Latest news with #ChrisThomas
Western Telegraph
4 days ago
- Business
- Western Telegraph
Farm plastics plan by NRW to cut River Cleddau pollution
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has set up drop-off centres within the rivers Cleddau, Teifi, Tywi and Usk catchment areas where farmers can drop off silage bale wrap, clamp cover sheeting, fertiliser and feed bags, and feed buckets. The scheme is supported by Agriculture Plastics Environment, Birch Farm Plastics and Afonydd Cymru, who will provide the service at a reduced rate compared to charges for on-farm collection. NRW wants to recycle an additional 200t of farm plastics through the trial scheme. Chris Thomas, senior land management officer at Four Rivers for Life, says farm plastics have been found in the Cleddau, Teifi and Tywi rivers. 'Rivers can only fully perform this function and support farmers if they are healthy and free from pollution and plastic waste,'' he said. Don't miss our next edition of Pembrokeshire Farmer, available free inside the Western Telegraph on July 30 A report in 2023 by non-governmental organisation Wrap found that the UK has an agri-plastic recycling rate of 20-30%, which is significantly lower than other European countries, including Germany, France and Ireland who have recycling rates of 65%, 80% and 90% respectively. These countries operate drop off centres and these significantly help farmers recycle their used farm plastics. In 2024, West Wales Rivers Trust (WWRT) carried out a survey of 100 farms to review current practices on the disposal of agricultural plastics in Carmarthenshire and across Wales. The results showed that cost was one of the main barriers preventing more farmers recycling their silage plastic waste. Cheryl Birch, director at Birch Farm Plastics, which is partnering NRW in the scheme, said the company's costs can be lower when collecting from drop-off centres and those savings can therefore be passed onto farmers. One of the dedicated drop-off sites is at Crymych. More information can be found at
BBC News
7 days ago
- BBC News
Flying Scotsman helps Bridgnorth get back on track
The world-famous Flying Scotsman steamed into Shropshire on Friday, marking the full reopening of one of the county's top tourist Severn Valley Railway (SVR) heritage line, which runs for 16 miles from Bridgnorth to Kidderminster in Worcestershire, had been blocked since January after a major had meant trains could only run from Kidderminster to Hampton Loade, leaving Bridgnorth without the financial boost that thousands of railway passengers bring to the town each to travel on board Flying Scotsman sold out within minutes and the locomotive was then booked for an extra day - with trips now happening from Friday to Monday. Bridgnorth's mayor David Cooper said there was a "strong identity" between the town and the railway. "It does draw a lot of people into the town and it's very much valued by businesses in the town, so we're very grateful that the services are back up and running," he said. Bridgnorth station master Chris Thomas said: "Everyone here has been waiting for this day, and it's marvellous to welcome our first full-line train this season. "During the long months of isolation we've worked hard to keep people coming here and carried out a lot of maintenance and improvement work to keep the station looking good. "But of course, nothing beats a fully joined up railway, and that's what we're celebrating today." SVR managing director Jonathan Dunster said: "Securing the iconic Flying Scotsman to haul our reopening train was the absolute icing on the cake."This is about championing the SVR's spirit of survival, and the many remarkable people associated with it that have helped to bring us to the point of reunifying our line." Because of the current high risk of lineside fires, a Class 20 diesel locomotive provided assistance to Flying Scotsman."The vegetation alongside our line is still very dry, and the last thing we want on this very special day is a spark from Flying Scotsman inadvertently starting a fire," said Mr Dunster."Placing the diesel directly behind the steam loco gives the best level of assistance, which is so important when the train is tackling the infamous incline of Eardington Bank." Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
South Wales Guardian
22-07-2025
- General
- South Wales Guardian
NRW launches scheme to tackle farm plastic pollution
The scheme, launching in south Wales, focuses on farm plastics that often end up in rivers, posing a threat to wildlife and water quality. It is part of the Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Four Rivers for LIFE project and is being delivered in partnership with Agriculture Plastics Environment (APE), Birch Farm Plastics, and Afonydd Cymru. Chris Thomas, senior land management officer for Four Rivers for LIFE, said: "Farm plastics have been found in the Teifi, Tywi and Cleddau rivers and contribute to the overall environmental issues affecting their health. "Healthy rivers support more than just farmers and the environment – they also help communities thrive and grow. "Rivers can only fully perform this function and support farmers if they are healthy and free from pollution and plastic waste." Farmers and landowners will be able to recycle plastics such as silage wrap at reduced cost at drop-off centres located across the Teifi, Tywi, Cleddau, and Usk river catchments. These rivers are designated Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) due to their international importance for species including salmon, lamprey, shad, and otters. Drop-off centres will be available at livestock markets and other sites in Talsarn near Lampeter, Crymych, Llandovery, Sennybridge, Raglan, and potentially Carmarthen. Ian Creasey of APE said: "Learning from successful markets in Europe, 'drop off centres' significantly help farmers in recycling their used farm plastics, and is a key focus of this trial. "This scheme is dedicated to supporting farmers to recycle their agricultural plastics, and by so doing help protect these rivers from potential plastics pollution." A 2023 report by WRAP found that the UK's agricultural plastic recycling rate is just 20 to 30 per cent, far lower than Germany (65 per cent), France (80 per cent), and Ireland (90 per cent). A survey conducted by West Wales Rivers Trust in 2024 revealed that cost remains one of the main barriers preventing farmers from recycling silage plastic waste. Cheryl Birch of Birch Farm Plastics said: "While we continue to collect directly from farms throughout Wales, by increasing the number of drop-off centres, we aim to increase the recycling rates of agricultural polythene and, through the collaboration with Four Rivers for LIFE and APE, provide a lower-cost option to farmers using the service." The Four Rivers for LIFE Project is funded by the EU LIFE Programme with support from the Welsh Government and Welsh Water. Details of eligible materials and drop-off locations are available at the Four Rivers for LIFE website.
South Wales Argus
22-07-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
New scheme hopes to tackle farm plastic pollution in rivers
The Natural Resources Wales Four Rivers for Life project is working with Agriculture Plastics Environment, Birch Farm Plastics and Afonydd Cymru to increase the collection and recycling rates of farm plastics. Farmers and landowners will be able to recycle their farm plastic at reduced cost at several centres across four river catchments: Usk, Teifi, Tywi, and Cleddau. The trial hopes to work with farmers and landowners to reduce the amount of farm plastics found in the rivers and improve their condition so wildlife like salmon, lamprey and otter can thrive. Chris Thomas, Four Rivers for Life senior land management officer said: 'Healthy rivers support more than just farmers and the environment - they also help communities thrive and grow. "Rivers can only fully perform this function and support farmers if they are healthy and free from pollution and plastic waste.' Gail Davies-Walsh, Afonydd Cymru chief executive, said: 'We are very pleased that this trial scheme is being brought to South Wales. "It follows on from a similar project run successfully by West Wales Rivers Trust last year, so we know the positive impacts it will have in terms of reducing the amount of agricultural plastic in rivers.' The Teifi, Tywi, Cleddau and Usk Rivers are classed as Special Areas of Conservation, meaning they are of international importance for the wildlife and plants that make them home, such as salmon, lamprey, shad, otters and water crowfoot. The Four Rivers for Life Project is funded by the EU Life Programme with support from Welsh Government and Welsh Water.
BBC News
17-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
'More work is needed' to meet Isle of Man climate change targets
The Manx government has made "important progress" on its climate change action plan but "more is needed" for the island to meet its targets, the environment minister has said. Clare Barber provided an update to Tynwald about how the government was trying to meet its objectives on how best to respond to issues associated with climate outlined the findings of this year's annual report - published in June - that was produced in accordance with the 2021 Climate Change said: "Important progress has been made but I acknowledge that more is needed to realise and maximise the co-benefits and savings of climate action for our island." She acknowledged that other political priorities had taken precedence in 2024, which had been "a challenging year for taking climate action".Despite this, Barber outlined a number of areas in which she said progress had been said residents were being supported to make their homes more energy efficient, and that further help would be offered later this minister added that, as of the start of this year, fossil fuel boilers could no longer be installed in new also said emissions and sustainability audits were being carried out for the airport and the TT festival. Barber added that work on a land management framework had continued during the last year. 'Absolutely committed' In a lengthy debate, Douglas Central MHK Chris Thomas praised the report's "honesty" but asked what the consequences would be "for being so far behind".Peel and Glenfaba member Kate Lord-Brennan said the targets were "just not achievable" and it was "time to re-evaluate" Arbory, Castletown and Malew MHK Tim Glover read out a long list of items in the report that had either not been started, put on hold or had missed them was banning the registration of new petrol and diesel cars on the island from 2030 and hybrid vehicles from 2035. These plans have been put on aim of the government's energy strategy to supply 100% of the island's electricity from carbon neutral sources by 2030 was labelled "at risk". Tynwald also heard that plans to deliver a strategy to take account of climate impacts - across all areas of society, economy and the natural environment - had not yet been started. These were among more than 26 examples outlined by Glover, which he said demonstrated "how far behind we are with actually meeting our obligations". 'Falling emissions' Not all parliamentary feedback was negative, of the Legislative Council Paul Craine described the government's overall plan as "very ambitious" and said "we should be celebrating that so many of these areas we [have] moved on".He said: "Emissions are down by 3.8%. Without our actions I'm sure they would've risen."In closing, Barber said it was important to "take the time to get decisions like this right" and, as a result, the government "may struggle with our time frames".She said there would be an update on the island's energy strategy towards the end of the minister said this "significant piece of the jigsaw" would be debated in Tynwald."The work is absolutely ongoing, the team are absolutely committed, and the co-benefits of action are absolutely clear," she voted to receive the report, with only three votes against do so in the House of Keys. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
