Latest news with #CeredigionCountyCouncil
Powys County Times
an hour ago
- Business
- Powys County Times
Nant yr Arian parking cameras bid on Powys border approved
Car parking cameras are to be installed at a former visitor centre near the Powys border despite pleas from campaigners battling to save it. The Bwlch Nant Yr Arian Visitor Centre, near Ponterwyd, Aberystwyth closed at the end of March, along with other Natural Resources Wales-run centres at Ynyslas and Coed y Brenin. At the time, Elsie Grace, NRW's head of sustainable commercial development, said: 'We understand how important our sites are to local communities and visitors and we know the decision to stop providing catering and retail services is disappointing to many people. 'Our board made the decision in response to the extremely tight funding situation we and other public bodies face. 'We will look for partners, both community groups and businesses, to register an interest in providing these services moving forward and will provide more information on how to submit expressions of interest ahead of the launch of any tender exercise. 'In the meantime, all our paths, trails, car park, play area and toilet facilities will remain open and we will continue to maintain our sites to ensure public access continues.' An application was recently submitted to Ceredigion County Council by NRW to install Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras at Bwlch Nant yr Arian. A supporting statement says: 'There is already a pay and display machine at the car park, and it is intended that the ANPR will replace this. The camera will be mounted on a pole, which is 4m above ground and finished in galvanised steel. Power will be taken from the existing Pay and Display machine.' Concerns were raised in a letter of objection by Helen Heron, of Save Our Centre Campaign Group, Ynyslas, comparing the situation there with Bwlch Nant yr Arian, urging the council to refuse the scheme. Helen, a former warden at Ynyslas, said parking money at the three sites was previously used to cover the cost of seasonal staff and maintenance but would now go 'straight into private pockets'. An officer report recommending approval said: 'An objection to the proposal was received by the Save Our Centre Campaign Group. Although [the council] appreciate the concerns, unfortunately the points raised in the objection letter are not planning matters, therefore they cannot be taken into account when determining this application.' It finished: 'The instalment of ANPR cameras will allow for better parking management and enforcement compared to the existing pay and display machine.'
North Wales Live
6 hours ago
- Automotive
- North Wales Live
Welsh council reviews all its 20mph roads and makes surprising decision
A Welsh council has reviewed its 20mph roads and made a decision that has divided opinion. Local authorities across the country are currently reviewing 20mph routes. This follows a change in guidance from Welsh Government on where exception roads - which can stay at 30mph - can be placed. It is expected to see a major increase in exception roads with the hope this will quell some of the dissent against the default limit that was introduced in September 2023. Ceredigion County Council said it has conducted a comprehensive review of the 20mph speed limits across the county. This saw them receive 62 individual comments. Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone They said of these 23 expressed support for the new 20mph limits, 20 expressed desires for a change to the national policy, 16 objected to existing 20mph limits on county roads, while eight referred directly to Welsh Government-managed Trunk Road locations, over which the Council has no jurisdiction. Ceredigion County Council reviewed 34 sections of road. All of the locations included in the review have been reassessed against the Welsh Government's 30mph exceptions guidance. The outcome of the review is that no further changes were identified, and the 20mph limits introduced on County Roads within Ceredigion in 2023 should remain. That decision has divided opinion on social media. One person unhappy at the decision wrote: "Are they trying to end the tourist trade around here? Who's going to choose Ceredigion as a holiday destination when there's a way above average chance of going home with 3 points on your licence? Or attending a 'speed awareness course' that you have to declare on your insurance renewal and your premium skyrockets just the same as if you had the 3 points." Another added: "Why should we be surprised that this self centred council have again done nothing for the people who live here. Doing nothing equates to 'can't be bothered'. They would rather spend money driving away tourism by building cycle paths on sea front parking!" But there was also support for the council's stance. One respondent said: "After many close calls (including kids waiting for a bus), and a death in our village I'm very pleased. People might not do exactly 20, but at least the majority aren't doing the 40-45 that used to be the case." Another said: "I think the 20mph is giving the villages back to pedestrians and children, people are safer walking around. Why should motorists feel as though they have the priority? Let the kids play out." Councillor Shelley Childs, Ceredigion's Cabinet Member responsible for Highways and Environmental, said: "The review was an opportunity to assess how closely the guidance from the Welsh Government was applied on county roads in Ceredigion. "Collision data recently released by the police and the Welsh Government suggests that the national change to the speed limit does seem to be reducing casualties on roads across Wales, and correspondence received during the review process suggests that the new 20mph limits are welcomed by many in the county. Although, the Council's review did not include any speed limit arrangements on the A487 and A44 Trunk Roads in Ceredigion since those are the direct responsibility of the Welsh Government."
Wales Online
6 hours ago
- Automotive
- Wales Online
Welsh council reviews all its 20mph roads and makes surprising decision
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A Welsh council has reviewed its 20mph roads and made a decision that has divided opinion. Local authorities across the country are currently reviewing 20mph routes. This follows a change in guidance from Welsh Government on where exception roads - which can stay at 30mph - can be placed. It is expected to see a major increase in exception roads with the hope this will quell some of the dissent against the default limit that was introduced in September 2023. Ceredigion County Council said it has conducted a comprehensive review of the 20mph speed limits across the county. This saw them receive 62 individual comments. Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone They said of these 23 expressed support for the new 20mph limits, 20 expressed desires for a change to the national policy, 16 objected to existing 20mph limits on county roads, while eight referred directly to Welsh Government-managed Trunk Road locations, over which the Council has no jurisdiction. Ceredigion County Council reviewed 34 sections of road. All of the locations included in the review have been reassessed against the Welsh Government's 30mph exceptions guidance. The outcome of the review is that no further changes were identified, and the 20mph limits introduced on County Roads within Ceredigion in 2023 should remain. That decision has divided opinion on social media. One person unhappy at the decision wrote: "Are they trying to end the tourist trade around here? Who's going to choose Ceredigion as a holiday destination when there's a way above average chance of going home with 3 points on your licence? Or attending a 'speed awareness course' that you have to declare on your insurance renewal and your premium skyrockets just the same as if you had the 3 points." Another added: "Why should we be surprised that this self centred council have again done nothing for the people who live here. Doing nothing equates to 'can't be bothered'. They would rather spend money driving away tourism by building cycle paths on sea front parking!" But there was also support for the council's stance. One respondent said: "After many close calls (including kids waiting for a bus), and a death in our village I'm very pleased. People might not do exactly 20, but at least the majority aren't doing the 40-45 that used to be the case." Another said: "I think the 20mph is giving the villages back to pedestrians and children, people are safer walking around. Why should motorists feel as though they have the priority? Let the kids play out." Councillor Shelley Childs, Ceredigion's Cabinet Member responsible for Highways and Environmental, said: "The review was an opportunity to assess how closely the guidance from the Welsh Government was applied on county roads in Ceredigion. "Collision data recently released by the police and the Welsh Government suggests that the national change to the speed limit does seem to be reducing casualties on roads across Wales, and correspondence received during the review process suggests that the new 20mph limits are welcomed by many in the county. Although, the Council's review did not include any speed limit arrangements on the A487 and A44 Trunk Roads in Ceredigion since those are the direct responsibility of the Welsh Government." Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
Pembrokeshire Herald
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Creative showcase: Year 8 pupils to perform at YPDVA Expressive Arts Festival
Council policy restricting bus access sparks rural backlash PARENTS across Ceredigion say they have been left 'blindsided' by a sudden change to school transport rules which restrict free bus travel to only the nearest secondary school — even when another school is just marginally further away. The new interpretation of the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure 2008 means children who live more than three miles from school are eligible for free transport — but only if that school is deemed the nearest 'suitable' one. The policy is being applied strictly, with families reporting that even a difference of half a mile between two schools is being used to deny access to school buses — despite places being offered and bus services already running past children's homes. Campaigners say the change, introduced without public consultation, has already forced some children to switch schools or make long and impractical journeys. A new grassroots group, Let Us Travel – Ceredigion, is calling on the council to pause enforcement and review the policy. Miesha Evans, whose son was due to attend Ysgol Aberteifi, said: 'There's a school bus that passes our house every morning with empty seats. My son has a place at the school, but now the council says he can't get on it — because another school is half a mile closer on paper. It's nonsense, and families like mine feel ignored.' A parent from Beulah added: 'We applied in good faith after attending open days and reading the bus timetables. Now we're being told our daughter can't even travel with her own sibling.' Other parents have highlighted cases where public buses are not a viable option due to cost, timing, or safety concerns. One campaigner said: 'There's a public bus from the town two miles away, but it leaves very early and doesn't return until after 5:00pm. That's not suitable for an 11-year-old girl — especially in winter.' Children already attending schools they've settled into — sometimes after transition days or friendship-building events — are now being asked to move to different schools based solely on distance. Ceredigion County Council has yet to release a formal public statement on the matter. However, it is understood the authority is enforcing the policy to ensure legal compliance with the Learner Travel Measure, which requires councils to provide transport only to the nearest suitable school, not necessarily the school of parental choice. A council spokesperson previously told The Herald on a related matter: 'We are obliged to apply national guidelines fairly and consistently to all families. Discretionary arrangements are reviewed on a case-by-case basis where exceptional circumstances apply.' The Learner Travel Measure does include exceptions — such as where routes are unsafe, or where a child has special educational needs or a disability. But campaigners argue these exceptions are not being applied flexibly enough in rural areas with poor public transport links. The campaign group is calling on the council to: Pause enforcement for pupils already offered a place Consider family links, such as siblings already attending Reintroduce discretion where no realistic alternative transport exists Local MP Ben Lake, Senedd Member Elin Jones, and several county councillors have been contacted by parents and are being urged to raise the issue urgently. A petition and Facebook campaign have gained momentum, with over 500 signatures in the first week. Until this year, the council routinely allowed access to school buses that passed through adjacent villages — even if they weren't serving the absolute nearest school. Buses will continue to carry older pupils under existing arrangements, but new Year 7 students in the same households may be barred from using them. Under the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, parents have the right to express a preference for which school their child attends. However, that does not guarantee free transport if the school chosen is not the nearest one judged suitable by the council. The Herald has asked Ceredigion County Council for a full statement in response to the campaign and will publish any update received.
Pembrokeshire Herald
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Parents in Ceredigion blindsided by school transport changes
Council policy restricting bus access sparks rural backlash PARENTS across Ceredigion say they have been left 'blindsided' by a sudden change to school transport rules which restrict free bus travel to only the nearest secondary school — even when another school is just marginally further away. The new interpretation of the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure 2008 means children who live more than three miles from school are eligible for free transport — but only if that school is deemed the nearest 'suitable' one. The policy is being applied strictly, with families reporting that even a difference of half a mile between two schools is being used to deny access to school buses — despite places being offered and bus services already running past children's homes. Campaigners say the change, introduced without public consultation, has already forced some children to switch schools or make long and impractical journeys. A new grassroots group, Let Us Travel – Ceredigion, is calling on the council to pause enforcement and review the policy. Miesha Evans, whose son was due to attend Ysgol Aberteifi, said: 'There's a school bus that passes our house every morning with empty seats. My son has a place at the school, but now the council says he can't get on it — because another school is half a mile closer on paper. It's nonsense, and families like mine feel ignored.' A parent from Beulah added: 'We applied in good faith after attending open days and reading the bus timetables. Now we're being told our daughter can't even travel with her own sibling.' Other parents have highlighted cases where public buses are not a viable option due to cost, timing, or safety concerns. One campaigner said: 'There's a public bus from the town two miles away, but it leaves very early and doesn't return until after 5:00pm. That's not suitable for an 11-year-old girl — especially in winter.' Children already attending schools they've settled into — sometimes after transition days or friendship-building events — are now being asked to move to different schools based solely on distance. Ceredigion County Council has yet to release a formal public statement on the matter. However, it is understood the authority is enforcing the policy to ensure legal compliance with the Learner Travel Measure, which requires councils to provide transport only to the nearest suitable school, not necessarily the school of parental choice. A council spokesperson previously told The Herald on a related matter: 'We are obliged to apply national guidelines fairly and consistently to all families. Discretionary arrangements are reviewed on a case-by-case basis where exceptional circumstances apply.' The Learner Travel Measure does include exceptions — such as where routes are unsafe, or where a child has special educational needs or a disability. But campaigners argue these exceptions are not being applied flexibly enough in rural areas with poor public transport links. The campaign group is calling on the council to: Pause enforcement for pupils already offered a place Consider family links, such as siblings already attending Reintroduce discretion where no realistic alternative transport exists Local MP Ben Lake, Senedd Member Elin Jones, and several county councillors have been contacted by parents and are being urged to raise the issue urgently. A petition and Facebook campaign have gained momentum, with over 500 signatures in the first week. Until this year, the council routinely allowed access to school buses that passed through adjacent villages — even if they weren't serving the absolute nearest school. Buses will continue to carry older pupils under existing arrangements, but new Year 7 students in the same households may be barred from using them. Under the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, parents have the right to express a preference for which school their child attends. However, that does not guarantee free transport if the school chosen is not the nearest one judged suitable by the council. The Herald has asked Ceredigion County Council for a full statement in response to the campaign and will publish any update received.
