending the Senedd supports the bill, which is mostly non-devolved, Ms Evans emphasised the importance of UK-wide regulations. Labour and the Conservatives supported the motion, with Plaid Cymru voting against and Welsh Lib Dem leader Jane Dodds abstaining. Under the non-binding Sewel convention, the UK Government would 'not normally' legislate in devolved areas without such consent.
Western Telegraph
08-05-2025
- Business
- Western Telegraph
Constitutional concerns don't stop Senedd backing data bill
Senedd members voted 39-11 in favour of consenting to the data use and access bill , which aims to make better use of data and boost the UK economy by £10bn over the next decade. But Plaid Cymru members and Labour backbenchers voiced concerns about powers in the bill for UK ministers to make laws in some areas already devolved to Wales. Alun Davies urged Welsh ministers to withdraw the legislative consent motion or LCM, the means by which the Senedd indicates support for UK laws on devolved matters. Referring to a speech by Eluned Morgan the same day, which put distance between Labour in Westminster and Cardiff Bay, Mr Davies said the bill fails a test set by the first minister. He told the Senedd: 'The first minister was very clear this morning in a speech that she made at the Norwegian church that where the devolved settlement is engaged, unless consent lies with Welsh ministers then consent would not be provided for UK legislation.' During the debate on May 6, the former minister – now a member of the Senedd's legislation committee – expressed concerns about the number of LCMs during this term. Mike Hedges, the Labour chair of the legislation committee, recommended granting consent but he remained dissatisfied by Welsh ministers 'conceding' constitutional concerns. Delyth Jewell, who chairs the Senedd's culture and communications committee, expressed concerns about the bill's potential impact on data sharing between the UK and EU. Rebecca Evans, Wales' economy secretary, pointed to amendments to strengthen the bill but she recognised the two governments were 'not aligned in the devolution analysis.' Recommending the Senedd supports the bill, which is mostly non-devolved, Ms Evans emphasised the importance of UK-wide regulations. Labour and the Conservatives supported the motion, with Plaid Cymru voting against and Welsh Lib Dem leader Jane Dodds abstaining. Under the non-binding Sewel convention, the UK Government would 'not normally' legislate in devolved areas without such consent.
South Wales Argus
08-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Constitutional concerns don't stop Senedd backing data bill
Senedd members voted 39-11 in favour of consenting to the data use and access bill , which aims to make better use of data and boost the UK economy by £10bn over the next decade. But Plaid Cymru members and Labour backbenchers voiced concerns about powers in the bill for UK ministers to make laws in some areas already devolved to Wales. Alun Davies urged Welsh ministers to withdraw the legislative consent motion or LCM, the means by which the Senedd indicates support for UK laws on devolved matters. Referring to a speech by Eluned Morgan the same day, which put distance between Labour in Westminster and Cardiff Bay, Mr Davies said the bill fails a test set by the first minister. He told the Senedd: 'The first minister was very clear this morning in a speech that she made at the Norwegian church that where the devolved settlement is engaged, unless consent lies with Welsh ministers then consent would not be provided for UK legislation.' During the debate on May 6, the former minister – now a member of the Senedd's legislation committee – expressed concerns about the number of LCMs during this term. Mike Hedges, the Labour chair of the legislation committee, recommended granting consent but he remained dissatisfied by Welsh ministers 'conceding' constitutional concerns. Delyth Jewell, who chairs the Senedd's culture and communications committee, expressed concerns about the bill's potential impact on data sharing between the UK and EU. Rebecca Evans, Wales' economy secretary, pointed to amendments to strengthen the bill but she recognised the two governments were 'not aligned in the devolution analysis.' Recommending the Senedd supports the bill, which is mostly non-devolved, Ms Evans emphasised the importance of UK-wide regulations. Labour and the Conservatives supported the motion, with Plaid Cymru voting against and Welsh Lib Dem leader Jane Dodds abstaining. Under the non-binding Sewel convention, the UK Government would 'not normally' legislate in devolved areas without such consent.
Daily Mirror
04-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Tiny UK seaside village with once thriving harbour now a hidden gem
The small hamlet of Porthgain offers tourists a wonderful holiday destination off the beaten track with cultural touchstones and some amazingly fresh fish and chips A tiny seaside village with a once-thriving harbour is now a hidden gem that offers the perfect holiday destination for visitors. Hugging the Pembrokeshire coastline is the coastal hamlet of Porthgain, a once-thriving harbour village that is now considered a hidden gem that has plenty to offer visitors despite its smaller size. Tucked into a small valley that faces the Irish Sea, Porthgain is protected by a rugged coastline. As its time as a harbour faded over time, new industries and attractions have emerged to keep a steady influx of tourists visiting the area. Today visitors to the small hamlet can enjoy the local Harbour Lights Galley which vows to bring "the best of Welsh art" to the area. "There is a wonderful mixture of styles and mediums available from some of the best artists Wales has to offer," Welsh Slate Water Features said on its website. "Interestingly the Gallery is located in what was once the manager's office for Porthgain brickworks." Pembrokshire local Alun Davies has also opened his own gallery in the village that features his own artwork. "His love of Pembrokeshire is evident in his beautiful landscape paintings which capture the essence of the Welsh coastline and countryside," the website added. "Alun's beautiful Pyrenean mountain dog Sion is a local celebrity and a visit to Porthgain wouldn't be complete with giving Sion a fuss." After taking in the scenic beauty of the area, visitors can tuck into Fish and Chips from the Shed Bistro that offers fresh local fish caught that day and cooked just yards away from the sea. Though, make sure you are keeping an eye out for seagulls. The history of Porthgain stretches through the centuries, according to the website and offers a treasure trove of cultural touchstones for people curious to know more about that region of Wales. The website said: "In the early 1900s the harbour was extended to allow more and bigger ships in for loading and the Ty Mawr brickworks were built to manufacture bricks out of waste material from the quarry. "This included a continuously burning Hoffman Kiln for burning the bricks. Production shifted from 1912 to 1931 into crushed road stone, and this was used for road surfaces all over the UK. The crushed dolerite stone is a similar material to the bluestones found at Stonehenge. Mining and industrial works in general ceased at the location in the 1930s." Those wanting to visit Porthgain can make their way from both St David and nearby Fishuard. A shuttle bus that operates with hikers is also available for those wanting to make their way to the hamlet. Those able to drive out to the village can also make use of free parking in the centre of the hamlet.
