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The Star
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Fierce backlash against proposed Road Accident Benefit Scheme Bill following RAF board dissolution
The Department of Transport's move to revive the long-rejected Road Accident Benefit Scheme (RABS) Bill has sparked concerns, following Minister Barbara Creecy's announcement that she has dissolved the Road Accident Fund (RAF) Board due to ongoing governance and operational failures. Creecy, who recently took over the transport portfolio, said the dissolution was necessary to stabilise the RAF and restore its ability to fulfil its mandate. She also confirmed the department's intention to finalise the Road Accident Benefits Scheme (RABS) Bill, a move that various organisations say is both undemocratic and dangerous. The department explained that the RABS Bill seeks to replace the current fault-based compensation model with a no-fault system, removing the need for costly legal processes. Civil society organisations, legal experts, and advocacy groups, many of whom have fought against the bill for years, have condemned its reintroduction. Among them is the Association for the Protection of Road Accident Victims (APRAV), which warned that pushing the bill forward again is a direct affront to democracy. 'Parliament has rejected RABS three times already,' said APRAV Deputy Chairperson and spokesperson Ngoako Mohlaloga. 'The continued attempt to revive it is either deliberate ignorance or a strategic attempt to bypass the will of the people.' APRAV Chairperson Pieter de Bruyn said the bill was rejected not only by lawmakers but also by road accident victims, legal professionals, disability rights groups, and medical experts. 'RABS would have stripped victims of their right to legal recourse, capped compensation, and imposed rigid limitations,' he said. 'It was unworkable and unjust, and its continued reappearance shows this is about pushing a political agenda, not real reform.' APRAV also pointed out that it led a two-year national consultation process that resulted in a credible and workable alternative to RABS, one that would fix the RAF without violating constitutional rights or collapsing the public purse. Legal expert Kirstie Haslam, a personal injury attorney and partner at DSC Attorneys, told Independent Media that the RABS Bill fails to tackle the real problems at the RAF, namely, poor management, inefficiency, and lack of accountability. 'RABS replaces a broken system with another flawed one,' Haslam said. 'It doesn't fix the root causes of RAF's dysfunction, and worse, it strips victims of access to justice by capping payouts and removing the right to claim for general damages.' She also added that the bill's attempt to limit legal oversight raises serious constitutional concerns and could face court challenges if passed in its current form. Haslam further highlighted troubling trends in the RAF's finances, which, although improved, have come at a cost. The RAF's 2023/2024 annual report shows the deficit has dropped from R8.43 billion to R1.59 billion, but partly due to reduced medical and loss-of-earnings payouts. Despite the tightening of spending, courts continue to issue significant awards. She revealed a series of recent payouts, such as in April, when a woman received over R4.6 million following the death of her husband in a motorcycle accident. That same month, another claimant, Seronica Nathram, was awarded nearly R3.9 million for injuries sustained in a crash. Another case involving the Road Accident Fund that commanded attention involved 16-year-old Ashwell Bernard Jones, where the Western Cape High Court awarded Jones just under R4,979,832 for future loss of earnings. He was only eight years old when he sustained a serious brain injury after being hit by a vehicle while riding his bicycle in Lavender Hill in 2017. The court ordered the RAF to cover all legal costs, including expert fees, travel expenses, and the possible appointment of a curator to manage the funds. The RAF was given 180 days to make payment, or interest will begin to accrue. While many groups remain opposed to the revival of RABS, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has backed the minister, calling the RAF a 'disaster site' with liabilities exceeding R400 billion. 'The RAF has become dysfunctional and has failed working-class South Africans for too long,' COSATU said in a statement. 'It's time for bold reform.' Responding to questions, the RAF Head of Corporate Communications, McIntosh Polela, said the RABS Bill is being revisited to address longstanding issues in the current RAF Act. 'The RABS Bill aims to reduce litigation, cut high administrative costs, and accelerate claim finalisation,' the fund said. 'It is part of a broader strategy led by the Department of Transport to ease the pressure on the courts and better serve road accident victims.' [email protected] Saturday Star
Wales Online
08-07-2025
- Wales Online
The ‘otherworldly beach' with romantic ruins that's just 40 minutes from Cardiff
The 'otherworldly beach' with romantic ruins that's just 40 minutes from Cardiff This fossil-rich beach is packed with rock pools and geological wonders, and it was designated as a part of the Heritage Coast in 1972. If this ethereal-looking beach looks familiar, it's because you may have spotted it on the beloved BBC series Doctor Who (Image: South Wales Echo ) Wales' craggy coastline is amongst the most beautiful in the world and has a vast range of sandy shores, secluded bays and pebble-strewn beaches with clear waters for swimming. From Pembrokeshire's golden sand beaches and tiny coves to the windswept Llŷn Peninsula and the Vale of Glamorgan's Jurassic coastline, you are truly spoiled for choice here. It's no surprise then that eight Welsh beaches have been crowned among the best in the UK in The Times' annual Best UK Beaches guide for 2025. The 17th edition of the highly anticipated list was compiled by chief travel writer Chris Haslam, who visited and inspected 756 beaches across the UK. The criteria encompassed water quality, cleanliness, accessibility, car parking facilities, lifeguard presence, hygiene standards at toilets and showers, and dog-friendliness. One of the Welsh beaches on the list is described as "otherworldly" and is just a 40-minute drive from Cardiff. Dunraven, a secluded fossil-rich beach in Southerndown, is packed with rock pools and geological wonders, and it was designated as a part of the Heritage Coast in 1972. Article continues below Located on the highly underrated Glamorgan Heritage Coast, which stretches from Aberthaw to Porthcawl, this 14-mile expanse offers an unspoilt coastline marked by Jurassic features and waymarked trails that meander through charming villages, rural farmland, and secluded bays. Haslam writes that this stretch of coastline "bears comparison with geological wonders such as the Giant's Causeway in Co Antrim and Lulworth Cove in Dorset — but without the crowds." (Image: Wales on Sunday ) Haslam writes that this stretch of coastline "bears comparison with geological wonders such as the Giant's Causeway in Co Antrim and Lulworth Cove in Dorset — but without the crowds." He adds, "at Dunraven Bay (also known as Southerndown beach) you'll find a millefeuille of carboniferous limestone and blue lias — layers of limestone and shale — overhanging a beach paved flatter than your patio." Dunraven Bay has a large car park and visitor facilities and is also designated a 'Seaside Award' beach. The Seaside Award is the national standard for the best beaches across the UK. If this ethereal-looking beach looks familiar, it's because you may have spotted it on the beloved BBC series Doctor Who. Whovians (Doctor Who fans) will likely know this spot as 'Bad Wolf Bay', as the beach played a starring role in several episodes. The most memorable scene was the tearful farewell between the Doctor (David Tennant) and companion Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) in Doomsday. It was also featured in the Time of Angels episode, featuring Matt Smith as the Doctor, Alex Kingston as River Song, and Karen Gillan as Amy Pond in a scene filmed at Southerndown. Doctor Who filming on the rocky beach of Southerndown,The Vale of Glamorgan (Image: Wales Online ) It's not just a scenic location, however. According to the Vale of Glamorgan website (VOG), the unique beach has a long history. People lived in and occupied Dunraven as far back as the Iron Age when the cliff-top location was thought to have been used as a trading post. Much later, the Romans built a fort here, which was later replaced by a manor house in the 1700s. Lastly, a residence known as Dunraven Castle was later transformed into a convalescent hospital during the two World Wars. Sadly, the 'castle' was demolished in 1963, and what remained of the site was the castle's walled garden, gatehouse and several other structures. Now part of the Glamorgan Heritage Coast, the romantic remains are designated Grade II on the Cadw/ICOMOS Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales, which curious tourists and locals can enjoy. To find out more about what Dunraven may have looked like as an Iron Age trading post or to take a tour of Dunraven Castle, download the VOG app and then visit Dunraven and watch sites come to life on your smartphone or tablet. For the latest Bridgend news, sign up to our newsletter here. Nearby, the Glamorgan Heritage Coast Centre has plenty of information about the local area. The interactive information stations allow you to learn more about the coastline, its geology, the history of Dunraven Park, and the flora and fauna unique to the Heritage Coast. The centre is open to groups by appointment only, and you can contact them to arrange. Hikers will also love this acclaimed beach and the surrounding coast paths along the Heritage Coast. (Image: John Myers / WalesOnline ) Hikers will also love this acclaimed beach and the surrounding coast paths along the Heritage Coast. Walkers can attempt to walk the entire Heritage Coastline or take on one of the shorter walks or loop trails. A series of marked and numbered Vale Trails takes you through coastal and countryside routes with the most scenic views and historical features. Many of the short walks in the Vale include various heritage and maritime points of interest, including the last manned lighthouse in Wales, a Neolithic Tinkinswood Burial Chamber, churches, and castles. The Vale Trail One takes walkers eight miles along the coast with highlights including Merthyr Mawr sand dunes, Ogmore Castle, Ogmore Down, and the Dunraven Castle and Walled Garden. As you trace the shoreline above Dunraven Bay, you'll have one of the best views along the entire Glamorgan Heritage Coast. Article continues below
North Wales Chronicle
07-07-2025
- North Wales Chronicle
North Wales beaches among UK's best in The Times 2025 guide
The 2025 guide was compiled by The Times' chief travel writer, Chris Haslam, who visited 756 beaches and 51 resorts across the UK and Northern Ireland. Introducing the list, Mr Haslam said: "[The fact] that I completed this tour of inspection under mainly blue skies made choosing the top 50 — ten of which are new entries — even harder. "If it feels like I've moved away from easily-accessed urban shores to include more rural beaches, that's because the glitter seems tarnished in too many of our resort towns. "I've seen businesses struggling with rising costs, councils cutting budgets and water quality falling as infrastructure has failed to keep pace with population growth. "That's not true of all town beaches though: Bude, Frinton on Sea, Roker, Saundersfoot and Skegness made the top 50, and others including Cromer, Felixstowe, Torquay and Mumbles came close. "The truth remains, though, that our coast is still the most beautiful and most varied on earth, and there's much to discover beyond the most obvious spots. "So pack a picnic and the factor 50 and make 2025 the summer of the beach that's a little harder to reach." See which Welsh beaches featured among the UK's best in the 2025 edition of The Times and Sunday Times Best Beaches Guide. (Image: Getty Images) The beaches in Wales ranked among the best in the UK, according to The Times, are: Shell Island, located in Llanbedr, was voted Wales' Beach of the Year by The Times. The Gwynedd beach was commended for a range of things, including its views past Harlech to Eryri National Park and across Cardigan Bay to the Llyn Peninusla. Shell Island also boasts "one of Europe's biggest campsites" with 300 acres of fields, where pitches range from "convenient" to "wild" and from beachside to woodland. Day visits are £10 per car and camping pitches are £13 per person (in high season). A post shared by S🌟P⭐️A🌟R⭐K🌟L⭐E (@sparkle_my_soul) Chris Haslam from The Times said: 'I knew Shell Island was a winner when I parked up beside the dunes. "I could see Eryri (Snowdon) to the north, the Llyn Peninsular to the west and, right in front, a beach of flat sand that glittered with seashells. "I could have spent a very happy week camping here.' There is plenty more to like about Shell Island, The Times added. The news outlest explained: "At the northern end, around the harbour, the shore is rocky — turning to flat, sugar-soft sand as you head south "The beachcombing is astonishing: perfect scallops, fragile tusks and razors, unblemished turitellas and, most prized by conchologists, tiny cowries." It is worth checking the tide times before visiting, as the island is cut off for two hours each day during high tide. Shell Island is also dog-friendly and has a café and toilet facilities. The Llyn Peninsula is an amazing place to visit, according to The Times, and there are plenty of "joys" just waiting for people to come and visit. The news outlet explained: "It's home to Britain's best campsite (Bert's Kitchen Garden in Trefor); arguably our best small brewery (Cwrw Llyn in Nefyn); and Wales's most famous pub (Ty Coch, accessible only on foot, on the beach at Porthdinllaen). "Here you'll also screech along the UK's most musical beach (Porthor — aka Whistling Sands — where the grains are so fine they squeak underfoot), and find an Italianate village that belongs in the Cinque Terre (Portmeirion). "This coast is like Cornwall in the 1930s." In the southernmost corner of the Llyn beaches, you will find Aberdaron. When was the last time you visited Aberdaron? (Image: Getty Images) "A bend of sand a mile wide sheltered by the Mynydd Mawr peninsula, crossed by the River Daron and overlooked by the dining terrace of the delightful Gwesty Ty Newydd hotel," The Times continued. "The left-hand end of the beach, the only part where dogs are welcome, is the prettiest." The water quality at Aberdaron beach is rated excellent, while there are also toilets and a café. It's not just the experts who think highly of Aberdaron beach, but visitors as well, with it boasting a 4.5 rating (out of 5) on Tripadvisor from 93 reviews. One person, commenting about their beach experience, said: "On my own I really enjoy seeing the children, families and so many happy dogs interacting. There is [also] a dog free area. "The sea is safe, shallow entry. Beach was a gritty sand, comfortable to walk on, easy to clean off." When it comes to the best beaches in the UK, Traeth Llanddwyn, located on the south-west corner of Anglesey, is usually always on the list. And it's easy to see why. Ynys Llanddwyn boasts six "candy coves" and views of Eryri National Park and the Llyn Peninsula. (Image: Patrick Glover) It is described as a "fairytale" beach by The Times and "magical" by visitors on Tripadvisor, where it boasts a near-perfect 4.8 rating from 578 reviews. The Times said: "After driving through the dark depths of the Newborough Forest you'll come to a three-mile beach. "To your right, you'll see Llandwyn Island with two white towers, two stone crosses and a ruined church. "The former are old lighthouses; the latter are dedicated to St Dwynwen, a 5th-century princess who pledged her life to God here on Ynys Llanddwyn after suffering a broken heart. RECOMMENDED READING: Secret North Wales beach named among the best in the UK and a must-visit North Wales village with 'scenic' pub and secret beach among UK's most beautiful 'Vibrant' seaside town in North Wales among the UK's best to move to in 2025 "She is now Wales's patron saint of lovers — honoured on her feast day of January 25 — and there's an awful lot to love about her island: six sandy coves and views of Eryri and the Llyn, seen as though across an enchanted lake." The water quality is rated excellent, there are toilet facilities, and it is dog-friendly. There is also often a good truck in the car park called Y Pantri Bach.
South Wales Argus
07-07-2025
- South Wales Argus
South Wales beaches among UK's best in The Times 2025 guide
The 2025 guide was compiled by The Times' chief travel writer, Chris Haslam, who visited 756 beaches and 51 resorts across the UK and Northern Ireland. Introducing the list, Mr Haslam said: "[The fact] that I completed this tour of inspection under mainly blue skies made choosing the top 50 — ten of which are new entries — even harder. "If it feels like I've moved away from easily-accessed urban shores to include more rural beaches, that's because the glitter seems tarnished in too many of our resort towns. Best-rated UK beaches for 2025 - Tripadvisor rankings "I've seen businesses struggling with rising costs, councils cutting budgets and water quality falling as infrastructure has failed to keep pace with population growth. "That's not true of all town beaches though: Bude, Frinton on Sea, Roker, Saundersfoot and Skegness made the top 50, and others including Cromer, Felixstowe, Torquay and Mumbles came close. "The truth remains, though, that our coast is still the most beautiful and most varied on earth, and there's much to discover beyond the most obvious spots. "So pack a picnic and the factor 50 and make 2025 the summer of the beach that's a little harder to reach." See which Welsh beaches featured among the UK's best in the 2025 edition of The Times and Sunday Times Best Beaches Guide. (Image: Getty Images) The Welsh beaches among the UK's best The beaches in Wales ranked among the best in the UK, according to The Times, are: Wales' Beach of the Year : Shell Island, Gwynedd : Shell Island, Gwynedd Dunraven Bay, Glamorgan Three Cliffs Bay, Glamorgan Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire Whitesands, Pembrokeshire Mwnt, Ceredigion Aberdaron, Gwynedd Traeth Llanddwyn, Gwynedd The 2 South Wales beaches among the UK's best Dunraven Bay Beach-goers in south Wales often travel to Gower or Pembrokeshire in search of the perfect spot. However, The Times recommends looking at Glamorgan's Heritage Coast for the best beach - Dunraven Bay. The news outlet explained: "If you've sped past en route to the Gower or Pembrokeshire you've missed a stretch of the Welsh coast that bears comparison with geological wonders such as the Giant's Causeway in Co Antrim and Lulworth Cove in Dorset — but without the crowds. "At Dunraven Bay (also known as Southerndown beach) you'll find a millefeuille of carboniferous limestone and blue lias — layers of limestone and shale — overhanging a beach paved flatter than your patio. "It's an otherworldly beach, as good for fossil hunting as it is for simply admiring the views across the Bristol Channel, and if it seems vaguely familiar, that's because it's played the part of several planets in Doctor Who." The water quality at Dunraven Bay is rated "excellent", the beach is dog friendly, and there is a café and toilets. It also comes highly recommended by visitors, boasting a 4.5 rating (out of 5) on Tripadvisor from 217 reviews. One person, commenting about their experience at Dunraven Bay, said: "Beautiful bay and not too busy. "Somewhat close to Devon but without the crowds. A real gem. Lots of space to walk and play. I would love to return." When was the last time you visited Dunraven Bay? (Image: Getty Images) Three Cliffs Bay Three Cliffs Bay also featured in the 2025 edition of The Times and Sunday Times Best Beaches Guide. The south Wales beach has been described by visitors as "unforgettable", "breathtaking" and "stunning" on Tripadvisor, where it boasts a near-perfect 4.8 rating from 764 reviews. The Times said for those planning a trip to Three Cliffs Bay, securing SE1 (available from £52) at the Three Cliffs Bay Holiday Park on the Gower peninsula was a must. Three Cliff Bay is described as "breathtaking" by visitors. (Image: Tripadvisor) The news outlet explained: "By my reckoning pitch SE1 at the Three Cliffs Bay Holiday Park on the Gower peninsula is the best in the nation: 50 yards from the ablutions, flat, protected from the prevailing wind, and blessed with the best beach view in the country. "From here you'll have an uninterrupted drone's-eye view of the magnificence of Three Cliffs Bay, with the wide waters of the Pennard Pill snaking across the sands to the left, the crags of Penmaen Burrows, where the lost village of Stedwarlango is thought to be buried, on the right and the dragon-tooth spikes of the Three Cliffs in front. RECOMMENDED READING: "I've timed the walk from the campsite to the beach and it's 16 minutes." For those coming from the car park on the A4118, it's a 22-minute walk. Three Cliffs Bay Beach is also dog-friendly.
Leader Live
07-07-2025
- Leader Live
North Wales beaches among UK's best in The Times 2025 guide
The 2025 guide was compiled by The Times' chief travel writer, Chris Haslam, who visited 756 beaches and 51 resorts across the UK and Northern Ireland. Introducing the list, Mr Haslam said: "[The fact] that I completed this tour of inspection under mainly blue skies made choosing the top 50 — ten of which are new entries — even harder. "If it feels like I've moved away from easily-accessed urban shores to include more rural beaches, that's because the glitter seems tarnished in too many of our resort towns. "I've seen businesses struggling with rising costs, councils cutting budgets and water quality falling as infrastructure has failed to keep pace with population growth. "That's not true of all town beaches though: Bude, Frinton on Sea, Roker, Saundersfoot and Skegness made the top 50, and others including Cromer, Felixstowe, Torquay and Mumbles came close. "The truth remains, though, that our coast is still the most beautiful and most varied on earth, and there's much to discover beyond the most obvious spots. "So pack a picnic and the factor 50 and make 2025 the summer of the beach that's a little harder to reach." See which Welsh beaches featured among the UK's best in the 2025 edition of The Times and Sunday Times Best Beaches Guide. (Image: Getty Images) The beaches in Wales ranked among the best in the UK, according to The Times, are: Shell Island, located in Llanbedr, was voted Wales' Beach of the Year by The Times. The Gwynedd beach was commended for a range of things, including its views past Harlech to Eryri National Park and across Cardigan Bay to the Llyn Peninusla. Shell Island also boasts "one of Europe's biggest campsites" with 300 acres of fields, where pitches range from "convenient" to "wild" and from beachside to woodland. Day visits are £10 per car and camping pitches are £13 per person (in high season). A post shared by S🌟P⭐️A🌟R⭐K🌟L⭐E (@sparkle_my_soul) Chris Haslam from The Times said: 'I knew Shell Island was a winner when I parked up beside the dunes. "I could see Eryri (Snowdon) to the north, the Llyn Peninsular to the west and, right in front, a beach of flat sand that glittered with seashells. "I could have spent a very happy week camping here.' There is plenty more to like about Shell Island, The Times added. The news outlest explained: "At the northern end, around the harbour, the shore is rocky — turning to flat, sugar-soft sand as you head south "The beachcombing is astonishing: perfect scallops, fragile tusks and razors, unblemished turitellas and, most prized by conchologists, tiny cowries." It is worth checking the tide times before visiting, as the island is cut off for two hours each day during high tide. Shell Island is also dog-friendly and has a café and toilet facilities. The Llyn Peninsula is an amazing place to visit, according to The Times, and there are plenty of "joys" just waiting for people to come and visit. The news outlet explained: "It's home to Britain's best campsite (Bert's Kitchen Garden in Trefor); arguably our best small brewery (Cwrw Llyn in Nefyn); and Wales's most famous pub (Ty Coch, accessible only on foot, on the beach at Porthdinllaen). "Here you'll also screech along the UK's most musical beach (Porthor — aka Whistling Sands — where the grains are so fine they squeak underfoot), and find an Italianate village that belongs in the Cinque Terre (Portmeirion). "This coast is like Cornwall in the 1930s." In the southernmost corner of the Llyn beaches, you will find Aberdaron. When was the last time you visited Aberdaron? (Image: Getty Images) "A bend of sand a mile wide sheltered by the Mynydd Mawr peninsula, crossed by the River Daron and overlooked by the dining terrace of the delightful Gwesty Ty Newydd hotel," The Times continued. "The left-hand end of the beach, the only part where dogs are welcome, is the prettiest." The water quality at Aberdaron beach is rated excellent, while there are also toilets and a café. It's not just the experts who think highly of Aberdaron beach, but visitors as well, with it boasting a 4.5 rating (out of 5) on Tripadvisor from 93 reviews. One person, commenting about their beach experience, said: "On my own I really enjoy seeing the children, families and so many happy dogs interacting. There is [also] a dog free area. "The sea is safe, shallow entry. Beach was a gritty sand, comfortable to walk on, easy to clean off." When it comes to the best beaches in the UK, Traeth Llanddwyn, located on the south-west corner of Anglesey, is usually always on the list. And it's easy to see why. Ynys Llanddwyn boasts six "candy coves" and views of Eryri National Park and the Llyn Peninsula. (Image: Patrick Glover) It is described as a "fairytale" beach by The Times and "magical" by visitors on Tripadvisor, where it boasts a near-perfect 4.8 rating from 578 reviews. The Times said: "After driving through the dark depths of the Newborough Forest you'll come to a three-mile beach. "To your right, you'll see Llandwyn Island with two white towers, two stone crosses and a ruined church. "The former are old lighthouses; the latter are dedicated to St Dwynwen, a 5th-century princess who pledged her life to God here on Ynys Llanddwyn after suffering a broken heart. RECOMMENDED READING: Secret North Wales beach named among the best in the UK and a must-visit North Wales village with 'scenic' pub and secret beach among UK's most beautiful 'Vibrant' seaside town in North Wales among the UK's best to move to in 2025 "She is now Wales's patron saint of lovers — honoured on her feast day of January 25 — and there's an awful lot to love about her island: six sandy coves and views of Eryri and the Llyn, seen as though across an enchanted lake." The water quality is rated excellent, there are toilet facilities, and it is dog-friendly. There is also often a good truck in the car park called Y Pantri Bach.
